GSCCC CEO Recognized by Women’s Leadership Council

Tracy Keller with Girl Scout Cadette Tyra from Norfolk.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO Tracy Keller and nine other local women were recognized at the United Way of South Hampton Roads Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) Luncheon for being champion donors this year. Their donations support the WLC Endowment Fund, which was created to provide a legacy of continuous support for programs that serve the needs of disadvantaged women and their families.

In the past year, the WLC Endowment Fund has invested over $100,000 in the local community to support low-to-moderate income women and their families. Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is one of the organizations supported by the WLC for preparing the next generation of leaders with strong values, a social conscience and a deep sense of self-empowerment through programs at United for Children’s P.B. Young Elementary School, Tidewater Park Elementary School and Ruffner Middle School. Other organizations supported by the WLC Endowment Fund during the past year include: Salvation Army’s H.O.P.E. Village, YWCA of South Hampton Roads’ childcare program, Samaritan House’s Housing Now program and Children’s Health Investment Program.

Tyra, who spoke on behalf of GSCCC at the luncheon, with

Girl Scout volunteers Carol Spellman and Toni Taylor and

Deb Butler, keynote speaker

The luncheon, which was held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, was attended by 750 women in the community. Deborah Butler, recently retired executive vice president planning and chief information officer for Norfolk Southern Corp., was the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Butler, who is a Girl Scout alumnae and was honored as a Girl Scout Famous Former in 2013, spoke about the power of collaboration. Butler was recognized as a champion donor by the Women’s Leadership Council in 2008.

The Women’s Leadership Council is a local network of nearly 900 women leaders dedicated to improving the quality of life for women and their families in South Hampton Roads. For more information, visit www.unitedwayshr.org.