2023 Annual Report

LIMITLESS

At Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA), we recognize and celebrate the limitless, untapped potential within every girl. We work to lift constraints, societal norms, and expectations and embrace the boundless potential in every one of our Girl Scouts. Our girl-centered, girl-led programming, bolstered by the power of dedicated volunteers, empowers them to pursue their passions and contribute significantly to their communities, making the world a better place.

Dear Girl Scout Family,

We chose the theme for this year’s annual report, Limitless, to recognize and celebrate the untapped potential within every girl. Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles works to lift constraints, societal norms, and expectations and embrace the boundless potential that every girl brings. Whether in STEAM, Outdoors, Life Skills, or Entrepreneurship, Girl Scouts empowers girls to pursue their passions and significantly contribute to their communities.

This report covers our Fiscal Year 2023: October 2022 through September 2023. During this period, GSGLA Girl Scouts engaged in leadership roles in transformational ways. From our Gold Award Girl Scouts contributing over 20,000 hours implementing sustainable change in their communities to our Girl Scout delegates making critical governance decisions at the 56th National Council Session – including passing the historic vote to codify anti-racism into our Movement’s Constitution – GSGLA Girl Scouts proved to themselves and the world that their power to be innovative changemakers and possibility thinkers is limitless.

In 2023, we completed the final year of our Recovery Strategic Plan, which stabilized membership and school partnerships. Thus, we are positioned well to build capacity and cultivate growth in communities unfamiliar with Girl Scouts.

In the following pages, you will see your investment in action through our Girl Scouts’ achievements, the strength of our organizational structure, and enhanced girl programs. We are particularly proud of our Community Partners Program, which guarantees the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is accessible to all girls across the Greater Los Angeles region.

Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our shared vision. Together, let us embrace Girl Scouts' limitless possibilities and work towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Theresa Edy Kiene Chief Executive Officer

Mia Britel Chair, Board of Directors

Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try: To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

10/1/2021 - 9/30/2022

OFFICERS

BOARD CHAIR

Mia Britel

Deloitte Consulting LLP.

FIRST VICE CHAIR

Denise Gutches

FilmLA, Inc.

VICE CHAIR

Renee Fraser

Fraser Communications

VICE CHAIR

Andy Park

EY

VICE CHAIR

Tania Van Herle

Harley Ellis Deveraux

SECRETARY

Erin Oremland

City National Bank

TREASURER

Michelle Wroan

KPMG LLP

CEO

Theresa Edy Kiene

STAFF BOARD LIAISON

Aletha Spann

Board of Directors

Note: This list is for the term 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2023

BOARD MEMBERS

Sue Callaway, Glovebox Media

Carolyn Cassidy, 20th Television at The Walt Disney Company

Dean Catalano, Capital Group

Elisabeth (Liz) Dick, Business Executive

Sonia Endler, Senior Finance Executive

Monique Earl, Guidehouse

Dave Gallagher, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Mackenzie Green, Clique Brands

Sheetal Medatia, Netflix

Bill Nelson, Braille Institute

Jim Niemiec, Entergy

Nina Skorus-Neely, Microsoft

Dawn Solér, ABC Signature / Disney

Anna Tom, Valley National Bank

Community Members

Note: This list is for the term 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2023

Community members are valued advisors who serve on board committees, lending their expertise to specific areas of board oversight.

Anna Armstrong Armstrong & Walker Landscape Architecture

Holly Bowyer Media Marketing Minds

Jane Chamberlin Capital Group

Cheryl Colvin EY

Juanita Dawson

Raytheon Technologies

Patricia Crider Finance Consultant

Lynn Forese RPG

Yonnine Hawkins Garr The Hawkins Company

Linda Griffey Attorney

Honorable Sandra R. Klein United States Bankruptcy Judge

Kathryn Nielsen Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

Mieke Velghe EY

Arlene Falk Withers Executive Coach

Gold Award Project Steps to Specs

Anna H., a GSGLA Ambassador and the recipient of GSUSA’s Gold Award Scholarship, took community service to a whole new level with her “Steps to Specs” project, in which she created a free eyeglasses program in collaboration with the County of Los Angeles and Keck Medicine of USC. The project involved a meticulous process of collecting and sanitizing more than 4,000 pairs of gently used glasses, building a website with a searchable catalog to match available glasses with specific prescriptions, and distributing the glasses to 1,000 – and counting – patients in need.

Our Members

35,500 Girl members served

19,000 Adult members supported Girl Member Race

2,824Girl Scout troops

314 New troops formed

75.9% Girl retention

35% Live in under-resourced communities

8,478 Girls received financial assistance

78 After school partner organizations

*Percent of girl membership is based on responses of those who self-identified, from 33,126 girl members who provided data.

GSGLA Girl Scouts earned 99,623 badges and awards in Entrepreneurship, STEAM, Outdoors, and Life Skills.

Girl Scouts had 33,773 one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences that fostered bravery, confidence, and adventure.

Girls had 54,591 hands-on experiences developing business skills through Girl Scouts Entrepreneurship programming.

212 Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors earned the Gold Award the highest honor in Girl Scouts—for completing powerful take-action projects that made the world a better place.

558 Girl Scout Cadettes were presented the Silver Award for projects that demonstrated their leadership skills, determination, and dedication to improving their communities.

947 Girl Scout Juniors were presented the Bronze Award for group projects that made a difference in their communities.

The World Needs Girl Scouts

80% of women tech leaders were Girl Scouts.

52% of women business leaders were Girl Scouts.

69% of women United States Senators were Girl Scouts.

Nearly all Girl Scout alums hold leadership roles in their careers and communities. And the large majority vote.

Did You Know?

All three women U.S. Secretaries of State were Girl Scouts.

Milestone Events

Gold Award Girl Scouts are celebrated at the Pasadena Civic Center.

Gold Award Ceremony

For the twelfth year in a row, GSGLA boasted the largest Gold Award class in the nation, with 212 Girl Scouts contributing more than 20,000 hours implementing sustainable change in their communities. By earning the Gold Award – the highest and most prestigious award in Girl Scouting – Girl Scouts not only improve their worlds for the better today, they’re securing their limitless, barrier-breaking futures for tomorrow.

The skills Girl Scouts hone through earning the Gold Award – innovative problemsolving, empathetic leadership, confident public speaking, and focused project management – prepare them for vast triumphs in higher education (72% say earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship) and career (87% say earning their Gold Award helped them succeed professionally). Simply put, the Gold Award opens doors and fosters a future of limitless possibilities for girls.

La Casita 75th Anniversary

In December 2023, GSGLA Girl Scouts, volunteers, and staff gathered with community members at La Casita to celebrate the beloved property’s 75th anniversary.

Nestled in the Claremont hillsides, historic La Casita has been cherished by generations of Girl Scouts, offering a space to explore and take safe risks – and ultimately learn that their potential is unlimited.

Guests of La Casita’s 75th anniversary assembled around the property’s campfire ring for s’mores, stories, and songs led by a chorus of past and present Girl Scouts. The event featured opening remarks from our CEO, Theresa Edy Kiene, presentations by local dignitaries, and recognitions of La Casita’s most active supporters and advocates, including Beverly “Jingle” Speak, volunteer extraordinaire, who played a pivotal role in organizing the celebration.

Arcadia Opening

GSGLA properties are more than real estate – they're the backdrop to endless memorable moments, the setting of abundant joy, the space where girls thrive.

Last fall, Girl Scouts and their families, GSGLA leadership, and local dignitaries gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of our newest property, the Arcadia Service Center. Though the space is new, Girl Scouts’ presence in Arcadia is not. Girl Scouts has a long, rich history in Arcadia and today, GSGLA serves 10,000+ members in the area.

Guests explored the beautiful, Pinterest-worthy meeting and collaboration space, shopped for Girl Scout gear, and engaged in lively conversation. Girl Scouts of all ages were in attendance, and their energy was palpable. Daisies were frequently spotted holding hands unprompted, exemplifying the Girl Scout sisterhood. Older girls represented too – Senior Girl Scout Amanda E., who is a member of GSGLA’s robotics team and is currently pursuing her STEAM-focused Gold Award was present, as well as Ambassador Alique T., who earned her Gold Award addressing the impact of social media on teen girls’ body image and mental health.

Ribbon cutting at Arcadia Service Center.

National Council Session

A record-breaking number of GSGLA girl delegates – ten! – attended Girl Scouts’ 56th National Council Session (NCS), representing our members’ interests, voting on proposals, and electing the National Board of Directors. California had the highest delegation at NCS and GSGLA had the largest delegation within the state.

Our Girl Scouts were tasked with making critical governance decisions to help move our organization forward – and they delivered. GSGLA delegates expertly made motions, contributed to discussions, cast informed votes, and carried out the democratic process in order to pass landmark changes, including codifying anti-racism into our Movement’s Constitution. The addition of the word “anti-racism” in the preamble is a monumental step forward in our work to ensure that Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization that inherently enlists intentional strategies in culture, program, and service to foster involvement and remove barriers – especially for those who have historically been excluded or marginalized, so that girls, families, volunteers, and staff of all backgrounds feel that Girl Scouts is for them.

GSGLA Girl Scout Delegates in Orlando, Florida

Troop Start Up

One-third of GSGLA Girl Scouts live in under-resourced communities. Our vision is to prepare all girls for a lifetime of leadership—no matter their family’s background or socioeconomic status.

GSGLA’s Troop Start-Up (TSU) assistance program waives membership fees and provides pretty much everything troops need to get started, including uniforms and badgework.

TSU troops (such as the Kern-based troops featured) do everything that non-

TSU troops do – from cookies to camping to community service (and everything in between.)

Mental Health

Girls today are experiencing more sadness and hopelessness than ever before and are suffering from poor mental health at more than twice the rate of boys. Addressing this, and providing programming that helps instill courage confidence and character, has never been more important. GSGLA is prioritiizing mental health initiatives for all Girl Scout levels and has several successful, ongoing programs.

Last May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, GSGLA developed and delivered mental health and wellness content for Girl Scouts and their families including Live Well, Be Well: Mental Health and Wellness Girl Summit, an Emerging Leaders program in which middle and high school Girl Scouts participated in four mental health workshops: Resiliency and Perseverance, Healthy Relationships, Body Image and Eating Disorders, and Expressing Emotions through Art.

Camp

In 2023, 350 Girl Scouts received camperships (financial aid to attend one of GSGLA's day or overnight camps) totaling more than $150,000.

Said one parent: “Thank you very much for awarding my daughter a campership to attend Camp Lakota's equestrian session. Our family has experienced significant financial hardship since the pandemic, and we have not been able to afford to give her these types of experiences. Because of the campership, my daughter was able to be in nature with her Girl Scout sisters — learning, growing, and having fun! I give you a deep bow of gratitude.”

To the Moon and Back

Uma E. won GSUSA's national “Girl Scouts to the Moon and Back” essay contest and earned a Space Science badge that traveled onboard the historic Artemis I mission and into space, proving that Girl Scouts’ potential truly knows no bounds. Uma's achievement was recognized at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) Advisory Council for Women (ACW) event in July.

Fun Fact: Did you know that nearly every woman astronaut who has flown into space was a Girl Scout?!

Juliette Gordon Low Society

We are proud to recognize the following individuals who have included Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles as a beneficiary in their wills, retirement accounts, trusts, or insurance plans as of January 2022. For more information or to join the Juliette Gordon Low Society, please contact giving@girlscoutsla.org.

Corrine Abel

LaNease Adams

Lissa Alfred

Erik and Eva Andersen Girl Scout Movementwide Challenge Planned Gift

Anonymous

Lisa Axelrod

Carolyn Baker

David A. and Julie Battaglia

Julie and Kenneth Beals

Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder

Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder Girl Scout Movement-wide Challenge Planned Gift

Betty Berdiansky

Steve Bolkovatz

Gail I. Boyle

Moira Brady

Betsy L. and Donald Brewer

Michele Broadnax

Chrystal Broesel

Constance L. Burg

Amy Caponpon

Jessica Cardenas

Katy Carlson

Charles Carroll

Elizabeth Chadwick

Hailyn J. Chen

Rachel Ivy Clarke

Debbie Cook

Patricia A. and Curtis Crider

Phyllis E. Currie

Christine A. Dean and Rosemary C. Veniegas

Carol M. Dedrich

Isabella Del Gaudio

Steven DePaul

Katharine DeShaw and Mark McConnell

Jennifer N. Devereaux

Elisabeth L. Dick

Juanita Doplemore

Barry and Peggy Edwards

Sonia Endler

Marie J. Fouts

Renee W. Fraser, Ph.D.

Diana L. Freeman

Liisa and Michael Froggatt

Megann Giardino

Linda and Jay Griffey

Diane K. Grohulski

Denise Gutches

Gloria and Bob Halfacre

Joseph Hirsch

Erika Homan

Bernie Horst

Denise Hsu

Alana Hyman

Laurie and Hannah Jacobs

Shannon Johnston

Theresa Edy Kiene and Matthew Kiene

Sherry Lapides

Lise L. Luttgens

Lynn Mack-Costello and Joseph Costello

Marilyn and Dale Marshall

Megan Martin and Brian Long

Toni Martinez-Burgoyne and Rod Burgoyne

Karen Masini

Kelly and Jason Maxwell

Gina McLeod

Eleanor Moninger

Ann Moore

Frances M. Moreno

William M. Nelson

Kathryn E. Nielsen

Denise and Ken Nowack

Erin and Jason Oremland

Adrienne Pacheco

Beverly Frances Padway

Marie Hamer Parco

Melissa and Martino Pepe

Sharis Peters

Aileen O. Poehls

Ruth L. Post

Janice Rector

Elisabeth Rendeiro

Leanne J. Rodgers

Sylvia and Paul Rosenberger

Margaret Rosenthal

Shamira Sadler

Danielle Sager-Ebling

Michelle and Robert Sarrow

Ron Schrantz

Yvonne and Robert Schueller

Steve Shelton

Ellen E. and Robert F. Swarts

Chara Swodeck

Cortney Szlemp

Francesca Taylor and Ann Giagni

Cindy and Ben Tenn

Shelley B. Thompson

Tania Van Herle

Marie-Louise and Kenneth Van Horne

PJ Walker

Diane Weaver

Harry S. Webb

Janet Whaley and Steven Preston

Michelle C. Wroan

Brenda J. Zamzow

Margaret B. Zarate

Donors

10/1/2022 – 9/30/2023

$100,000+

National Recreation Foundation

$50,000+

EY

John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation

Little Brownie Bakers

Long Beach Community Foundation

Santa Monica Westside Legacy Fund for Women and Girls

TechMD

$25,000+

Capital Group

HK Charitable Fund, a Donor Advised Fund of Renaissance Charitable Foundation

Joan Jones

PNC Financial Services

SOLV

The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation

$10,000+

CarMax

Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

Citizens Business Bank

Clifford Swan Investment Counselors

Fraser Communications and Renee

W. Fraser, Ph.D.

KPMG LLP

Lakeview Foundation

Lon V. Smith Foundation

Kathleen L. McCarthy

The Perez Family Fund

Skanska

U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation

Universal Television, LLC

The Walt Disney Company

Michelle C. Wroan

$5,000+

Biometrics4ALL

Betsey L. Brewer

Carolyn Cassidy and Zach McGee

Cheryl M. Hundley Colvin

Crowe LLP

Deloitte

Elisabeth L. Dick

Sonia and Sean Endler

Sue and James J. Femino

Kathy and Dave Gallagher

Harry & Jessica Conniff Fund #2

HED

JorgensenHR

M2 Media Group

Mara W. Breech Foundation

The Mariposas Hernandez Fund/ Kristina Hernandez

William M. Nelson

Beverly Frances Padway

Southern California Edison

Robert and Ellen Swarts

Unity Charitable Fund

U.S. AutoForce

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.

Avadhesh and Uma Agarwal

Lissa Alfred

American Realty Advisors Charitable Foundation

Anonymous

Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services LLC

Mary and Clyde Bankston

Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder

Blue Shield of California

Mia Britel

Constance L. Burg

Sue Callaway

Ava-Kathryn Capossela

Dean and Katina Catalano

Jane Chamberlin

Wa H. Chan

Craig Chasseur

City National Bank

City of Claremont

City of Los Angeles

Lois Cox

Christie and Sean Crahan

Phyllis E. Currie

Daniel C. Jackling Endowment Fund

Erin Dawkins and Matthew Aaronson

Juanita Dawson

Barry and Peggy Edwards

Elasticsearch

Georgianna Erskine

Golnessa Fathi

Lynn Forese

Kristin Fossum

Friends of Falkon Robotics

Girl Scout Troop 01435

Girl Scout Troop 03213

Girl Scout Troop 08742

Girl Scout Troop 10825

Google, Inc.

Margaret A. Gordon

Linda and Jay Griffey

GSGLA Burbank Service Unit 601

Denise Gutches

Olivia Kelly

Theresa Edy Kiene and Matthew Kiene

Kimberly Krivis

Sami Lavin

Robert and Dana Longfield

Maxine Lu

Brianna Luce

Lynn Mack-Costello and Joseph Costello

Macy's

Marsh

Sheetal Medatia

Microsoft

Margot and Mitchell Milias

Brittany Mosquera

Netflix

Kathryn E. Nielsen

James Niemiec

Scott Odahl

Joseph Ollivier

Wallace Payne

Terilyn and John Proffitt

Geneva Robertson-Dworet

Tammie Scott

Sempra Energy

Frederick and Linda Shell

Skorus-Neely Family Charitable Fund

SoCalGas

Dawn Solér

Sony Pictures Entertainment

The Starbucks Foundation

Survey Monkey

Susan and John Major Donor

Advised Fund at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation

Mary Taylor

Anna Tom

Barbara S. Topkis

Trophy Nut Company

Tustin Woodcrest Gardens Apts. LLC

Alysia Vanitzian and Michael Backauskas

Kiersten Walker

Harry S. Webb

Whittier Trust Company

Brenda J. Zamzow

$500+

Adobe AmazonSmile Foundation

Bonnie Arnold

Alex and Sean Ashworth

Karin Berger Stellar and Sean Stellar

Cindy and Gary Bernsdorf

Gail Chambers

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc.

Janet Davis

Gerald and Kathleen Delker

Dudley H. Doan

Kathleen and Jim Doty

Stacey and Wesley Fifield

Girl Scout Troop 03655

Girl Scout Troop 06991

Girl Scout Troop 09051

Girl Scout Troop 11995

Donald Y. Goldberg

MacKenzie Ann Green

Ryan Hass

Tom and Mei Kwong

Laura and Luis Leal

Sherman McClellan

Lori Miller

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Ann Olson

OMG X GWI

Erin and Jason Oremland

Marie Hamer Parco

R. S. Sanchéz de Paíz

Mariette and Alexander Sawchuk

Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC

Margaret and Henry Stimson

Tyson & Mendes LLP

Victoria and Charles Hill

Wal-Mart Foundation

Stacey Watson

Diane Weaver

Tandy and Ric Wilson

Arlene Withers

Lori Zeman

$250+

Vickie Adams

Madelyn Alfano

Wesley Aping

Apple, Inc.

Lisa Axelrod

Jeremy Baker

Rebecca Bakken

Sharon Bergh and Ray Cardinas

Jeff B. Berner

Lara Branch

Nolinda and William Caswell

Joan L. Chandler

Katharine Cohen

Robbie Davis

Jean S. and Roger S. Dunn

Ms. Clare Durand

David and Mindy Fisher

Christine E. Geosling

Anne and Thomas Gessner

Girl Scout Troop 01575

Givinga Foundation, Inc.

Hilary and Lee Gregg

Fernando Guerra and Lali De Aztlan

Arlene Hercher

Heather Hetrick

Christy Hodson

Nisha and Christopher Horton

Peter and Henrietta Huisking

Helen Hurston

The Huston Giving Fund

Rebecca and Charlie Hutchinson

Elizabeth Jones

Jessie Klemme

Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough

Susie Lang

Karla Lewis

Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive

Margaret and William Lyons

Karen Masini

Cheryl and Jeremy Miller

Deanne Moore

MSS Blue Madonna - Troop 16886

Gale and John Musker

Mr. and Mrs. John Navarrete

Louis Nevell

Jeanne O'Donnell

Teresa and Roger On

Jaclyn Quinlan

Millu and Gerardo Ramirez

Christina Rice

Rita Rivera

Denise Roberts

Marc Robins

Carol Shively and Roger Anderson

Elizabeth and Robert Soukup

Georgeann Spivack

Peggy and Michael Stahlheber

Elizabeth Topkis

Mieke Velghe

Amaree Vichairattanawong

Gina Witt and the Knecht family, in honor of our Aunt Lynn Warner

Jennifer Yen Thank

Girl Scout Mission

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

girlscoutsla.org