VINIMA SHEKHAR

VP, WELLNESS MERCHANDISING, WALMART US

What lessons from your Girl Scout days do you incorporate as a woman leader today?

Courage, perseverance and inclusiveness are just a few. Life is filled with many ups and downs, and being a Girl Scout has helped me embrace the turns with courage. I learned to not shy away from difficulties and how to keep going even when the going gets tough. I also learned early on the power of teamwork that is powered by the diversity of thought and experiences that everyone brings, which is something that I value tremendously.

In what specific ways does participation in Girl Scouts foster and develop leadership traits?

There are so many leadership lessons embedded in Girl Scout programs and activities including collaboration, responsibility, independence, communication and integrity. As a Girl Scout, we were asked to articulate reasons behind our decisions and take responsibility for our decisions, an important trait for both personal and professional life.

What is your favorite memory as a Girl Scout?

Two favorite memories — selling cookies and the cooking competition! I loved the entrepreneurial spirit of building my own business and promoting it, which led me to start my own business later in life. And I can never forget our cooking competition, where different troops had a “cook-off” for the best tasting dish. I am still inspired by the creativity of our team that day, the fun we had and the quick pivots we made as a team to tackle a few burnt ingredients … While not for the best taste, we did claim a prize for perseverance!

Vinima’s Favorite Cookie: Samoas!