ST PAUL, MN (February 3, 2022) – Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys announce the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Tish Bolger in December 2022, starting a leadership transition process over the next several months.
“The local and national youth nonprofit field has benefitted from Tish’s expertise and collegial generosity. She is an elegant leader. The Girl Scouts staff, board, and our many partners feel privileged to have worked with Tish and are enormously grateful for her many contributions. She has positioned the council well for the future.” says Jane Canney, Girl Scouts River Valleys’ incoming Board Chair.
Under Bolger’s leadership, the organization invested in technology, advocacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and DEIA/RJ (diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and racial justice) training and programming. Council revenues, cookie sales, contributions, and net assets grew by 30%. Bolger leaves the organization in excellent financial standing with assets the board and staff can continue to use to grow its many transformational programs for girls.
“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve Girl Scouts River Valleys. I am proud of the organization we are today, and the impact we’ve had, working with thousands of girls and their volunteer leaders. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of amazing girls and dedicated volunteers, have watched girls become leaders, and have witnessed their power to make the world a better place. Girl Scouts River Valleys in 2022 represents the collective efforts of a deeply committed board of directors, talented staff, and dedicated volunteer partners and stakeholders who have inspired us to be bold for girls! I could not be more excited about what’s next for this remarkable organization,” says Bolger.
Former Board Chair and Director Gayle Hayhurst is leading the Executive Search Committee, which will conduct the search process. Hayhurst, Senior Vice President and CHRO at Schwan’s Home Delivery, says, “The Board’s primary goal is to ensure a smooth transition by hiring the best CEO to lead Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys into the future.”
Bolger wants to remind people, “The Girl Scout Cookie Program, the largest girl-run business in the world, will start on Saturday, February 19. Girl Scouts are deep into the entrepreneurial world, learning business and financial skills and earning money to fund their goals. When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you’re doing your part to help Girl Scouts make your community a better place as they prepare for a more successful future. How can you not love this work!”
Bolger has been with the Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Girl Scout council since 2007 when it was formed from the merger of Girl Scout councils in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Cannon Falls, and Redwood Falls. Bolger started as the Chief Operating Officer and assumed the role of CEO in 2015.
About Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ work is supported by 7,000 volunteers who deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to 19,000 girls in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and one county in Iowa. Girl Scouts River Valleys is one of 111 Girl Scout councils that make up the national Girl Scout Movement, sharing the mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. For more information, visit GirlScoutsRV.org.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit Girl Scouts River Valleys at girlscoutsrv.org.
