Leadership Team
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When Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in 1912, she understood that dedicated and dynamic leaders were vital to helping girls develop their full potential.
With the support, vision, and commitment of our leadership team, Girl Scouts have the opportunity to find – and become – leaders in their communities and the world.
Marla Meyer
Chief Executive Officer
Arranger | Belief | Relator | Activator |Futuristic
Marla Meyer is a strong supporter of leadership development for women and girls and loves working with Girl Scouts. She is a mom and aunt to two amazing Girl Scouts, Madi and Savannah. For them and all Girl Scouts, she works to unleash the power of girls through experiences that build leaders of tomorrow and help them realize there is always a solution to every problem. “Think like McGyver,” as Marla would say.
One thing you might not know about Girl Scouts—Dakota Horizons’ CEO, is that she spent her childhood on a farm near Beaver Creek, MN, with sheep, more sheep and lots of sheep. Marla’s down to earth personality started on that farm and grew into a love of getting to know people authentically, and engaging people in their interests and figuring out how to make life fun and adventurous.
Marla’s love of iconic brands (like Girl Scouts) led her to work for more than 20 years for Coca-Cola and Pepsi, at the forefront of sales, marketing and service leadership across the United States and Canada.
Marla holds an MBA in Marketing from the Craig School of Business, California State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Management from Minnesota State University, but her biggest accomplishment is being a mom to twins, Max and Madi.
Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?
Samoas! What’s better than crisp cookies, coated in caramel and sprinkled with toasted coconut? And the best part? Dark Chocolate stripes on top of it all!
Amy Hoiland
Chief Financial Officer
Strategic | Communication | Activator | Futuristic | Achiever
Amy is a lifelong Girl Scout. Growing up in Aberdeen, she has many fond memories of camping at TDAF during her school-aged years and organizing and running a Mommy and Me Camp in high school. She feels that the experiences Girl Scouts provided her helped her develop into who she is today. Girl Scouts has had such an impact on Amy’s life that she was beyond ecstatic when she was able to merge her love for finance with her passion for the Girl Scout mission.
A University of Sioux Falls graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Amy has spent most of her professional career working in the non-profit sector. She has a keen eye for detail and a strong desire for helping to ensure financial stability for mission-based organizations.
During Amy’s free time, you will find her camping, fishing, watching her kids’ activities and traveling. She enjoys anything that allows her the opportunity to spend time with her husband Austin, daughter Shayla, son Miles and dogs, Cosmo & Max. In addition, Amy enjoys sharing her love for Girl Scouts with her daughter Shayla.
Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?
Samoas! You just can’t beat the combination of chocolate, caramel and coconut.
Shawna Van Voorst
Chief People & Administrative Officer
Achiever | Relator | Learner | Belief | Arranger
Shawna has been blessed to be surrounded by amazing women in her life. Whether that was her grandma, mom, teacher, friend, sister, or co-worker, they have all helped shape her into who she is today. She is excited to support the Girl Scouts' mission of helping girls become strong leaders in their communities and the world. Everyone has a unique way of making a difference and she looks forward to seeing how that is unleashed through Girl Scouts.
Shawna graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration but has found her niche in Human Resources. This is where she has spent most of her professional career from school districts to large corporations. It is the perfect mix for this people person that also likes numbers and strategy.
Shawna can often be found laughing with family and friends, traveling, loving on her nieces and nephews, reading, learning, or cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?
Definitely Thin Mint! There is just something about the combination of mint and chocolate. I also love putting them in the freezer to make them extra delightful!
Jennifer Smith Hoesing
Chief Development Officer
Strategic | Maximizer | Responsibility | Belief | Woo
Jennifer Smith Hoesing (pronounced hay-zing) has spent 20 years in the independent sector in Florida, South Carolina and South Dakota. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at DakotAbilities, a nonprofit that provides opportunities to people with disabilities creating a more inclusive world for everyone.
She’s especially proud of her work refreshing brands at DakotAbilities and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, launching the Stockyards Ag Experience Museum in Sioux Falls, securing a Bush Community Innovation Grant for childcare collaboration, and convening a cross-sector community planning exercise in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Jenn is a proud native of Marcus, Iowa, where she was a Girl Scout Brownie. She earned a B.A. in Music from Luther College with a K-12 teaching certification, a M.A. in Arts Administration from Florida State University College of Music and a Certified Fundraising Manager Certification from the University of Indiana Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Jenn loves playing music, reading, being outside in the fresh air, craft and home improvement projects, and cheering for her favorite collegiate athletic teams, Iowa State and Florida State.
Jenn makes her home in Sioux Falls with her husband Pete, their two sons, and Coco the Boston terrier.
Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?
The best Girl Scout Cookie is one given or received as a gift! If I have to choose a favorite, it's Trefoil. They're buttery, delicious, classic and versatile. I'd better keep taste-testing to be sure they're my go-to.
