Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Names Natalye Paquin Chief Executive Officer

Former Kimmel Center and School District of Philadelphia executive brings expertise in nonprofit operations and leadership transition

MIQUON, Pa. Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) has named Natalye Paquin, Esq. as its Chief Executive Officer.

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"We are pleased to have Natalye join us in this role," said Ann Thornton Field, Board Chair for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and Chair of the General Litigation Department for Cozen O'Connor. "Her proven background and expertise in nonprofit operations and leadership transition are exactly what the Council needs to achieve its strategic objectives and fulfill its plan for growth and sustainability." 

Paquin joins GSEP from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where she has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer since 2006.  As a seasoned leader with success in building teams, running complex businesses, and working effectively with the public and diverse constituents, Paquin brings more than 20 years of experience in executive and leadership roles. During an interim 10-month appointment as Acting President and Chief Operating Officer of the Kimmel Center, she successfully led the enterprise through a critical leadership transition, reduced operating expenses, exceeded annual revenue goals, and was instrumental in developing a business model and strategy to retire $30 million debt.

"Natalye led many key initiatives and was a strong business partner during her four-year tenure with the Kimmel Center as both Interim CEO and COO," said Anne Ewers, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Kimmel Center.  "We are sorry to lose her but we are excited for Natalye and her appointment as CEO of the Girls Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.  The Kimmel Center family wishes Natalye much success."

Prior to joining the Kimmel Center, Paquin served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff for The School District of Philadelphia.  She also held senior roles with the Department of Transportation for the City of Chicago, The Chicago Public Schools, and the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Paquin is a past member of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and played key roles in the transition process during its 2007 merger, which included Chair of the first Nominating Committee.  She was also a Board Member for Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania and is the 2009 recipient of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Governance Award.    

She is a current Board Member for a number of organizations, including National Penn Bank and National Penn Bancshares, Inc., The Philadelphia Academies, the Philadelphia Award Foundation, and the Center City District.  Previous Board affiliations include the Philadelphia Education Fund, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia Boys' Choir, and Project H.O.M.E.  

Paquin received the inaugural Philadelphia Business Journal's Minority Business Award last year, was among The Philadelphia Tribune Magazine's Most Influential African Americans in both 2009 and 2010 and the Philadelphia Business Journal's 2004 Women of Distinction, and received the Illinois State Treasurer's Leadership Award in 2001.  Paquin earned her B.S. at Florida A & M University and Juris Doctorate from DePaul University, College of Law, and was licensed by the Illinois State Bar.  She lives in Villanova.

The mission of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania is to build girls of courage, confidence and character. It is the largest girl-serving organization in Pennsylvania, with more than 42,000 girl and 14,000 adult volunteer members in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties.  Approximately 80 percent of the nation's women in leadership and executive roles and 70 percent of U.S. Congresswomen are Girl Scout alumnae.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania