Thursday, October 1, 2026
Baldwin resident Pascale Leone will help shape the future of Girl Scouts of Nassau County for another two years after being re-elected to the organization’s Board Development Committee through 2028.
Leone was sworn in to the volunteer position during the organization’s 61st annual meeting held at Nassau Community College in Garden City. The committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting and supporting future board and committee members while helping guide the council's long-term leadership. Girl Scouts of Nassau County serves more than 15,000 members, including 11,472 girls, 2,960 adult volunteers and members, and 1,359 lifetime members.
In Baldwin alone, the organization includes 16 troops. Those troops provide local girls with opportunities to participate in community service, outdoor adventures, STEM programming and leadership development.
Leone brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in affordable housing, public health and healthy aging to the role. Since 2022, she has served as executive director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, a statewide membership organization representing more than 200 nonprofit supportive housing providers.
Before that, she spent nine years with the Corporation for Supportive Housing, where she served as vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Leone earned bachelor’s degrees in Africana studies and political science from the University at Albany and a master’s degree in public policy from Rockefeller College.
Leone said Baldwin quickly became home after she and her husband moved to the community 10 years ago with their infant daughter. She credits the hamlet’s welcoming atmosphere with inspiring her to become more involved in volunteer service.
“Baldwin is filled with people who genuinely invest in one another,” she said. “Girl Scouts reflects those same values of belonging, leadership and service.”
Growing up in Elmont, Leone was a member of Girl Scout Troop 1497, where camping trips, community service projects and leadership activities helped build her confidence.
One experience stood out. During a troop trip to Washington, D.C., she visited the institutions where national policy is made, sparking an interest in public service that eventually led to a career advocating for women, girls and affordable housing.
“Looking back, I truly believe Girl Scouts helped me develop the confidence to dream big and believe that I could make an impact,” she said.
Leone said she sees that same confidence beginning to emerge in her daughter, Everleigh, a member of Baldwin Troop 2193, one of 16 Girl Scout troops serving the Baldwin community.
Watching Everleigh embrace new experiences has made Leone’s volunteer service even more meaningful, she said. This summer, Everleigh is preparing for her first trip to Camp Blue Bay, Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s resident summer camp in East Hampton, where Leone hopes she will continue building confidence, independence and lifelong friendships.
Rande Bynum, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, said Leone’s continued service will help advance the organization’s mission.
"Each year, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is strengthened by leaders who bring new perspective, deep community commitment and a shared belief in what girls can achieve," Bynum said in a statement. "These board and committee members will help guide our council as we continue creating opportunities for girls to lead with courage, confidence and character across Nassau County."
During her second term on the Board Development Committee, Leone said she hopes to strengthen relationships with local businesses, civic organizations and philanthropic partners while helping recruit future board leaders with diverse professional backgrounds.
“I want to ensure Girl Scouts of Nassau County has the resources and leadership necessary so every girl in Nassau County can access the incredible opportunities Girl Scouts provides,” she said.
Leone hopes more Baldwin families will consider joining the Girl Scouts.
“Girl Scouts is about so much more than badges and cookies,” she said. “It’s about building courage, confidence, character, friendships and leadership that last a lifetime.”
