Facilitator Bio's
Rachael Wright : Rachael serves as the Girl Experience Program Coordinator for the Muskegon Lakeshore area with a background in elementary education. Rachael is passionate about creating unique opportunities for Girl Scouts that spark curiosity, inspire lifelong passions, and build confidence through hands-on experiences. She also continues to expand STEM and outdoor education opportunities at the Betsy Cutler House.
Heather Oom: Heather is a lifetime Girl Scouts. She grew up at Camp Anna Behrens attending summer camp, earned her Counselor in Training pin and the worked as a staff camp counselor. Heather is mom the three daugher's and is their troop leaders. She enjoys singing songs, challenging girls and all things camp! Outside of Heather's Girl Scout life she is a special education teacher.
Karen O’Brien: Karen is a lifetime, Girl Scouts. Karen has been involved with OWLS Adult Resource Weekend since its inception in 2019 and has facilitated many sessions for OWLS. Karen has served as the Director of Mackinac Island Scout Service Program.
Sharon Hughes: Sharon is a lifetime Girl Scout and an experienced camper. Sharon facilitates Troop Camping Skills and Testing Out of Troop Camping Skills and assists in the updates and maintenance to Troop Camping Skills.
Melanie Ver Duin: Melanie is a long-time Girl Scout troop leader for both her daughters and is a volunteer with Mackinac Island Scout Service Program. Melanie is an avid hiker with many successful trails under her backpack.
Jess Faubus: Jess serves as the Community Membership Manager, helping connect girls and volunteers with Girl Scout opportunities in their communities. She is also a troop leader for her daughter’s troop and believes strongly in the Girl Scout tradition of girl-led experiences, empowering girls to make decisions, lead activities, and shape their own adventures. Jess enjoys supporting girls as they build friendships, confidence, and new skills through Girl Scouts. Before becoming a staff member Jess was a special education teacher.
Barb Gatchel: Barb serves as a Community Membership Manager, connecting with communities to welcome new girls and volunteers while supporting troop leaders and Service Units. She is active on the Gold Award Support Committee. She also loves to share her passion and knowledge of backpacking, camping and troop travel within Girl Scouting. As a former troop leader for her three daughters, she now takes great joy in watching her granddaughters experience the adventures and opportunities of Girl Scouts.
Lesley Robinson: Lesley serves as the Director of Girl Experience, Volunteer Engagement, and Properties. A lifetime Girl Scout, she is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for girls and supporting the volunteers who make those opportunities possible. Lesley has served in a variety of roles as Girl Scout staff and, prior to joining GSMISTS, worked with the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys going to music festivals, especially ones that include her favorite band, The Avett Brothers.
Savanah Cool: Savanah has spent 17 years supporting families across Michigan, from nonprofit work to her current role as Director for the Great Start Collaborative. A lifelong Girl Scout, troop leader, and Service Unit Director, she blends professional trauma-informed care with real troop experience. As a Certified Trauma-Informed Coach and trainer in the Strengthening Families and HOPE frameworks, Savanah equips leaders with practical tools to support every scout’s mental well-being.
Rachel Franklin: Rachel is a dedicated longtime Girl Scout volunteer whose service includes leading her daughter's troop and previously serving as the Service Unit Director for the Holland area. Rachel is also the owner of a local Challenge Island franchise, an educational STEM/STEAM program that engages children in hands-on team challenges designed to build skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Through her work with Challenge Island, Rachel is able to combine her passion for Girl Scouting and STEM education by facilitating exclusive Challenge Island programs for (GSMISTS).
Andrea Hornby: Andrea has a background in early childhood education with over 12 years of teaching under her belt. Over the course of a 15-year career with Girl Scouts, she served in a variety of roles, including Program Manager, Placement Specialist, and First Year Troop Support and Volunteer Training Coordinator. Her experience supporting both girls and volunteers has given her a deep understanding of the Girl Scout mission and the power of positive mentorship. Andrea is passionate about empowering adults with the tools, confidence, and support they need to create meaningful opportunities for girls to build leadership skills, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential.
Nikki Foster: Nikki serves as the Girl Experience Partnerships and Program Coordinator for Northern Michigan. She joined Girl Scouts as a Brownie and has been involved in the organization ever since. With a background in summer camps with the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, she loves outdoor activities and has been teaching archery for over 5 years. Since joining GSMISTS, she has focused on bringing more programming opportunities to Northern Michigan and is excited to provide volunteers with more resources for their Girl Scouts.
Mandi Garvey: Mandi is a lifetime Girl Scouts and is a troop leader for her daughter’s troop. She owns her own business, Michigan Born and Raised, one of the many services they offer is Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Korrie Halmond: Korrie is a long time volunteer. She has served in a variety of roles for Service Unit 319 including; Product Program Manager, Camp Director, and Recruiter as well as being a troop leader for two troops. Korrie is also a GSMISTS facilitator for Small Craft Safety training as well as being an instrumental part of OWLS Adult Resource Weekend.
Amber DenBesten: Amber is a longtime Girl Scout volunteer who serves as the leader and co-leader of two troops. In addition to mentoring and inspiring girls through her troop leadership, she serves as the Event Manager for Service Unit 319, helping create meaningful experiences and opportunities for Girl Scouts across the community.
Kelly Grimm:
Kelly is a dedicated Girl Scout leader for a multi-level troop and proud mother of two daughters who are members of the troop. She is an enthusiastic and dependable leader who is always willing to jump in and support activities. Kelly has a special gift for partnering with fellow volunteers, encouraging and inspiring them while helping them discover the same joy and fulfillment in Girl Scouting that she has found herself.