TUCSON, Ariz. (May 29, 2020) – Kristen Garcia-Hernandez has been named by the board of directors as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. The Council’s first Latina CEO, Garcia-Hernandez has served the organization for 12 years in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as interim CEO.
“As board chair, I am excited to enter the next chapter for Girl Scouts of Southern AZ with Kristen in the leadership role as CEO,” said Susan Armstrong, Board Chair and a partner with BeachFleischman PC. “Her experience with the organization along with her vision and passion for the movement will expand the Girl Scout leadership experience for girls.”
A native Tucsonan, Garcia-Hernandez is a proud graduate of Desert View High School and The University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. She’s been recognized as one of Arizona’s 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 by Valle del Sol, as an Up and Comer by Inside Tucson Business’s Up and Comers and is a recipient of the Education Award – Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things – from Eller College of Management and Undergraduate Professional Women in Business Association.
Before joining the Girl Scouts, Garcia-Hernandez’s corporate career experience led her to managing multimillion- dollar revenue streams. Twelve years ago, an opportunity arose with the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona offering her the opportunity to combine her love of sales and marketing with her passion for empowering girls and women as entrepreneurs. In her previous roles with Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Kristen led the Cookie Program, Retail Stores, Operations, Membership, and grew revenue for the organization by $1.2 million.
“I am thrilled to continue my tenure with Girl Scouts in this new role and will be focused on creating innovative solutions and building a sustainable future for the girls of Southern Arizona, she said. Through this work, I want every girl to know their potential is limitless, as they become strong women who live life on their own terms.”
Garcia-Hernandez is active volunteering with community organizations, schools and her church. She and her husband, Joseph, have two beautiful children, including a future Girl Scout-to-be.
