THE GIRLS STATE STAFF

Meet our directors and the people who make this program so great

Lori Swann

Director

Lori was a citizen of Girls State in 1980. She was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, voted an Outstanding Citizen and selected as a delegate to Girls Nation. She is a graduate of Rice University and The University of Texas School of Law. Lori is the General Counsel of Cunningham Capital and serves as Board President of the Children’s Assessment Center Foundation. She is also a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 449.

Connie Bridges

Co-Director

Between 1995 and 2013, Connie Bridges was Director of Bluebonnet Girls State. A citizen in 1974, Connie was elected Girls State Governor. From 1988 to 1996 Connie was the Chairman of the Girls State committee. She is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 449. Connie earned her Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Ann Doan

Associate Director of Administration

Ann was elected Federal Party Whip when she came to Girls State from Tyler in 1966. A member of ALA Unit 569, she serves as the Chairman of the Girls State Committee. Ann earned a Bachelors degree in Education and Mathematics from Texas Tech University and received her Masters degree in Education at Texas Wesleyan University. She is a retired math teacher.

Karen Rodriguez

Associate Director of Personnel

Karen was a citizen at Girls State in 1981 and served as the Secretary of State. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Lamar University. A former public school teacher, Karen now works as a software training consultant and also volunteers with local schools. Karen is a member of ALA Unit 521 and in her spare time likes to fish.

Stephanie McDonald

Associate Director of Programs

Stephanie was a Girls State citizen in 1992 and a graduate of Austin College. She is on the Executive Team at Central Health, the Travis County Healthcare District, and lives in Austin. She is a proud member of ALA unit 437.

Katie Stewart

Associate Director of Education

Katie was a Girls State citizen in 2007. She has been a counselor and has served on the Education Staff. Katie earned her Bachelors in History from the University of Texas at Austin and her Masters in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. Outside of Girls State, Katie is a middle school Assistant Principal in Leander, Texas. She is also a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 449.

Danielle Bartz

Associate Director of Operations

Danielle was a citizen of Girls State in 2003. She got her bachelor’s and her master’s of public affairs from The University of Texas at Austin.

Danielle is the Chief of Staff of the Harris County Department of Education and serves as Board President of the University of Houston Friends of Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. She is also a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 449.