Girl Scouts honor business leaders, scouts Tuesday
If Girl Scouts is all about affirming and empowering members, then it stands to reason that the organization looks to the future and recognizes women in leadership who are paving the way.
The Girl Scouts' annual Celebration of Achievement reception aims to do just that -- recognize women in business who are making a difference, along with honoring high-achieving Girl Scouts, too.
Playing host will be officials with Girl Scouts, Illinois Crossroads Council, based in Vernon Hills, who will welcome guests at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hyatt Deerfield.
The council is the largest in the state and the fourth largest in the nation, serving more than 36,000 girls and 9,500 adult volunteers in 102 communities in Northern Illinois.
A total of six women executives will receive the organization's Community Women of Achievement awards, while 20 Girl Scouts will receive the Girl Scout Gold Award and another five teens will receive scholarships.
"These awards all exemplify leadership in their communities," says Sandra Royer, communications director. "Their positive influence is immeasurable."
The six Community Women of Achievement include: Sarah Flax, City of Evanston grants professional; Donna Funk, senior vice president of HSBC, North American Holdings; Gael Hanauer, ethics consultant; Cadi Nones, founder and CEO of Arcadia LLC in Bannockburn; Pat Shehorn, Westlake Hospital Executive vice president and Wende Wilson, CEO of Girl Scouts, Illinois Crossroads Council.
For Wilson, the award culminates a career with the Girl Scouts that includes serving as CEO of councils in Pennsylvania, Florida and Oregon, as well as two councils in Illinois.
"I am proud that each council has grown in girl membership and in financial security during my tenure," says Wilson, who lives in Mundelein. "I always saw that as taking care of today's girls, while assuring a solid future for the next generation."
Gael Hanauer of Batavia worked her way up the ranks at Sears, earning the title of vice president of human resources and chief ethics officer, all after starting her career dressing mannequins.
She credits her experience in Girl Scouts with giving her the foundation and confidence she needed to take on leadership roles.
"I strongly believe that what young women learn in the Scouting movement -- beyond teamwork -- is courage and leadership," Hanauer says. "I know my own career was heavily influenced by understanding at an early age what I saw other adults doing."
Funk heads up community and philanthropic services for HSBC, which includes locations in Prospect Heights, Vernon Hills and Mettawa. She also serves on the board of the Illinois Crossroads Council.
"We want to provide a nurturing environment for girls and teach them how to make the right choices," Funk says, "so they can maximize those opportunities in life when they grow up.
"Empowering girls at an early age," she adds, "will serve them their entire lives."