Two Pacific Beach Girl Scouts have been named Emerging Leaders by Girl Scouts San Diego.
The council selected 53 in 10th through 12th grade for its Emerging Leaders program to help them develop leadership skills as they commit to making a positive impact in the world, according to council officials.
As part of the 2025 program, Girl Scouts built skills in networking, business etiquette, public speaking and personal brand basics through workshops. They also met with female leaders during a mentoring session and were recognized at the council’s Cool Women Celebration on March 14. Some were selected to introduce the five 2025 Cool Women and speak on stage during the event.
The Cool Women were Julie Dubick, chief of staff and strategic partners adviser at The Conrad Prebys Foundation; Dr. Tina M King, president of the San Diego College of Continuing Education; Luisa McCarthy, co-owner of La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary; Debbie Rider, assistant dean of development and alumni relations at the University of San Diego School of Law; and Nancy Sasaki, president and CEO of the United Way of San Diego County.
“The Cool Women Celebration is a celebration of leadership and community,” said event co-chairs Natasha Bowman and Joyce Gattas. “This event is about inspiring future change-makers and creating a lasting impact in San Diego.
“It’s a moment to honor the trailblazing women among us, while also investing in the future by inspiring young women to lead with purpose and ion,” they said.
• Ambassador Girl Scout Fiona O’Neill has been a Girl Scout since third grade. She is a junior at Mission Bay High School and member of Troop 4249.
“To me, being named an Emerging Leader is being confident in myself and others and encouraging others to become leaders themselves,” O’Neill said.
“This was my first year being an Emerging Leader and I learned so much from this experience,” O’Neill said. “I was able to learn how to be a successful leader to my peers and connect with so many successful women. I learned about different career paths and how to make professional connections.”
• Ambassador Girl Scout Vivi Yun has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. She is a junior at Francis Parker School and member of Troop 4349.
“To me, being named a Girl Scout Emerging Leader means becoming a part of a rich and ive community,” Yun said. “Girl Scouts is already a sisterhood, but the Emerging Leader program is uplifting like no other. You get pulled into this world, surrounded by … other incredibly accomplished young women, celebrated for your achievements and connected to a network of mentors.
“In other words it feels empowering,” Yun said. “This is especially true since I was lucky enough to be selected for a public speaking role. This meant I got to meet and interview one of this year’s five Cool Women honorees, Nancy Sasaki. Her story of perseverance and adaptability is one I will be hard pressed to ever forget.”
This is Yun’s second year as an Emerging Leader.
“Through the Emerging Leaders program I have definitely gained a newfound sense of confidence in myself and my abilities,” Yun said. “Last year as a sophomore the whole ‘Cool Women’ event was a bit intimidating at first. It included a lot of networking sessions, talking with strangers and face-to-face interaction. By nature I’m an introvert so it was a little out of my comfort zone.
“However, the whole purpose of the program — as well as my fellow Girl Scouts — encouraged me to step outside of my little bubble and once I truly put myself out there I was met with unending enthusiasm and warmth.”
