Leadership

Angie Salinas, Major General U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) joined Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas as the Chief Executive Officer in July 2015. Prior to becoming the CEO, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 39 years. A woman of many firsts, she made history as the first Latina selected and promoted to the general officer ranks in the Marine Corps and at the time of her retirement in September 2013, she was the senior ranking woman and the senior Hispanic in the Corps.

A Girl Scout alumna, Salinas is a role model to girls and women seeking to break through the glass ceiling. She commanded at every level from Lieutenant to General and is a trailblazer, serving as the first woman in multiple assignments that include Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego/Western Recruiting Region, Assistant Chief of Staff for plans and policy of a major combatant organization, and command of a recruiting district. Her military decorations are many including the Defense Superior Service Medal and culminated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement.

Salinas’ accolades extend past her military experience. She has been recognized with multiple awards including the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Latinas in Service Award. She was named a Top Latino Leader by the National Diversity Council and a TAMACC Woman of Distinction. She has been inducted into the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame, Hispanic Women in Leadership Hall of Fame, and the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the NCAA Legacy Award, the American Latino Influencer Valor Award, and the American Spirit Award Medallion from the National WWII Museum. She has received the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Tribute to Women Business Leaders Hope Award, as well as the San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Leadership Award. Salinas has been named one of 15 Phenomenal Women by Latina Magazine and one of six Power Latinas by Vivala.com.

A graduate of the Masters Leadership Program San Antonio, she is a member of Excel Beyond the Bell, Up Partnership, the National Association of Women’s Business Owners; and The Non Profit Council. She serves on the Southwest Research Institute Advisory Trustees, the San Antonio Area Foundation-Women and Girls Development Fund, and the Advisory Council for the American Latino Veterans Association. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for GPM Life, Blues Skies of Texas, Young Marines and the Lift Fund.

A native of Alice, Texas, she holds a Master of Arts from the Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College of San Rafael, California. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dominican University in 2015 and named a Distinguished Alumni in 2016.

Stephanie Finleon Cortez was named Chief Development and Communications Officer (CDCO) for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas on January 18, 2013, after serving as Chief Communications Officer for the council since January 2010. A Girl Scout for 31 years, Finleon was among the first Daisies to join the organization in 1984.

She began her career in 2002 as a Membership Manager with Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council in Houston. Two years later, Finleon Cortez returned to her hometown of San Antonio and began her work in communications. As CDCO, she leads the council's fund development and communications department, to include oversight of individual and major giving, corporate contributions, foundation contributions, government grants and special events. She is also responsible for internal and external communications, to include public relations and advocacy, media relations, marketing, advertising, social media, crisis communications and brand management.

Stephanie uses her personal experience as a “grown-up” Girl Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award recipient to communicate the relevance of an organization that has impacted more than 59 million women nation-wide.

Finleon Cortez devotes her personal time to family and friends, volunteering as treasurer for the San Antonio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for which she also served as president-elect, president and immediate past president from 2013-2015. She is a proud Red Raider and Roadrunner, with a degree from the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University, as well as a Master in Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She and her husband, Daniel, reside in La Vernia with their son, Joey, and daughter, Lake.   

Blythe Simonson was named Chief Financial Officer for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas after an extensive search on June 3, 2013.

A certified public accountant with 17 years’ experience in auditing and non-profit fund accounting, Simonson is responsible for the financial and operational management of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, including development of the annual and long-term budget, financial forecasts, organizational development and design, human resources, legal and risk management, as well as analysis and commentary on the financial impact of operational and strategic initiatives of the organization.

Prior to joining Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, Simonson served as controller for The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Temple Beth-El.

Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Simonson holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a B.S. in Business Administration from Trinity University. She serves on the finance committee at St. Paul’s Episcopal Montessori School and is an accomplished musician. She and her husband, David, reside near Medina Lake with their children and family pet, Molly.