When it comes to empowering girls and young women, Mary Anne Servian believes not all youth development programs are created equal. After taking the helm as CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida just over a year ago, Servian began to appreciate more than ever the importance of single-gender programming for girls.

“The fact is, most of a girl’s life is coed,” says Servian. “Girl Scouting is vital because it provides a girl-only, girl-inclusive safe space that fosters collaboration instead of competition, and gives girls unparalleled opportunities to learn and thrive.”

The Gulfcoast council serves some 6,000 girls across a 10-county service area, and Servian is dedicated to increasing that number. “Girl Scouting has an indispensable impact in every corner of our communities,” she says. “Put simply, it is the best leadership experience for girls in the world.”

An area resident since 1997, Servian served as managing partner of The Servian Group, a business brokerage firm, from 1989-2010; City of Sarasota commissioner from 2001-2007, and mayor from 2005-2006; Sarasota Ballet managing director from 2010-2016; and business broker with Murphy Financial & Business Services.

“Girl Scouts is, hands down, the best leadership experience for girls in the world.” 

Achievements
-Board Member/Chair, First Step of Sarasota – 2002-2010
-Helping Hands Award, ALSO Youth – 2003
-Loyalty & Patriots Award, Marine Corp League – 2005
-Chair, Municipal Finance & Taxation Committee, Florida League of Cities – 2005
-Board Member, Housing Authority, City of Sarasota – 2009-2011
-Arts Leadership Award, Arts Management – 2014

4780 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 921-5358
gsgcf.org