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Sold-Out 2024 Cool Women Celebration Honors Five Remarkable Women Leaders
On Thursday, March 21, Girl Scouts San Diego (GSSD) hosted the sold-out 24th annual Cool Women Celebration. During a mentoring session, luncheon, and ceremony at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, GSSD honored five incredible Cool Women honorees and our largest-ever class of 50 Emerging Leader Girl Scouts (grades 10-12). More than 550 event attendees celebrated Women’s History Month, connected with exceptional professionals from the region, and invested in the next generation of leaders.
Check out photos from the 2024 Cool Women Celebration.
The morning began with our Emerging Leaders participating in a one-of-a-kind mentoring session with the Cool Women honorees and 23 other highly accomplished professionals. Mentors represented diverse sectors like STEM, media, finance, law, nonprofits, business, arts, and education. They shared insights and advice on education, career paths, and what it takes to be a thoughtful leader.
“I was grateful to meet Suzie, one of the 2024 Cool Women honorees. As someone who hopes to go into marine science, it was really inspiring to hear directly from a woman in STEM about her journey,” shared Ashlyn E., a first-year Emerging Leader.
Learn more about the Emerging Leaders program.
During the luncheon and ceremony, Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego, along with event co-chairs Barbara Bry and Divya Kakaiya, and four Emerging Leader Girl Scout emcees recognized the finalists for this year’s class and the Cool Women of 2024—five remarkable women in entrepreneurship, arts, law, social impact, and STEM fields who break down barriers and pave the way for future generations:
- Suzie Alarcón, Co-Founder, AUGenomics; Director of the Next Generation Sequencing Core, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI)
- Kim Folsom, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Founders First Capital Partners
- Martha Gilmer, Chief Executive Officer, San Diego Symphony Orchestra
- Pamela Gray Payton, Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, San Diego Foundation
- Hon. Sherry Thompson-Taylor, Judge, San Diego Superior Court
Jennifer Jett, Vice President of Operations Support at SDG&E, Pearl Sponsor of the 2024 Cool Women Celebration, shared about the organization’s ongoing investment in Girl Scouts San Diego. She emphasized SDG&E’s value of championing people by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how that aligns with GSSD’s commitment to building the next generation of diverse leaders.
GSSD CEO Carol Dedrich honored our 2024 class of 50 Emerging Leader Girl Scouts—scholars, performers, athletes, artists, scientists, and leaders—who make their schools, community, and the world a better place. Emerging Leaders received a special pin to commemorate the experience. Carol reminded them, “Continue to believe in yourself, seek challenges, support others on your journey, and lean into opportunities with curiosity. And always remember that YOU can make a difference.”
Girl Scouts San Diego also premiered a video that highlighted one lifelong Girl Scout’s journey to success in a male-dominated field. Lifetime Member Megan Good shared her story, how each of her current successes ties back to the lessons she learned as a young Girl Scout. She underscored how our girl-led community is the foundation that allows Girl Scouts to try, to fail, to find their voices, and to courageously speak up for themselves in any environment or career field.
Watch Megan’s story on our YouTube Channel.
More than 30 Cool Women Alumnae gathered at the event to support the accomplishments of the 2024 Cool Women and Emerging Leader Girl Scouts. Through community support and by forging powerful connections between volunteers, staff, donors, executive mentors, partner organizations, and Girl Scouts of all ages, Girl Scouts San Diego is advancing female leadership in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Special thank you to our honorary committee, sponsors, and event co-chairs, Barbara Bry and Divya Kakaiya.
Sponsors that made the 2024 Cool Women Celebration possible include SDG&E, Mission Fed Credit Union, Qualcomm, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Julia R. Brown, and University of San Diego.
Event proceeds fund a variety of dynamic programs that empower Girl Scouts to develop a strong sense of self, step outside their comfort zones, use their voices, and build resilience. There’s still time to contribute! Donate today at sdgirlscouts.org/give.
