Girls Inc. Of Pinellas Installs New Officers

PINELLAS PARK, FL — On Oct. 1, a new slate of officers began their term with the Girls Inc. of Pinellas Board of Directors.

Mercy Ameyaw, board president, is director of municipal dealer sales at Raymond James Financial; Molly Longmire, president-elect, is deputy chief of philanthropy and national partnerships at Civil Air Patrol; Frank Vitarelli, treasurer, is senior vice president - market director at The Bank of Tampa; and Dana Reina, secretary, is senior manager at Cisco Solutions at TD SYNNEX.

Outgoing board president, Katrina Mason, senior gift officer of regional development at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Foundation, presided over her final board meeting on Sept. 28.

“It has been my privilege and honor to serve as the president of the board of Girls Inc. Pinellas. My service has been so meaningful as we make an impact on girls to be strong, smart and bold, inspiring the future women leaders of our community,” said Mason.

“The long-term impact of any nonprofit organization is directly tied to the community support as well as the caliber and commitment of its board members,” said Executive Director Darla Otey. “Girls Inc. has been gifted with both. Our outstanding board members are true pillars in the community and we look forward to working with this new cohort of leaders as Girls Inc. expands its work to support more girls on their journey to success.”

New president, Mercy Ameyaw, is also the co-chair of the Veterans Inclusion Network at Raymond James Financial.

“I initially became involved with Girls Inc. when I learned that one of their key initiatives is to provide free scholarships for after-school programming during the school year and summer for girls of military/first responder families. I am extremely tied into community outreach programs that benefit our service members and their families, so I was completely impressed with their commitment to these girls whose parents are serving our country and communities," she said. "As I become more involved and learned of the opportunities they were creating for young women, my reverence for the organization grew.”

Ameyaw is a woman veteran and is acutely aware of how women and minorities have traditionally been under-represented in many fields such as science and technology-oriented disciplines.

Today, organizations, such as Girls Inc., are actively trying to address this inequity by engaging girls through STEAM programs.

“Girls Inc. has been serving our community for nearly 60 years and empowering our young girls through creative arts and health lifestyle habits. I am proud to lead this organization as we equip these young girls to lead fulfilling and productive lives and become role models in their community.” Ameyaw said.

One of the first duties of the new officers will be welcoming donors, dignitaries and the media on Monday, Nov. 8 when Girls Inc. of Pinellas celebrates its 60th anniversary.

All Girls Inc., or Girls Club as it was previously named, alumnae and former board members can contact Heather Figueroa at hfigueroa@girlsinc-pinellas.org for more information about the anniversary celebration.

To register your daughter for Girls Inc. of Pinellas’ after-school enrichment program. visit https://girlsinc-pinellas.org/after-school/.