Sylvia Acevedo Named Interim CEO Of Girl Scouts Of The USA

NEW YORK, June 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) today announced that Sylvia Acevedo, a member of the organization's National Board of Directors and longtime advocate for Hispanic, girls', and women's causes, has been appointed interim chief executive officer. She succeeds Anna Maria Chávez, who has served as CEO of GSUSA since 2011.

Earlier this month, Ms. Chávez notified the National Board of Directors of her desire to actively explore a return to public service. Ms. Chávez and the National Board have mutually agreed on an effective departure date of June 30, 2016. Ms. Chavez will assist Ms. Acevedo in her transition to interim CEO.

Kathy H. Hannan, President of GSUSA's Board of Directors, said the organization would begin an immediate national search to find a permanent successor to Ms. Chávez. 

Ms. Acevedo, who is secretary of the National Board and serves on its executive committee, is also a White House commissioner on the Presidential Initiative for Hispanic Educational Excellence and a national advocate for STEM education. She is a strategic consultant to companies that wish to use technology to capitalize on demographic trends, and she previously served as president and CEO of Communicard LLC, a firm that used innovative technology to harness market trends.

Ms. Hannan said, "Sylvia Acevedo is the ideal choice to lead GSUSA during this transitional period. She is an officer of the National Board of Directors and a talented technology executive who has held positions with some of the world's most respected companies. She has earned national prominence with regard to women's and Hispanic issues. Most importantly, she understands our mission and is committed to leading us forward."

Ms. Acevedo, who earned her bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from New Mexico State University and a master of science from Stanford University, has long championed the importance of STEM education for young women.

"I am honored to have been selected for this role," said Ms. Acevedo. "Throughout my career, I have been committed to giving girls the skills they need to excel in life, and I truly believe they can change the world at this decisive moment in history through their courage, confidence, and character."

Ms. Hannan added, "Anna's efforts have elevated Girl Scouts' brand and created a stronger partnership with the Girl Scout councils. We thank her for her commitment to Girl Scouts and the important role she played in shaping and achieving our priorities. We wish Anna great success as she directs her boundless energy to public service."

"It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Girl Scouts," said Ms. Chávez. "It is an organization very close to my own beginnings, and I credit Girls Scouts with building in me the confidence and desire to make this a world where girls can realize their full potential. Girl Scouts and its leadership, at every level, are dedicated to achieving that goal, and I am honored to have been part of the mission."

She added, "Over the last eight years my Girl Scout work at the local and national level has been extremely satisfying, and I leave with the knowledge that the Girl Scout Movement is poised to move in exciting new directions and achieve even greater success."

We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.7 million strong—1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents. Today we continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA

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