This time of year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Most of all, I am thankful for the big, ole Brownie smiles that we are able to put on the faces of our girls.
Every day I am inspired by the network of support that we’ve built across our council. And all because each of us believes in the importance of enriching a girl’s life.
I am thankful for the parents who drive to meetings and let cookies take over their living rooms.
I am thankful for the volunteers who lend their time and energy so that girls have memories full of giggles, science projects, field trips and friendship.
I am thankful for the donors who believe so deeply in our mission that they invest in the next generation of women leaders.
It’s the thought of supporters like you that makes me proud to be a part of this organization. And that’s what puts a big Brownie smile on my face.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Nancy L. Wright
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
While every Girl Scout is a #CookieBoss, it takes a lot of enthusiasm and determination to become a Cookie CEO. On Monday, Oct. 12, the top five cookie sellers from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) visited the Chicago Gathering Place and were Cookie CEOs for the day.
This year, the Cookie CEOs were Holly Doyle, 12 of Lake Forest; Nina Grotto, 16 of Hinsdale; Morrigan Macho, 14 of Chicago; Taylor Magruder, 18 of Tinley Park; and Mairead Skelton, 16 of Chicago. Together, they sold more than 26,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.
“It feels rewarding and exciting,” said Nina, who raised nearly $18,000 to send about 4,500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to members of the armed forces through the Gift of Caring program. “I’m excited to give feedback to the actual CEO and help improve Girl Scouts as a whole.”
The Cookie CEOs began their busy day by meeting GCNWI CEO Nancy Wright and giving suggestions for improving the member experience, camping and travel programs, as well as incorporating the arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
The Cookie CEOs start their morning by meeting with GCNWI CEO Nancy Wright (center) to suggest improvements to the council.
Afterward, the girls enjoyed a light breakfast with the staff where they received special “My CEO Met Me” patches from Wright. “This patch is really about you and what you want to be,” she said while presenting the patches. “We’re all here to empower you and who you want to be. The patch says ‘live your dreams.’ As you go out in the world, we want you all to live your dreams wherever they may take you.”
Following breakfast, the Cookie CEOs toured the Gathering Place, learned about the various Girl Scout artifacts on display throughout the office and met with several teams, such as marketing, retail and programs. Later in the day, the girls addressed everyone during an all-staff conference call.
Nina, a 16-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador, addresses staff during a midday council-wide conference call.
“I love being here,” Holly, a third-year Cookie CEO, said during the meeting. “Each year, it motivates me to sell a lot of cookies.”
In addition to learning important life skills from selling cookies, such as goal setting, decision making and money management skills, several of the Cookie CEOs said the Girl Scout Cookie Program helped develop their confidence.
“I used to be shy and have low self-esteem,” shared Morrigan. “But Girl Scouts helped me build my people skills. I’m more confident in myself and I have Girl Scouts to thank for that.”
Afterward, the Cookie CEOs had lunch at Maggiano’s Little Italy and visited the set of a hit television show being filmed in Chicago.
“I like being a Cookie CEO because everyone is so welcoming and they’re really nice,” said Taylor, a first-time Cookie CEO.
(From left to right: Morrigan, Holly, Mairead, Taylor and Nina) The Cookie CEOs take a #selfie after meeting with marketing as part of their Twitter takeover. All smiles, here!
Mairead, who returned for a second year as a top cookie seller, agreed.
“It feels good to be a Cookie CEO because you earned it,” she said. “It’s exciting to meet everyone and make new friends.”
