For a third consecutive year, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida will be hosting the Girl Scouts Lead the Way  luncheon where inspirational women of Broward County, FL will be honored and their success recognized. Each of the women embody the characteristics of a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader), are leaders in their industry and are role models for today’s girls.

These are not ordinary women. They are women who have shattered glass ceilings to rise to the top and grab success. They have overcome obstacles and challenges to pave the way for the next generation of girls behind them ready to follow their lead. They are involved with their community and give back in insurmountable ways. They embody the spirit of a Girl Scout.

This year the following honorees will be recognized for all that they do and have accomplished:

• 2019 Trailbazer Award: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises, has propelled Celebrity Cruises to unprecedented financial performance. Celebrity’s record-breaking financial results and brand-defining industry firsts have solidified Lisa’s reputation as a trailblazer in the complex and ever-changing maritime industry. She enthusiastically lends her leadership to a number of philanthropic, business, and women’s organizations as a board member and volunteer on the local, national and international levels. Under her leadership, Celebrity Cruises has partnered with a number of organizations to make a difference in the world in the areas of girl’s education (Malala Fund), sustainability and environment (World Wildlife Fund), STEM (Columbia University, FIU, University of Miami), service excellence (Forbes Travel Guide), and expanding the footprint of women in the maritime industry (Mandela Washington Fellows/IREX).
• Community Partner of the Year: Ellen Jaffe and WFEZ – Easy 93.1 have gone above and beyond to support Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and our important mission. They are always willing to provide an outlet to give our girls a voice to talk about the important work they are doing as Girl Scouts in our communities and they they are always there to lend a helping hand.
• 2019 Inspirational Women of Broward County:
  
  • Colonel Nichole Anderson is a 22-year veteran of Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). She has held many positions during her tenure and has worked her way from a road patrol deputy to her current position as the Bureau Executive Director for the Department of Community Services. Colonel Anderson has paved a path to success and ultimately into BSO history, as in 2011, she became the first African-American female District Chief. Along with this significant accomplishment, when she was promoted to Colonel in January 2019, she also became the first BSO female ever to achieve the rank of Colonel.
  • Golden Johansson is the Executive Director of Operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. and oversees over a dozen expansive tribal businesses. Golden has also been involved in the business community, local politics, and in several philanthropic organizations within Broward County. She also serves as a mentor at the Seminole & Hard Rock Women in Leadership program. Enjoying the promotion of growth and advancement of females in the workplace, her mission is to encourage and support the development and success of the new generation of young professional women. Having extensive knowledge in business and with managing a healthy work/life balance, she pays it forward by sharing these experiences and by cultivating relationships built on honesty, integrity and respect.
  • Christine Walker serves as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Holy Cross Hospital. Christine knows what it takes to be a Girl Scout as she served as the leader of Girl Scout troop for seven years. She has volunteered as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and is the proud mother of a teenage daughter and sponsor of an “adopted daughter” in Kenya. Christine has taken the lead by organizing efforts at Holy Cross and their satellite clinics and offices for “Take a Child to Work Day” ensuring that girls are exposed not only to their parent’s careers, but to the variety of jobs and professions available in the medical field. She is a role model in the manner in which she leads with her character and professionalism in carrying out various efforts in a diverse community.

The 2019 Girl Scouts Lead the Way luncheon is being held on Thursday, September 19 at the Signature Grand in Davie, FL from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Business networking opportunities will be available along with chance drawings and a multi-course lunch. The main feature of this incredible event will be a “Road to Success” panel discussion featuring the honorees and their inspirational stories of how they broke through and rose to the top.

If you would like to join us, tickets are just $75 each and can be purchased here. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Danielle Crouch at dcrouch@gssef.org.

This event of course would not be possible without the help of our generous sponsors. A very special thank you to Presenting Sponsor:  Publix Super Markets Charities; Major Sponsors: Celebrity Cruises, Joe DiMggio Children’s Hospital, Panera/Bread.Covelli Enterprises, Ultimate Software; and Supporting Sponsors: City Furniture, Greenspoon Marder, LLP, and Holy Cross Hospital, and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc.