After 18 months of serving as Girl Scouts of the USA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Judith Batty has stepped down and welcomed Sofia Chang as the organization’s new CEO.
Stepping into the CEO role in August 2020, during a time when the Girl Scout Movement was facing monumental challenges, Judith rose to the occasion and her legacy will leave a lasting impact on the future of Girl Scouting.
Under Judith’s leadership, GSUSA:
- Launched the GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship Program and the national Gold Award celebration – Girl Scouts Change the World, the Mental Wellness Initiative supporting our girls and adult volunteers, and the first nationally supported Rocketry teams in collaboration with Aerojet Rocketdyne.
- Formed the National Girl Advisory Board, made up of twenty-one Girl Scouts in grades 8–12 from across the country and overseas.
- Established national partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Women in Engineering Proactive Network, and the Society of Women Engineers.
- Advanced its DEI/RJ work, securing funding and hiring additional staff and consultants to lead the critical work of fostering a more welcoming community and ensuring that Girl Scouts is available to every girl.
- Hosted the Becoming Me event with Michelle Obama with incredibly high engagement.
- Raised more than $20 million in contributions
- Pivoted the Girl Scout Cookie Program for digital growth to facilitate sales during COVID, including a new partnership with DoorDash, and launched Adventurefuls, the first cookie available nationally since Thin Mints.
A lifelong Girl Scout, Judith began her Girl Scout career as a Brownie and as a member of the Nassau County Council in New York, and served two terms on the National Board, serving both as a member of the Executive Committee and as International Commissioner.
“As I pass the baton to GSUSA’s new CEO, Sofia Chang—an accomplished business executive, a strong advocate for women and diverse voices, and a champion for girls and the Girl Scout mission—I am confident that the future of our Movement is in strong and capable hands,” said Judith.
Sofia assumed the CEO role effective January 28, 2022. She joins Girl Scouts after three decades of experience in the private sector. During her 20-year tenure at HBO/Warner Media, Sofia led the successful transformation of several businesses, developed high-performing teams, and advocated for women and diversity.
Her leadership and business achievements were built on her strategic vision, her authenticity, and her inclusiveness. She brings her legacy of leadership and advocacy to propel Girl Scouts into its next chapter by working to reach more girls who can create an outsized impact in their communities and around the world.