GSSEM Honors 2024 Tough Enough Award Recipients
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, we celebrated women leaders in non-traditional spaces.
October 03, 2024
Held amid the splendor of the formal Detroit Athletic Club on September 26, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan's annual Tough Enough Breakfast (TEB) honored three women leading the way into non-traditional spaces. Through trailblazing careers and service to the community, these women demonstrate that they are tough enough to be Girl Scouts every day.
2024 Tough Enough Honorees:
- Sati Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Diversified Members Credit Union (DMCU)
- Dr. Philomena Mantella, President of Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
- Natalie King, CEO of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC.
After a delicious breakfast, a lively and inspiring panel discussion developed between the honorees and moderator Monica Woodson, CEO of GSSEM. The discussion centered on highlighting women who lead in non-traditional leadership roles, what it takes to get there, and how to handle the challenges and responsibilities of the position.
"GSSEM is committed to being an integral part of making women leaders in non-traditional spaces the norm, not the exception," Woodson said. "Acknowledging the efforts and dedication of these women is one more way to encourage the girls we serve."
Even though women make up more than half of the U.S. population:
- In 2023, women held only 8.2% of CEO positions at S&P companies.
- In 2024, just 10.4% of women CEOs led Fortune 500 companies.
"As the first women, and persons of color, to lead their organizations, and create new avenues of technology advancements, Mantella, Smith, and King are shattering glass ceilings in spaces not traditionally designated for women," said Woodson.
GSSEM is proud to celebrate these amazing women while raising awareness and support for Girl Scouts who are on their way to taking their places in non-traditional spaces.
This year's honorees were given a Pewabic Pottery acorn tile, symbolizing the growth and strength it takes to be "tough enough to be a Girl Scout."
