WASHINGTON, DC— Girl Scouts Nation's Capital Board of Directors appointed Kim R. Ford as the Council's next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ford emerged as the leading candidate following a nationwide search of more than 250 diverse leaders led by BoardWalk Consulting. The unanimous decision was made during a board meeting held on Tuesday, March 12, affirming the Council's commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and instilling in them the values of confidence, courage, and character. Ford will assume her new role on April 1.
“Kim is an exceptional leader with a track record of nurturing youth and families. She’ll be a terrific role model for our 46,000+ Girl Scouts and 30,000+ adult volunteers. Growing up in the D.C. area, she has spent her career focused on creating opportunities through education and volunteer service. She is passionate about youth leadership and gender equity and the perfect person to lead the Council into a future marked by continued growth and success,” said Barbara Krumsiek, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Board President and Chair.
Ford’s extensive career includes pivotal leadership roles such as President and CEO of Martha's Table, where she successfully raised $17 million annually to advance the organization's mission and led the nonprofit through the challenges of COVID-19. Before this, she served as Acting Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, overseeing $2 billion in workforce development programs. As a Dean of the University of the District of Columbia Community College, she managed programs related to career and technical education. In President Obama's Administration, Ford played a crucial part in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, distributing over $350 billion for economic growth.
“The opportunity for girls to excel and lead has never been greater. As the mother of a young daughter, I am honored to lead the Girl Scouts in their mission to welcome more youth of every background into our dynamic and innovative programs—addressing challenges girls continue to face today—and inspire more volunteers to lead troops in the District of Columbia and 25 counties in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.” —Kim R. Ford
During the search process, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Colleen Cibula, a 20-year veteran of the Council, served as the Acting CEO and will continue as COO. Krumsiek expressed profound gratitude for Colleen’s exceptional leadership in taking on two roles during the search. “Colleen's dedication ensured a seamless operation for the Council, allowing us to effectively implement our programs and advance our mission.”
To learn more about Ford’s professional background and her commitment to youth development and community impact, visit www.gscnc.org/executive-bios.
About Girl Scouts Nation's Capital
Girl Scout Nation’s Capital is the largest council in the nation, with a commitment to build and maintain an inclusive community that respects and supports all our members. Girl Scouts gives grades K-12 the opportunity to discover, connect and take action. Girl Scouts learn new skills, explore STEM, discover the outdoors, become entrepreneurs, all while making new friends and having fun. Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital serves over 76,000 members in 25 counties in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Washington DC. Our mission is to build Girl Scouts of confidence, courage, and character who make the world a better place. To volunteer, donate, reconnect, and discover how you belong in Girl Scouts visit www.gscnc.org.
