2025 Celebrate Changemakers Program by Girl Scouts River Valleys

Thursday, May 22, 2025 Royalston

A Letter from the CEO

Welcome to Celebrate Changemakers!

Thank you for showing up for Girl Scouts.

On behalf of Girl Scouts River Valleys, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, partners, donors, and community champions. Your belief in the power and potential of Girl Scouts is what fuels this movement—and makes this work not only possible, but unstoppable!

Today, we’re not just recognizing milestones—we’re declaring a bold, unapologetic vision for the future. For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has empowered youth to lead with courage, confidence, character, and in Minnesota, we lean into curiosity. Now, we are expanding our reach—meeting Girl Scouts where they are, especially in middle and high school, in schools, and in communities across our region.

Because the moment is urgent. And the youth rising to meet it are nothing short of extraordinary.

At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we are reimagining leadership. We are building a sisterhood grounded in collaboration over competition—rooted in purpose, joy, and collective courage. We’re preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. But we can’t do it without you.

Our youth don’t just need nostalgia. They need investment. They need bold belief. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of what’s next.

Let’s not just celebrate change—let’s make it! Together!

With gratitude,

Marisa C. Williams CEO, Girl Scouts River Valleys

Program

Introduction

Breakfast Served

Welcome & Opening Remarks –T. Mychael Rambo, Emcee, and Marisa C. Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys

Dream Big, Lead Bigger, Inspire Possibilities –Blessing M. Dadzie, Girl Scouts Member, Girl Scouts Troop 18876

Fund-a-Need –Dawn Selle, VP of Advancement of Girl Scouts River Valleys, and T. Mychael Rambo, Emcee

Board Chair Remarks –Marnie Overman, Board Chair of Girl Scouts River Valleys

Honoring our 2025 Changemaker Honorees –

• Courage

• Sheletta Brundidge (Adult) and Yailen Cazales Roldan (Youth)

• Confidence

• Carla Vernón (Adult) and Julia Hidalgo-Salazar (Youth)

• Character

• Kelly McQueen (Adult) and Savannah Blair (Youth)

• Curiosity

• DeAnna Cummings (Adult) and Megan Barker (Youth)

Fireside Chat –

With our 2025 Changemaker Honorees, moderated by Marisa C. Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys

Closing Remarks

Keynote Speakers

Marisa C. Williams

Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts River Valleys

Marisa Williams is a bold disruptor dedicated to creating opportunities for folks on the margins, particularly women and children. Marisa leads by keeping people at the heart of everything she does. She is a dedicated youth advocate who has received many accolades, including being honored as one of Twin Cities Business Top 100 in 2025. Noting the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector, Marisa is proud to lead with grit and integrity to support the health and wellness, education, entrepreneurship, life skills, and self-love of young people across the region.

Marnie Overman

VP Group Benefits

Securian Financial

Marnie leads the Client Relationship team at Securian Financial, responsible for the satisfaction, retention and growth of large employer group benefit plans. She grew up In Iowa, where she was a Campfire Girl, Girl Scout and 4-H member. Each of these organizations had a positive and strong impact on her future roles in leadership and relationship management. She’s seen firsthand the positive impact of Girl Scouts and as a Board Member, works to bring those opportunities to all girls.

Meet The Emcee

T. Mychael Rambo Actor, Vocalist, Arts Educator & Community Organizer

T. Mychael Rambo is a three-time Midwest Emmy Award winning actor, vocalist, arts educator author, and public speaker who’s made an indelible mark in the Twin Cities performing principal roles at the Guthrie, Penumbra, Ten Thousand Things, the Ordway, Illusion, Mixed Blood, Park Square, History Theatre, Children’s, and Minnesota Opera. Nationally and internationally his credits include Carnegie Hall and performances abroad in Africa, Europe and South America. He appears in local and national television commercials, feature films, HBO mini-series, and other television programming. His most recent endeavor, a collaboration with New York Times best-selling author, Resmaa Menakem to co-author, a companion children’s book to Mr. Menakem’s book My Grandmother’s Hands entitled The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands which is now available both online and in bookstores, nationally. T. Mychael is an accomplished auctioneer and emcee, motivational and public speaker, and affiliate professor in the College of Liberal and the College of Theatre Arts Dance at the University of Minnesota.

Adult Changemaker Honorees

COURAGE

Sheletta Brundidge

Emmy-winning comedian & radio host

Sheletta Brundidge is a fearless advocate and media powerhouse who uses her platform to elevate voices, champion underrepresented communities, and inspire bold action. Her courage is a beacon for those seeking to create lasting change.

CONFIDENCE

Carla

Vernón

CEO, The Honest Company

As a visionary leader at The Honest Company, Carla Vernón brings unwavering confidence to the corporate world, challenging norms and forging new paths for women of color in executive leadership. She leads with conviction and empowers others to do the same.

CHARACTER

Kelly McQueen

Regional President & Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Minnesota

With steadfast integrity and a commitment to service, Kelly McQueen of PNC exemplifies what it means to lead with character. Through her work in finance and community engagement, she demonstrates the power of ethical leadership and resilience.

CURIOSITY

DeAnna Cummings Program Director, McKnight Foundation

A driving force in the arts and philanthropy, DeAnna Cummings of the McKnight Foundation has built a career rooted in curiosity—exploring, learning, and advocating for creative and cultural equity. Her work inspires innovation and transformation in communities.