Girl Scouts of OC raises $381,000+ at “Celebrate Leadership” anniversary event

On Friday, Nov. 8, more than 290 Orange County community and business leaders came together for a very special 10th anniversary of “Celebrate Leadership,” Girl Scouts of Orange County’s event recognizing Orange County champions of girls and women.

Held at Fashion Island Hotel, attendees donated $381,045 (gross) to support Girl Scouts’ leadership development programs for nearly 20,000 Girl Scouts representing every ZIP Code in Orange County, and to reach more girls across OC with Girl Scouts’ life-changing benefits.

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Photos by Happy Photos

(L-R) G.I.R.L.™ honoree Carole Moreno, co-owner, Angels Baseball with Girl Scout Junior Izzy Silberman

Congratulations to these 2019 “Celebrate Leadership” honorees:

–G.I.R.L. (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)™ honoree - Carole Moreno, co-owner, Angels Baseball.

–Man Enough To Be A Girl Scout honoree - J. Allen Brack, president, Blizzard Entertainment.

–Community Impact honoree - Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund.

–Gold Award Girl Scout honoree -
Isabella Madrigal, 17-year-old Girl Scout Ambassador from Orange County School of the Arts.

In addition, recognition went to Girl Scouts’ 2019 Advancing Women in Leadership – Top Workplace Impact honoree - Experian and Top Workplace Impact nominees - Gensler and Kaiser Permanente.

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 (L-R) “Celebrate Leadership” co-chair and Girl Scouts OC board member Julie Farbaniec and Gold Award Girl Scout Megan Loh present J. Allen Brack, honoree, with symbolic Girl Scout Badge

Girl Scouts’ top three Advancing Women in Leadership nominees were selected by an impartial panel of judges, who reviewed dozens of nominations from companies across OC taking action to achieve gender equality in the workplace. Experian was announced as the winner of this new accolade.

“At Girl Scouts, we are in the business of building strong, confident leaders, and we know we can’t do it alone,” said Girl Scouts of Orange County CEO Vikki Shepp. “Over the past decade, ‘Celebrate Leadership’ has recognized 81 extraordinary local Girl Scout alum and Orange County trailblazers who are making our world a more welcoming and equitable place so that all girls can thrive. We are so proud to recognize these champions of diversity and inclusion, who are showing the world that there are no limits to what girls and women can achieve. Their leadership and passion to make our world a better place serve as inspiration for Orange County’s nearly 20,000 Girl Scouts and the 13,000 volunteers and adult members who support them,” Shepp shared.

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(L-R) “Celebrate Leadership” co-chairs Julie Farbaniec, sr. director, human resources, Blizzard Entertainment and Roberta Swanson, v.p., tax, Western Digital with Girl Scouts of OC CEO Vikki Shepp

Each “Celebrate Leadership” honoree was paired with a current Girl Scout (K-12 grade), providing tomorrow’s leaders with opportunities to connect and mentor with the leaders of today. The Girl Scouts, ranging in age from 7-17, shared how their honorees inspire them to accomplish their goals and pursue their dreams. Honorees were presented with a custom art piece created by their Girl Scout partner, a symbolic Girl Scout badge highlighting elements from the honoree’s unique leadership journey. Consistent with Girl Scouts’ commitment to being girl-led, Girl Scout Junior Kayla Teng (age 9) from Los Alamitos and Girl Scout Cadette Alivia Seard (age 13) from Seal Beach emceed the program. The all-female Mariachi Band, Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas, kicked off the evening’s program serenading the audience alongside Girl Scout Folklorico dancers from Troop 1918.

Attendees sipped Lemonade Fizz libations (inspired by Girl Scouts’ popular Lemonades Cookie) and browsed more than 80 silent auction items, including tickets to the Pacific Symphony, a St. Thomas vacation, Disneyland Park Hopper passes, private party with Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, a Bloomingdale’s Fashion and Friends experience and more. Photo booths and prize wheels, where guests had an additional opportunity to win a $500 shopping spree at South Coast Plaza, entertained guests.

Action heated up during the live auction. Guests bid on a Luxury Suite at Disney on Ice, Jay Leno Garage Tour and Aston Martin three-day lease, an Angels “Play Ball” Experience, a $2,000 GARYS gift card and Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club outing, in-home cooking class with Chef Jamie Gwen and two private parties at the Argyros Girl Scout Leadership Center to view the 111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

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(L-R) Girl Scout Brownie Eliana Pham with Julie Miller-Phipps, pres., Kaiser Permanente Southern California Health Plan and Hospitals

An event committee, co-chaired by Julie Farbaniec, senior director, Human Resources for Blizzard Entertainment, and Roberta Swanson, vice president, Tax for Western Digital, contributed to the highest net revenue in the history of “Celebrate Leadership.”

Funds raised will support Girl Scouts of Orange County’s commitment to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts become the best version of themselves as they explore and experience STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurism programs and participate in badge-earning opportunities.