After serving as a lifelong Girl Scout and board member, Judith Batty has gained a new honor. PRNewswire reports that Batty has been named the interim CEO of the Girl Scouts of the United States.

The previous CEO, Sylvia Acevedo, announced her resignation in early August. As a result, the GSUSA chose Batty to step up, a decision that makes her the first Black CEO in the organization’s 108-year history.

“When I was young, the Girl Scouts instilled in me the courage, confidence and character that have guided me through my life and career. It is an incredible honor to bring those lessons back full circle to help the Girl Scouts navigate this transition,” said Batty.

Batty began her commitment to the Girl Scouts as a Brownie and later served two terms on the National Board. Immediately prior to this new role, Batty served as senior legal counsel and an executive for a Fortune 100 corporation, where she became the first woman and first Black general counsel to one of the company’s overseas affiliates.

As Batty begins to perform her new responsibilities, she will meet with staff and council leadership to strategize the best way to move the organization’s mission forward.

“As families across the country contend with so much uncertainty and upheaval, I am committed to ensuring that the Girl Scouts continues to offer a shelter in the storm – a place where all our girls feel welcome, can find community, solidarity, leadership opportunities and fun, despite the challenging moment we are all collectively living through,” she said.

Batty will officially step into her new role after Acevedo’s last day on Aug. 15.

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