Kimberly Coley to Lead New Girl Scout External Affairs Office

    VENTURA, CA, May 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The latest in a series of events marking the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting will be a May 24 reception introducing Kimberly Coley who has recently been appointed Vice President of External Affairs for Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast (GSCCC). Coley, who brings a wealth of experience in community advocacy, volunteer coordination, youth program, and marketing and public relations, will head-up a new Girl Scout office in Santa Barbara. Ms. Coley's primary responsibilities will be to serve as a Girl Scout leadership liaison for Santa Barbara, and to oversee community engagement and resource development across the six counties that make up the council.

"Girl Scouting is reaching a lot of girls in Santa Barbara through traditional troops, and through programs like A-OK and Fun in the Sun," said Sherry Sybesma, Chief Executive Officer for GSCCC. "Plans are in process to expand our proven anti-bullying curriculum to Santa Barbara middle schools. This new vice president position demonstrates the council's strong commitment to helping girls in this community become leaders in their own lives and the wider world."

The reception, which will be held at The University Club, is hosted by Laura Benson and Northern Trust. Connie Lindsey, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Northern Trust, is the National Board President of Girl Scouts of the USA. Lindsey and Benson are alumnae of the Girl Scout program, which has graduated more successful women than all of the top business schools in the country combined.

The May 24 event will also mark the launch of the council's Second Century Circle (www.girls2lead.org), a 100th Anniversary campaign to reconnect Girl Scout alumnae and supporters. "I'm excited to be joining an organization that has a century of experience in leadership development for girls," said Coley. "I look forward to empowering community members to invest in the future of Girl Scouting as a way to make the world we all share a better place."

"However, the 100th Anniversary is less about where grown-up Girl Scouts are today, rather where girls will go tomorrow," added Sybesma. "Kimberly's focus on community engagement and resource development will assure the council can continue to help today's girls become tomorrow's leaders in the century that lies ahead."

A native of Knoxville Tennessee, Ms. Coley has a solid network in the Santa Barbara community through her work in Santa Barbara schools with the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department, her membership in the Junior League of Santa Barbara, and her volunteer work in the area.

About Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast
Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast serves nearly 10,000 girls in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Over 5,500 committed adult volunteers serve as leaders, coordinators and facilitators. In 2010-2011, thirty-three Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts on the central coast earned the highest award in Girl Scouting: the Girl Scout Gold Award. GSCCC joins with Girl Scouts of the USA in celebrating the organization's 100th Anniversary. To join, or volunteer, call 800-822-2427, or visit www.girlscoutsccc.org. To donate, visit www.girls2lead.org.

# # #