Board of Directors
Jill Dashner, Chair | Cedar Falls

Jill lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and is the Assistant County Attorney for Bremer County.  Jill is an active member of St John Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls. When time allows, she enjoys fostering rescue dogs and being active in her neighborhood.  She belongs to a book club, and loves camping, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family. In her line of work, Jill sees many young people follow the wrong path simply because it is the only path presented to them. She is proud to represent organizations like Girl Scouts, with the ability to empower young women to envision a different direction.

Teresa Colgan, Vice Chair | Burlington

Teresa is the Chief Clinical Officer for Great River Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa,  and has been volunteering with Girl Scouts for 35 years, starting as the camp nurse at Camp L-Kee-Ta.  She did a wide range of volunteer roles and in 1999, began her tenure as a member of the Board of Directors for Shining Trail Council.  She became Shining Trail Council President in 2003.  Teresa co-chaired the Realignment Committee during our realignment and continued offering her leadership on a multitude of projects including strategic planning and performance excellence. Our council has prospered under her creative, strong and steady leadership.


Mary Ann Brown, Treasurer | Burlington

Mary Ann Brown retired as a district court judge in the 8th Judicial District of Iowa after 20 years on the bench. She continues to work on a part time basis as a senior judge. Prior to her retirement she also served as the Chief Judge of the 8th Judicial District for 9 years . Before taking the bench she served as a prosecutor in the Des Moines County Attorney’s office and was in private practice with the firm of Bauer, Schulte, Hahn, Swanson and Brown, in Burlington, Iowa.

Over the years she has volunteered for several local community organizations such as the Burlington Library Board of Trustees, Burlington/West Burlington United Way, and Burlington/West Burlington Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on several Iowa Bar Association and Iowa Supreme Court committees.

Mary Ann is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts. She was a girl scout as a child. As an adult she has served in many volunteer positions over the years including Cadette troop leader, long time member of the board of directors for Shining Trail Council and president of the board for six years. She most recently has served on the by-laws and finance committees for GSEIWI.


Anne Ryerson, Secretary | Geneseo

Anne is the Manager of Product Safety and Compliance for John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group.  In this role she leads a global team of engineers working to ensure safety and compliance of John Deere electronic products. An electrical engineer, Anne has experience in product development, electronics design, and product safety in her 20 years at John Deere.  She is a Gold Award recipient, lifetime member of Girl Scouts, and has been a member of the GSEIWI Board of Directors since 2013.

Anne is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. She has many years of experience leading STEM outreach and youth programs, including FIRST Lego League, John Deere Inspire, and the Society of Women Engineers.  A mother to three boys, she is also a Cub Scout den leader.

Chelsea Hillman | Davenport

Chelsea is the Managing Director, Professional Programs at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. In this role, she leads the Student Experience team in supporting over 2,300 part-time, working professional graduate students. Prior to working at the University of Iowa, Chelsea spent 10+ years in various marketing roles in large corporate and small business settings. Chelsea earned her BBA in Marketing & Management, MBA, and Leadership certificate from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.

She is passionate about building community and has previously held leadership volunteer positions for Iowa Women Lead Change (fka The Women’s Connection), The PR Network of the Quad Cities, Young Professionals of the Quad Cities (fka The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities), the American Heart Association Go Red for Women, and various other non-profit organizations.

Chelsea is a third generation Girl Scout who spent her girl years in Muscatine, IA, was a former troop leader in Geneseo, IL, and is a current Lifetime Member, National Delegate (56th National Council Session), Board Member, and volunteer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, fishing, reading, crocheting, and playing board games with her family and friends.

Tracy Schwind | Davenport

Tracy Schwind is Senior Vice President, Chief Experience Officer at Northwest Bank & Trust Company. In addition to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Tracy currently serves on the board of the Figge Art Museum and is a Lead(h)er Mentor. Tracy enjoys volunteering in the community including having served on the boards of the Davenport Public Library, Common Chord, Davenport Schools Foundation and Women Lead Change Quad Cities Women Connect. Tracy is a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts and has loved every step of being part of Girl Scouts along the way.

Laura L. (Divot) Ekizian | Quad Cities

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Laura ‘Divot’ Ekizian came to the Quad Cities to attend St. Ambrose University. Upon graduating with a degree in Mass Communications, she became the head coach of the SAU Women’s Golf Team, a position she held for 10 years. While serving as Women’s Golf Coach, Divot worked for the University as the Director of Alumni and Parent Relations and earned her Master’s in Business Administration.

In 2000, she accepted a position with Quad City Bank & Trust and began her banking career as a Private Banking Officer focused on building strong relationships with her clients. She now serves as President and Chief Relationship Officer, overseeing the private banking, consumer and residential lending, retail and marketing departments.

Divot is an active advocate for the Quad City community, serving as a member of the board of directors for Quad City Arts, Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Quad City Health Initiative, Davenport Country Club and Community Bankers of Iowa. She is a past board member of the John Deere Classic and served as the volunteer Chair in 2014.

Andrew Abbott | Waterloo, Iowa

Andrew Carl Abbott is the President of Abbott Law Office, P.C., as well as a Judicial Magistrate for Black Hawk County – District 1B. As a Magistrate, he regularly deals with attorneys hailing from all over the State of Iowa and, most times, handling pro se individuals that are seeking justice through the legal system or need direction with regards to how to resolve their situations. Andrew is also an emergency contact for mental health and substance-related disorder 48 hour holds in Black Hawk County. He has experienced a wide range of areas of legal practice, focusing on general practice. Most recently, his focus has been on both the civil and criminal aspects of law, with more of an emphasis on family law and juvenile law.  He continues to maintain a contract with the State Public Defender’s Office to provide services for those in need.

He is active in the community as a member of the housing corporation, board member of the African American Historical and Cultural Museum, and member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Tim Conlon | Dubuque

Timothy J. Conlon is the President and CEO of Conlon Construction Co., a 117-year-old-company founded by his grandfather in 1903. Tim has 50 years of experience in all aspects of the construction industry. Over the years, Tim has served on over 20 boards and committees and has supported capital or annual fundraising campaigns for eight important Dubuque community institutions.  He has also been involved with the Advisory Boards for the NICC Community College, Dubuque Community School District, and University of Northern Iowa Construction Management Program.

In 2016, Tim was the recipient of the Master Builders of Iowa (MBI) Build Iowa Award, which recognizes a general contractor’s skill, responsibility, and integrity in performance both in construction and in their community. He is actively involved with the MBI and has served as its President. In 2008, Tim was voted by the Tri-State Business Times as the second most influential person in their Top Ten Most Influential People in the Tri-States. Tim received the Dubuque Jaycee’s Gil Chavenelle Award in 2001 for exceptional leadership, contribution, and service to the Dubuque Community.

Beth Nickel | Burlington

Beth is the mother of two young girls, both of whom participate in Girl Scouts. Professionally, she is the Sales and Marketing Director for Southeastern Community College, Center for Business (CBIZ). Beth enjoys building relationships with clients in the business and industry sectors throughout Southeast Iowa. Prior to joining Southeastern Community College she spent nine years leading the Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau as there Executive Director. Beth is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. Beth has been involved with many organizations including the Greater Burlington Young Professionals, Burlington Steamboat Days, Flint River Trails Committee, Divine Mercy Parish Commission, Eastern Iowa Tourism Association, and Travel Federation of Iowa. Currently she sits on the Burlington Riverfront Entertainment Board of Directors, Burlington Y Board of Directors, and serves as program director for the Mississippi Valley Human Resource Association.

Dr. Rachel Savage | Moline

Dr. Rachel Savage has 25 years of experience in the field of education in Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona. She has served as Superintendent, High School Administrator, K-8 Principal, 6-8 Principal, and a High School Spanish teacher. She has also served as Adjunct Professor for the University of Dubuque and Northeast Iowa Community College. Her doctorate is in K-12 Organizational Leadership. She also has an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, and another in Educational Administration.

Her husband, Dr. Eric Savage is a Professor for the University of Dubuque, in the Department of Aviation. He is also a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Aviation and Flight for Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her daughter Gabby, is a junior at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, pursuing a degree in Hotel-Restaurant Management. Her son, RJ, is a freshman at the University of Iowa. He is studying industrial engineering and is also a private pilot working on his flight credentials at Jet Air in Iowa City. The family dog, Pilot, is an English Springer Spaniel and everyone’s best friend. 

Clara Garman | Marion

Clara is a Software/Systems Engineer at Rockwell Collins, now a conglomerate of Raytheon Technologies.  Her work in software and aircraft systems engineering quickly led into several roles, including her current role of Data Manager and Project Cost Account Manager for Display Software on the Boeing 747 aircraft series.

She has been involved with United Way, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA and the Society of Women in Engineering over the course of  many years. Clara is a strong supporter of natural and conservation initiatives. She currently holds a chair position on the SWE board for Girl Scout Days. This will be her fourth year on that board. and she initiated the new Older Girl Scout Day sleepover event in 2017. 

Clara has been a Girl Scout since 1994, following a long career of growing confidence, having the courage to face her fears and being prepared for several challenges. In 2008, she was a Girl Scout camp director. For several years since, she has served on a multitude of Girl Scout committees for items such as property management, fund raising, training and a COVID task force. Her experiences in multiple councils has allowed Girl Scouts to share ideas and learn new skills.

Finally, Clara's passion lies in the outdoors. She has volunteered at our GSEIWI events since 2011, and likes to spend her vacation as a counselor at Camp Liberty. She may be considered crazy, but firmly believes that the more girls who are comfortable living in wilderness conditions, the more prepared they will be for the future of the world.

David Blakenship | Cedar Rapids

David retired from the Aegon-affiliated companies in 2016 following a 39-year career. He also founded and directs the Pathfinder Outdoor Education Center, which specializes in outdoor experiential education. As a professional, he is skilled at providing leadership in change management at organizations. He has served on many boards for organizations that create positive outcomes for youth. David has been married to his wife Lois for 50 years, has three children and five grandchildren.

Emerald Smith | Cedar Rapids

Emerald Smith works at Collins Aerospace as an influential individual contributor working within supply chain. She manages the lifecycle on last-time buys and rebuys. In her previous career, Emerald worked 15+ years working with at-risk youth. She is involved with ReSET CR which focuses on meeting youth where they are and reducing violence in the community. 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling; so much that she became an independent travel agent. She enjoys empowering people who never thought they would leave their state to travel and experience the world.

Chelsea Hillman, Davenport

Chelsea is the Managing Director, Professional Programs at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business. In this role, she leads the Student Experience team in supporting over 2,300 part-time, working professional graduate students. Prior to working at the University of Iowa, Chelsea spent 10+ years in various marketing roles in large corporate and small business settings. Chelsea earned her BBA in Marketing & Management, MBA, and Leadership certificate from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.

She is passionate about building community and has previously held leadership volunteer positions for Iowa Women Lead Change (fka The Women’s Connection), The PR Network of the Quad Cities, Young Professionals of the Quad Cities (fka The Network: Young Professionals of the Quad Cities), the American Heart Association Go Red for Women, and various other non-profit organizations.

Chelsea is a third generation Girl Scout who spent her girl years in Muscatine, IA, was a former troop leader in Geneseo, IL, and is a current Lifetime Member, National Delegate (56th National Council Session), Board Member, and volunteer. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, fishing, reading, crocheting, and playing board games with her family and friends.

Anne Ryerson, Secretary | Geneseo

Anne is the Manager of Product Safety and Compliance for John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group.  In this role she leads a global team of engineers working to ensure safety and compliance of John Deere electronic products. An electrical engineer, Anne has experience in product development, electronics design, and product safety in her 20 years at John Deere.  She is a Gold Award recipient, lifetime member of Girl Scouts, and has been a member of the GSEIWI Board of Directors since 2013.

Anne is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. She has many years of experience leading STEM outreach and youth programs, including FIRST Lego League, John Deere Inspire, and the Society of Women Engineers.  A mother to three boys, she is also a Cub Scout den leader.

Dee Vandeventer, Cedar Falls, IA

Divya Ramadugu

Divya is on our girl advisory committee, and she is a student council officer. Divya is currently in 10th grade at Kennedy High School. She has earned her Bronze and Silver Awards. Divya competes in her school's speech and debate team and has competed in finals in many state tournaments this year. She also recently joined her school's student newspaper, Torch. Divya also sings and participates in her school's show choir. Outside of school, she is involved in productions at Theater Cedar Rapids, where she has a wonderful time performing for her community.

Rachel Johnson

Rachel is on our girl advisory committee, the summer camp advisory committee, and a National Delegate for the 2023 convention. She is in 10th grade at Jefferson High School and has been on the honor roll since middle school. She has earned her Bronze and Silver Awards as a Girl Scout. Rachel is involved in varsity golf, marching band, and concert band. In band, she plays the trombone; outside of school, she plays piano. She is involved at her church and frequently helps teach kids in Kindergarten and first grade as a Sunday school teacher. During summer, she volunteers at VBS, which involves lots of decorating, cleaning up, and ensuring everyone is having fun.

Megan Graves

Megan has earned her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and is part of our Program Aide. Megan is currently in 11th Grade at Linn-Mar High School. She is the Yearbook section Editor, National Honor Society Member and Best Color guard at Valley Fest Marching Band Competition. Out of school she is involved with Level 1 USA Archery coach certification (and application),  DNR Volunteer frog and toad population study.