Con Corazón: A Message from Lidia Soto-Harmon
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Dear Girl Scout Family,
Girl Scouts has always been more than a job for me. I feel like Girl Scouts is really, where I grew up. It has been one of my life’s greatest honors to serve all of you. That is why it is so difficult to share that I am leaving Girl Scouts to join the Student Conservation Association (SCA) as their new President and CEO. In this national role, I will help inspire young people to protect and heal our environment for generations to come.
After 18 years with this amazing organization -- 12 years as your CEO, I am leaving a position I absolutely love. I am taking with me so many inspiring stories. Together, we have pursued and achieved incredible goals. These accomplishments include:
· The largest membership in Girl Scouting
· One of the largest cookie sale in the country, and
· More than 200 Girl Scouts earning our highest award, the Gold Award, annually
Growing from a limited operational reserve to a strong organization that provides financial assistance to every girl and family in our program who needs it. Our new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commitment demonstrates our evolution from not just a welcoming community, but one where members truly believe they belong in our world.
These great accomplishments are about each of you and the work that we all do together to make the world a better place. You have shown the courage, character, and confidence it takes to take significant steps and support all the Girl Scouts that we serve. I have always said there is a fourth “C” in Girl Scouting, for “compassion.” That is my hope for the future of our Movement. Compassion mixed with determination and resilience will give Girl Scouts another 111 years of leadership for our members, all of you. I have no doubt that Nation’s Capital will continue its path to excellence.
I will remain steadfast in my support of Girl Scouts as a supporter, a fan, and most importantly, a donor. At The SCA, I will continue championing the impact our youth can have on our planet, working on environmental justice issues across the country and expanding access for more diverse youth to join the environmental justice movement. I am humbled by the opportunity to increase our nation’s climate resiliency, reduce wildfire risks, enhance equity and environmental justice, strengthen urban communities, and implement historic preservation initiatives.
I will remain at Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital until our Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 22nd. I am delighted that our Board Chair, Barbara Krumsiek, has appointed Colleen Cibula, our highly capable Chief Operating Officer, as Acting CEO upon my departure. Colleen and I have worked together, hand-in-hand, these past 18 years and I know that like me, she will make every effort to transition us smoothly into the next chapter. With our amazing board, staff, and volunteers, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital will not miss a beat.
I will continue to do everything for our young people con corazón, with heart, as it says on my “Selfie with the CEO” patch.
Thank you, gracias, for all your support of Girl Scouting.
Lidia Soto-Harmon
CEO from 2010 to 2023
Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital
