Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England Announces New Board & Board Development Committee Members
WARWICK, RI (June 9, 2026)—Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) recently elected two new members-at-large to their Board of Directors at its annual meeting on May 14, 2026. With expertise in fields ranging from philanthropy to marketing to economic development, the GSSNE Board of Directors and Board Development Committee guides the Girl Scout Movement within GSSNE’s service area. The new members include:
Board Members-at-Large:
Isabella Porter
Isabella Porter (Little Compton, RI): Isabella is an active volunteer after a career in marketing and management. Shortly after her retirement as Marketing VP at Neumont University, she designed, co-founded, and operated a residential community in Providence for young adults with moderate disabilities. Her other volunteer work includes serving as a member of the Board and Finance Committee of the Providence Public Library and as a member of the Development Committee of FirstWorks.
She recently joined the Finance Committee of Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England. Growing up outside the country, Isabella did not have the opportunity to join Girl Scouts, but after learning about the work of the organization, she is convinced of its importance in the development of girls and is eager to help GSSNE reach even more girls. Isabella lives in Little Compton with her husband, Ned, and her beagle Maggie. She has a BA from Brown University and an MBA from the University of Rhode Island.
Alex Rempis
Alex Rempis (Portsmouth, RI): Alex is a major and principal gifts fundraiser for higher education, schools, and nonprofits. Before shifting to philanthropy, he was a long-time middle grades humanities teacher. Prior to teaching, he was an editor and writer at The New Yorker magazine and two consultancies in Cambridge. He served on the Gordon School and Sophia Academy boards, helping Sophia achieve its first accreditation as education committee chair, and is also very involved with a child life program in Kenya named for his grandmother. He has an AB from Vassar College and an MAT from Tufts University. His two teen daughters, his beloved RI community, and his sprawling, Big Fat Greek and Portuguese families are the center of his universe and the lights of his increasingly middle-aged life.
Board Development Committee:
Wendy Mackie
Wendy Mackie (Jamestown, RI): Wendy is a seasoned senior management leader with over two decades of experience in driving organizational growth and fostering sustainable economic development initiatives through strategic community collaborations. Her career is deeply rooted in youth and workforce development, nonprofit leadership, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship, with a lifelong commitment to helping individuals secure jobs that offer livable wages and upward mobility.
Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health & Sociology from Southern Connecticut State University and has pursued graduate-level studies in Administration, Marketing & Finance at Bridgewater State University. She also completed the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2018.
In 2006, Wendy aligned her expertise with the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), where she developed youth career pathway programming for the industry and eventually became CEO. During her tenure, she directed the organization’s operational strategy, including budget oversight, grant procurement, personnel management, and membership services. She also launched the Composites Alliance of Rhode Island, which evolved into the 401 Tech Bridge, a cutting-edge manufacturing innovation center supported by the U.S. Navy and the University of Rhode Island.
Wendy’s contributions to workforce development include authoring the “10+1 Marine Industry Guide to Growing the Workforce,” a national workforce plan endorsed by 21 industry associations. She has held leadership positions as Director of Workforce & Foundation Development at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and Director of Workforce Development Strategy at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), where her focus was on creating sustainable job pathways for nontraditional workers in manufacturing.
Throughout her career, Wendy has been dedicated to ensuring equity, access, and sustainability in community development. Her work continues to impact communities by creating opportunities and pathways for individuals to thrive in both established and emerging industries. She is passionate about philanthropy, civic engagement, and life’s many adventures.
Chelsea Siefert
Chelsea Siefert (Wakefield, RI): Chelsea is the Chief Operating Officer of the Quonset Development Corporation, where she oversees the long-term development of the Quonset Business Park in line with the Corporation’s strategic goals of bringing new jobs, private investment and tax revenue to the State of Rhode Island. She engages new and potential tenants, oversees marketing and leasing activities, and acts as a liaison between the Corporation and businesses, state and federal regulatory agencies, and municipal and congressional leaders. Chelsea joined QDC in July 2019, bringing over 15 years of experience in land use planning and development review. Before joining the Corporation, Chelsea was the Planning Director for the Town of South Kingstown, where she emphasized finding practical solutions and encouraged smart growth.
Chelsea holds a BA in Politics from Saint Anselm College and a Master’s in Community Planning from the University of Rhode Island.
To read more about all members of the GSSNE Board of Directors, visit https://www.gssne.org/en/our-council/council-leaderships.html.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs across Southeastern New England, girls and gender-expansive youth of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves in a safe space as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. Backed by strong friendships and trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. Girl Scouts feel comfortable trying new things without the pressure to be perfect, speaking their minds, and processing their emotions in healthy ways. They discover how being different makes them special, strengthens their sense of belonging, and, ultimately, makes them proud to be themselves. That’s the magic of Girl Scouting. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit gssne.org, follow @gssne on Instagram, follow @GirlScoutsofSNE on Twitter, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GSSNE.