Congratulations to Our 2025 Cool Women!
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts San Diego has been the premier organization for developing and elevating girl and women leaders, providing year-round programs for more than 15,000 girls in San Diego and Imperial counties. Beyond traditional leadership development, our relevant programs and experiences foster a sense of well-being in girls, so they are well-rounded individuals poised for success in life.
Each Women’s History Month, Girl Scouts San Diego hosts the beloved Cool Women Celebration, which honors exemplary women whose personal and professional lives make them extraordinary role models for girls.
This year’s event on Friday, March 14 will shine a spotlight on five remarkable women from diverse fields—ranging from education and social impact to entrepreneurship and law— and acknowledge their efforts in breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations.
Join us for an inspiring day at the 2025 Cool Women Celebration!
Friday, March 14, 2025
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
We had an amazing pool of nominations and finalists for this year’s class of Cool Women. And now, we are thrilled to announce our 2025 Cool Women honorees!
- Julie Dubick, Chief of Staff and Strategic Partners Advisor, The Conrad Prebys Foundation
- Dr. Tina M King, President, San Diego College of Continuing Education
- Luisa McCarthy, Co-Owner, La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary
- Debbie Rider, Esq., Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, University of San Diego School of Law
- Nancy Sasaki, President and CEO, United Way of San Diego County
Read on to learn more about these incredible leaders in our community and the impact of this empowering event.
The 2025 Cool Women Celebration will also highlight the achievements of our largest-ever class of 53 Emerging Leader Girl Scouts in grades 10-12 who are dedicated to developing their leadership skills and making a lasting impact on the world. The transformative Emerging Leader Girl Scout program provides opportunities for teenage Girl Scouts to hone their skills through advanced workshops to learn and practice communication, public speaking, developing a personal brand, and networking in person and online. It empowers girls from various backgrounds to connect and realize their collective potential to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
“In the future, I plan to pursue a career in either mathematics, cognitive science, journalism, or education—or maybe something with all four! The Emerging Leaders program has allowed me to learn about these careers and build the skills needed to be successful,” reflected 12th grade Emerging Leader, Delilah S.
At the 2025 Cool Women Celebration, more than 600 local community members will gather at the iconic downtown Marriott Marquis for a one-of-a-kind luncheon and inspiring award ceremony. The event will include mentoring opportunities, networking, and the chance to engage with the region’s next generation of leaders and movers.
"The Cool Women Celebration is a celebration of leadership and community,” said event co-chairs Natasha Bowman and Joyce Gattas. “This event is about inspiring future change-makers and creating a last impact in San Diego. It’s a moment to honor the trailblazing women among us, while also investing in the future by inspiring young women to lead with purpose and passion.”
Meet Our Cool Women of 2025
Julie Dubick, Chief of Staff and Strategic Partners Advisor, The Conrad Prebys Foundation
A former trial attorney at the United States Department of Justice and later appointed Assistant Director of the United States Marshals Service, Julie Dubick left the government as the highest-ranking woman in federal law enforcement. She was a partner at the law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek before entering public service as Director of Policy and then Chief of Staff to former Mayor Jerry Sanders. Julie also taught law as an adjunct professor at California Western School of law and worked as a facilitator guiding decision-making for government, nonprofit and corporate organizations.
Julie has served in leadership positions on numerous boards, including two terms on the Girl Scouts San Diego board of directors. She is a founding member and past president of the San Diego Women's Foundation, audit and governance chair of the California Women's Foundation, and Words Alive board vice-president. Julie is a founding board member of Endeavor Bank, an innovative, local bank focused on small- and medium-sized community businesses.
Julie loves being in nature, learning and reading with her book club group, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband Mitch are the proud parents of three adult children and their families.
Dr. Tina M King, President, San Diego College of Continuing Education
Dr. Tina M King is a transformative educational leader whose vision is guided by the core values of inclusive excellence, equity-mindedness, and institutional responsibility for student success. She is a tireless advocate who is passionate about issues that affect policy in public education.
Dr. King has served in every sector of public education in California, having begun her career as a middle school teacher in the Compton Unified School District, then moving to postsecondary education as the student affairs officer at California State University, Fullerton. She later became the first director of institutional research and planning at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) in the North Orange County Community College District. At Southwestern College, she was the assistant superintendent and vice president for student affairs, overseeing more than 300 educators and nearly 30,000 students. Here, she also spearheaded the Basic Needs Hub and led the development of a $90 million student union complex.
Currently as president of San Diego College of Continuing Education, Dr. King oversees and advocates for 30,000 students. She is also a professor at San Diego State University, teaching equity-minded approaches to graduate students in postsecondary educational leadership.
Dr. King received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in Pan African Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University Northridge. She holds a Master of Arts in Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential from the University of Southern California and a Doctorate in Community College Leadership from California State University, Fullerton.
Luisa McCarthy, Co-Owner, La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary
Born in Mexico as an only child, Luisa McCarthy was immersed in a heritage rich with culture and creativity at an early age—elements that have shaped who she is today.
During a 15-year career in corrections, she was the first woman to be integrated into the Correctional Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) for the San Diego City Jail. She played a pivotal role in controlling three major riots and served as the lead investigator for several high-profile crime scenes. Despite these notable achievements, Luisa felt the pull to explore another passion.
Now, as the co-owner of La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary, Luisa develops a deep connection with the local community. She transformed the second-oldest cemetery in San Diego County into a welcoming and meaningful space, organizing successful annual events that bring people together. Through her efforts, she created opportunities for the community to honor veterans on Memorial Day and celebrate "Día de Los Muertos." Her celebrations have earned a reputation for being the most traditional and authentic of their kind in San Diego County. Today, Luisa is also an advocate for historical preservation in Lincoln Acres as the co-founder of the La Vista Historical Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving history and cultural traditions.
Luisa earned a Master of Arts in Management from the University of Redlands in 2014, where she graduated with academic honors.
Debbie Rider, Esq., Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, University of San Diego (USD) School of Law
Debbie Rider is an accomplished, results-driven development professional with proven fundraising skills for educational and non-profit organizations. Currently, she leads all facets of fund development for USD School of Law, including cultivating major donors, directing annual fundraising and special events, soliciting of corporate and planned giving, and driving a $31.5 million capital campaign in support of scholarships, academic programs, and infrastructure.
Previously, she served as associate director of development for USD School of Law and chief development officer of Girl Scouts San Diego, where she directed a $1.5 million capital campaign to build a new cabin on the Balboa Campus.
Co-leading a Girl Scout troop for her daughter, Emersen (Emme), provided the foundation for Debbie’s service as a leader and Emme’s experience as a Silver Award Girl Scout. Girl Scouts has been a true bonding experience and has given both women some of their longest-lasting friendships and connections.
As a volunteer, Debbie has served on numerous boards across the region and received awards for her community service. She is currently on the board of Cristo Rey San Diego High School and Patrons of the Prado, and she is serving her eleventh year on USD's Paralegal Advisory Committee.
With a love of children, education, leadership, and justice, Debbie takes joy and satisfaction for her work in the San Diego community. She is blessed to have the support of a loving family, work she enjoys, friends she can count on, and examples of faith she can look to for inspiration.
Nancy Sasaki, President and CEO, United Way of San Diego County
Nancy Sasaki is the president and CEO of the United Way of San Diego County, a nonprofit organization that works to spark breakthrough community action to elevate every child and family toward a brighter future.
She has had a long tenure within the nonprofit industry, demonstrating leadership, compassion, innovation, and excellence for more than 35 years. She was the former executive director of Alliance Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and had a 30-year career with Planned Parenthood in Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. Currently, she serves on the boards of directors for the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, the San Diego Workforce Partnership Policy, and 2-1-1 San Diego.
As a CEO, Ms. Sasaki uses many of the skills she learned as a young Girl Scout: goal setting, teamwork, and being a leader in the community. A Girl Scout throughout elementary school, she fondly remembers earning badges, camping, and making friends. Later, she passed on the Girl Scout traditions to her daughter, who now lives in Austin, TX. In her free time, she enjoys playing beach volleyball and tennis.
The Cool Women Celebration Impact
Through community support and by forging powerful connections between Cool Women honorees, Emerging Leader Girl Scouts, executive mentors, and partner organizations, Girl Scouts San Diego is advancing female leadership in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Event proceeds support programs that empower Girl Scouts to develop a strong sense of self, step outside their comfort zones, use their voices, and build resilience.
Join us on Friday, March 14 to honor and celebrate the current and future leaders in our community. Reserve your sponsorships, tables, or tickets for the 2025 Cool Women Celebration today.
Questions? Email Betsy Paige or call 619-610-0801.
