7th Annual New England Women's Leadership Summit to Feature Girl Scouts CEO

The New England Women’s Leadership Institute announced that Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chavez is the distinguished keynote speaker at the 7th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit this June. Chavez is an award-winning community leader who served previously as deputy chief of staff for Urban Relations and Community Development under the former Governor of Arizona and current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

Chavez exemplifies the 2014 Summit’s theme of “Blazing the Trail.” Last year alone, she received the 2013 Law College Association Award from the University of Arizona; the 2013 Excellence in Community Service award from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; and the 2013 Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award from the National Council of La Raza. Advocating for women’s roles in science, technology, engineering and math, she was recognized as one of the 100 Women Leaders in STEM by STEM connector. In addition, the Arizona National Guard presented her with the Adjutant General's Medal and the Diversity Champion Leadership Award.

Chavez brought her desire to serve and advocate for women full circle within the Girls Scouts of the USA. As a child, she was Girl Scout in Eloy, Arizona, where she grew up. She went on to become CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in 2009, then accepted the GSUSA's National Board appointment to CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 2011.

“It is, of course, wonderful and important when a girl has the support of a father or older brother. They can offer encouragement and love. But they cannot serve as true role models. It is different for girls to see and learn from women who have already blazed a trail–women who are achieving in fields like STEM and other areas, who can truly be mentors and guides,” wrote Chavez in a recent article for Huffington Post.

Chavez joins the list of eminent speakers such as Robin Roberts, Gloria Steinem, Erin Brockovich and Barbara Corcoran of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” who have previously addressed the Summit. The Women’s Leadership Summit takes place on Wednesday, June 11 beginning at 8 a.m. at St. Anselm College in Manchester. To register, visit www.newli.org/event-registration.

The purpose of the New England Women’s Leadership Summit is to raise awareness of the personal and professional capacities and skills needed by women to advance in the competitive and radically changing world of the 21st century. This regional event is aimed at women interested in both personal and professional growth and in optimizing their career choices now and in the future.