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.
Karen Rodriguez
Co-Director
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.
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.
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 Stewart attended Texas Girls State in 2007 and served as County Chair for the National Party. She earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Masters degree from Lamar University. Katie is currently the Principal of Stacy Kaye Danielson Middle School in Leander ISD, where she is committed to developing future leaders and fostering a strong educational community. In her spare time, Katie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
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.
Shelby Igaz
Associate Director of Personnel
Shelby Igaz serves as the Associate Director of Personnel for Texas Bluebonnet Girls State. Professionally, she works as an Executive Assistant and brings a strong passion for leadership, organization, and service to everything she does.
A Dallas resident, Shelby earned her degree in Political Science from Southern Methodist University (SMU). In addition to her professional career, she is an active volunteer with New Friends New Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and empowering trafficked and exploited women, teens, and their children.
Shelby is passionate about helping young women develop confidence, leadership skills, and a commitment to civic engagement, and she is honored to support the next generation of leaders through Girls State.
Wellness Team
Lynda Redix
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Jessica Evey
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Shirley Hegwer
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Jamie Doan
Program Support
Charlotte Toulouse
Allie Watters
Stephanie Bossert
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Devin Powell
House and Senate
Claire Noel
Taylor Wright​​​
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Gaby White
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Megan McDonald
Deborah Garza​
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Zoe Thorn
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Katelyn Lancaster
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Education / County Coordinators
Kailey Peck
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Rian Morris​
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Avery Gray​
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Elena King
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Ainslie Ferguson​
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Anum Javeed
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Sydney Fraser​
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Callie Bekker
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Dakoda Campbell
Party
Kristen Gordon
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Sarah Lanford
Bank
Virginia Donnelly
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Jenna Brown
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Dixie Jones
Talent
Phyllis Janke
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Sarah Lawry
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Shelly Weise
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Gabi Rodriguez​
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Evalyna Drupals
Girls State Store
Michelle Muth
Candy Zavala
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Chree Boydstun
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Tammy Boclair
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Eva Marie Evey​
Marketing
Sarah Scalia
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Hillary Plocheck
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Anabeth Fuller
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