Girl Scout group names new chief

Elia Powers

The Girl Scout Council of Orange County, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit

that oversees scout operations countywide, has named Nancy Nygren its

chief executive officer.

Nygren, 50, a veteran of nonprofit management, is charged with

managing the day-to-day operations of the council and its 75 staff

members.

She replaces Jeanie Burns, who retired in October.

“I have a passion for being involved in mission-driven nonprofit

organizations,” Nygren said. “I greatly value the Girl Scout

experience and wanted to play a role in the long-term development of

girls into successful women.”

She said increasing membership and expanding the volunteer base

are two of her first priorities.

Nygren also said diversity in Girl Scout troops is a hot-button

issue. She said she is planning to increase outreach to

underrepresented areas and intends to hire more bilingual employees.

“We need to be positioned to serve everyone,” she said. “Not all

of the different cultures have had the Girl Scout experience.”

Suzanne Huffmon Esber, who chairs the 23-person volunteer board of

directors, said she is confident Nygren is the right person for the

job.

“Nancy has proven strong leadership skills in the nonprofit

arena,” she said. “She has the ability to handle a complex

organization like ours.”

Nygren previously served as chief executive of the Naval Training

Center Foundation in San Diego. She helped plan for the redevelopment

of 28 acres of the former military training center.

Before that, Nygren served as founding executive director and

executive vice president of Ocean Journey, an aquarium facility in

Denver. She was the mastermind behind a $93-million complex that

brought in 1 million visitors in fewer than eight months.

Nygren said her previous CEO experience has prepared her for the

position.

“The most notable difference is the magnitude of the role of the

volunteers,” Nygren said. “Here, they are an essential part of the

workings.”

Nygren, born in Florida, holds degrees in mathematics and computer

science and has worked in the aerospace field. She joined the council

May 1.