Girl Scouts raise $271K for future female leaders

Six local women were honored last week at a fundraiser that netted more than $271,000 for Girl Scouts of Orange County, according to a news release.

At the fourth annual Celebrate Leadership event, which took place Friday at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, the six women were paired with current scouts, “linking these leaders of tomorrow with leaders of today,” a news release said.

The money will support leadership development programs for Orange County’s more than 22,000 Girl Scouts, as well as programs to help girls explore careers in science, technology and math.

“We are proud to recognize these exceptional women,” Nancy Nygren, chief executive of Girl Scouts of Orange County, said in a statement. “They are each leaders in their respective fields and truly serve as role models for tomorrow’s female leaders.”

Among the women honored were Shannon Eusey of Newport Beach, who is the co-founder and president of Beacon Pointe Advisors; Donna Giordano of Huntington Beach, who is the president of Ralphs Grocery Co.; and Joan Patronite Kelly of Huntington Beach, who is a co-founder of BonTerra Consulting.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @JillCowan