Board of Directors

(904) 388-4653
(877) 764-5237

Board of Directors

Chair
James Richardson, II

James Richardson is serving his third term as Chair of the Board of Directors, also serves as a National Council Delegate, and is a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA National President's Advisory Group. James is employed by the City of Jacksonville's Housing and Neighborhood Department as an Economic Development Fund Manager. He is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Florida. James serves on the Dean’s Council for the Thomas Carpenter Library at UNF, is past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, past President of the St. Augustine Diocesan Pastoral Council and has served on several nonprofit boards within the community.

Chief Executive Officer
Sandra “Sam” Tysver

Sandra “Sam” Tysver has been the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council since 1993. Previously she served as CEO at both Fox River Girl Scout Council in Appleton, Wisconsin, and the Lenawee County United Way in Adrian, Michigan. A Certified Girl Scout CEO, Sam completed the Executive Education Program in Nonprofit Management from the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University, and the Nonprofit Initiative Leadership Institute from the Center for Creative Leadership in North Carolina. She earned a teaching degree from Northern Michigan University. Sam is an alumna of the Jessie Ball duPont Community Building Fund’s Jacksonville Community Coaches program and Leadership Jacksonville. She is a member of the Jacksonville (downtown) Rotary Club, and served in a core business strategy think tank convened by Girl Scouts of the USA. She is also a board member for the State of Florida Girl Scout Legislative Network.

First Vice Chair
Nona Jones

Nona is serving her first term as First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. She received both a B.S. in Communications and an MBA from the University of Florida. Nona is the Community and Government Relations Director for Gainesville Regional Utilities. She serves on the United Way of North Central Florida Board of Directors, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is President of the Alachua County Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors. She also serves on the statewide Board of Trustees for PACE Center for Girls, Inc. and is a member of the AvMed Health Plans Community Advisory Board. Nona is a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville, Gainesville Women's Forum, Women's Giving Circle, and Gainesville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Second Vice Chair
Baraz Samiian, Ed.D.

Baraz is serving her second term as Second Vice Chair of the Board of Directors after serving as the board Secretary. She also serves on the Governance Committee and chaired the Bylaws Review Committee. Baraz recently retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, after 10 years of service as Diversity/Cultural Competency Development Senior Consultant, to return to academic teaching and research and her corporate consulting business. Baraz graduated from Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland with an M. A. degree and completed her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of North Florida. She was a volunteer for many years in Angeles Girl Scout Council serving as a troop leader for Girl Scout Brownie, Junior and Cadette troops; chair of summer/day camp programs and also served as association and district chair. She was also awarded the Thanks Badge while in the Angeles Council. Baraz has been a volunteer with the University of North Florida’s College of Health Curriculum Advisory Board, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville, the National Association for Multicultural Education Board, and the Jacksonville Mayor’s Community Trustees & Stakeholders Program. Baraz serves on the Editorial Board of "Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management" and is an alumna of Leadership Jacksonville.

Secretary
Barbara Coleman

Barbara is serving her second term as Secretary of the Board of Directors. Barbara received a B.A. from the University of West Florida and an M.A. from Central Michigan University. She is the owner of a State Farm Insurance agency in Orange Park. Barbara is past president of the Quigley House Board of Directors and currently serves on the Clay County Housing Finance Authority Board of Directors and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. She volunteers with the American Cancer Society, Calvary United Methodist Church, and The Way Clinic Board of Directors. Barbara is also active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Rotary and the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.

Treasurer
Jennifer Hanigan

Jennifer is serving her second term as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. She is a Vice President and Project Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Jennifer was cookie manager for her daughter’s Brownie and Junior troops for three years and is active at both of her children's schools. She serves on the Committee for the 100th Anniversary Celebration for Girl Scouting. She is currently active in the USTA Junior Team Tennis program and has served four seasons as a team captain. Jennifer is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Jacksonville and has served as an executive board member and treasurer.