Girl Scouts of Northern California today announced Bri Seoane as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Seoane, a lifelong Girl Scout, Lifetime Member, and mother of a current Girl Scout, will assume the role on December 1. She will succeed long standing CEO, Marina Park, who is retiring and leaves a lasting legacy after 15 years of service to Girl Scouts of Northern California. Ms. Seoane joins Girl Scouts after two decades as a nonprofit leader in the health and human services sector, where she created innovative programs and partnerships to increase access to lifesaving sanitation services, education, and pediatric medical care in low-income communities. Named “fundraiser of the year” in 2021 by NonProfitPro, Seoane played a key role in the strategic growth and partnerships as the former Chief Mission Officer at Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area. Over her twelve-year tenure, she helped RMHC Bay Area grow from a staff of eleven and a single forty-seven-room house in Palo Alto to a regional hub with three Houses and over 50 staff members that serves 100,000 meals to families in medical crisis each year. She started her career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador and was tapped for various leadership positions over the next eight years, including the national role as Associate Peace Corps Director.
As a former Silver Award Girl Scout and mother of a current Brownie, Ms. Seoane has a deep connection to the council, its camps, and programming. Ms. Seoane grew up camping at Camps Bothin, Skylark Ranch and Sugar Pine, and her mother was a Girl Scout and active volunteer in the council, serving as her troop leader and a service unit director. This led Seoane to start and co-lead a troop in college and start a girls soccer team in El Salvador, where she infused much of the programming and skills she learned in Girl Scouts.
“Girl Scouts gave me the skills, tools, and confidence to live a meaningful life and is what led me to a career in service. I’m honored and proud to become the CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California and provide this life-changing experience to more youth.” said Bri Seoane.
“We are thrilled to have Bri join as our next CEO to bring her vast experience creating innovative programming and strategic partnerships to reach more girls and gender-expansive youth in our communities,” said Sandy Shirai, Girl Scouts of Northern California Board Chair. “Her long standing personal connection to the council and camps gives her the ability to understand the importance of traditions we cherish in Girl Scouts and how we meet the needs of current and potential members.”
After fifteen years leading the Girl Scouts of Northern California and championing girl ambition, Marina Park announced last March her plans to retire this December. Under Park’s leadership as GSNorCal’s first CEO, she has served on numerous national committees, and Girl Scouts of Northern California has led innovative programming in Girl Scouts, including in STEM, outdoors, and antiracism work. In 2015 the SF Business Times honored Marina as the Most Admired Nonprofit CEO.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with talented colleagues, volunteers, and supporters, to build tomorrow’s leaders, deliver life-changing programs, and improve our council’s long-term financial health. Now, I am delighted to welcome Bri as our next CEO. She is a strong leader, role model, and champion for girls, ready to think big and, in the wise words of our Girl Scout leadership model: discover, connect, and take action.” said Park.
Bri Seoane will join the organization on November 10 as incoming CEO and work with Marina Park to ensure a seamless transition when Seoane officially becomes CEO on December 1.
Girl Scouts of Northern California volunteers, community partners, and staff support over 25,000 girls and gender-expansive youth in nineteen Northern California counties that stretch from Gilroy to the Oregon border. Through diverse programs, supportive troops, and amazing camps, GSNorCal provides safe and brave spaces where every Girl Scout can feel welcome as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit www.gsnorcal.org.