Thursday, September 19, 2024
Mosaic Venue – Minneapolis
A Letter from the CEO
Welcome to Celebrate Changemakers!
On behalf of Girl Scouts River Valleys, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you—our sponsors, partners, donors, and community members. It is your belief in the power of Girl Scouts that allows us to continue growing and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Today, we’re not just celebrating past achievements; we’re launching a bold new vision. For over a century, Girl Scouts has inspired youth to develop the courage, confidence, character, and curiosity to lead. Now, we’re stepping up our commitment to prepare the next generation of changemakers—those who will shape the future of our communities, workplaces, and world.
Together, it is our immense privilege to help these young leaders believe in their power and to invest in their future and potential to make our world a better place.
Thank you for being part of this Movement. Your support fuels our mission and makes this critical work possible. I look forward to everything we will accomplish together.
With gratitude,
Marisa C. Williams CEO, Girl Scouts River Valleys
Program
Welcome – Marnie Overman, Board Chair and 2nd Vice President for Securian
Breakfast Served
Introduction – Alexis Rogers, Emcee
Opening Remarks – Marisa C. Williams, CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys
Honoring our 2024 Changemaker Honorees –
• Courage – Erika Binger, Founder of V3 Sports and Ilona Delaney, Girl Scout Ambassador
• Confidence – Damaris Hollingsworth, Owner and Principal Architect of Design by Melo LLC, and Anastacia Yang, Girl Scout Ambassador
• Character – Lili Hall, President and CEO of Knock INC., and Havyn Moonen, Girl Scout Ambassador
• Curiosity – Ravyn Miller, VP of Portfolio Strategy & Business Development for Medtronic, and Sumeya Mire, Girl Scout Ambassador
Fund-A-Need – Dan Ballard, Board Member and Branch President for Clear Channel Outdoor
Fireside Chat – Brandon Jones, Consultant and Executive Director for MACMH, and Keisha Houston, First Vice Chair and Chief of Staff for Medtronic
Closing – Alexis Rogers and Marisa C. Williams
A special thank you to our non-profit partner, Bluebirds & Blooms. All florals at this event will be repurposed by the organization to provide floral arrangements for those living with memory loss or long-term illness. Please do not take the floral arrangements so we can pass on the inspiration of Girl Scouts to our community members.
A special thank you to long-time supporter Kraus-Anderson for their in-kind contribution of parking space for this event.
Keynote Speakers
Marisa C. Williams
CEO
Girl Scouts River Valleys
Marisa Williams is a bold disruptor dedicated to creating opportunities for folks on the margins, particularly women and children. Marisa leads by keeping people at the heart of everything she does. She is a dedicated youth advocate who has received many accolades, including being honored as a Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania. Noting the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector, Marisa is proud to lead with grit and integrity to support the health and wellness, education, entrepreneurship, life skills, and self-love of girls across River Valleys.
Alexis Rogers
Noon anchor and Community Relations Manager
KARE 11
Alexis is a Girl Scout alum, Gold Award recipient, an Edward R. Murrow and multi-Emmy award-winning storyteller. She comes to the Twin Cities from Indianapolis where she was an Evening Anchor and co-host of a hybrid news and lifestyle show called All Indiana at WISH-TV. She began her broadcasting career as an anchor and reporter at KOMU, in Columbia, Missouri.
Fireside Panelists
Brandon Jones Consultant
and Executive
Director MACMH
Serving as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health, Brandon brings a wealth of expertise in consulting and therapy. His focus areas encompass
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Historical and Intergenerational trauma, Social/Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Leadership, and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). His life ethos is encapsulated in the motto: “Live life with Purpose on Purpose”.
Keisha Houston Chief of Staff, Medtronic First Vice Chair, GSRV
Keisha Houston is the Chief of Staff for the Peripheral Vascular Health operating unit within the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic. She also serves on the leadership team for the African Descent
Network (ADN) at Medtronic. ADN is an international employee resource group that focuses on recruitment, engagement, retention, and development for employees of African descent.
Adult Changemaker Honorees
COURAGE
Erika Binger
Founder and Coach
V3 Sports
Erika Binger is a former world triathlete and aquathlete champion. In her career, she has combined her focus on athletics and health with an unwavering commitment to equality and access to opportunities for all.
CONFIDENCE
Damaris Hollingsworth
Owner and Principal Architect
Design by Melo LLC.
Damaris Hollingsworth is a trailblazing architect based in the Twin Cities. She focuses on creating inclusive and welcoming spaces, informed by her own experiences of entering unfamiliar environments.
CHARACTER
Lili Hall
Preisdent & CEO
KNOCK Inc.
Lili Hall is the founder, CEO, and President of KNOCK, inc., a women- and minority-owned creative agency based in Minneapolis that leads strategic brand development on national and global scales.
CURIOSITY
Ravyn Miller
VP Portfolio Strategy & Business Development
Medtronic
Ravyn Miller is a pioneering leader in the med tech industry, blending her dual graduate degrees in business and divinity to champion ethical leadership and inclusivity reflected in her efforts to reduce healthcare disparities.
Girl Scout Changemaker Honorees
COURAGE
Ilona Delaney
Girl Scout Ambassador Troop 60159
High school junior Ilona joined Girl Scouts in elementary school and has since earned her Bronze and Silver awards. Ilona is a member of the Red Lake Nation and a dedicated community volunteer.
CONFIDENCE
Anastacia Yang
Girl Scout Ambassador ConnectZ Troop 60098
High school senior Anastacia joined Girl Scouts as one of the founding members of a ConnectZ troop her freshman year. She has since become a true leader in her troop, eager to give the incoming freshmen a positive experience.
CHARACTER
Havyn Moonen
Girl Scout Ambassador Troop 25516
High-school senior Havyn started Girl Scouts at just 5 years old and has gone on to earn both her Bronze and Silver awards and participate in many Girl Scout programs. She’s always been dedicated to serving others.
CURIOSITY
Sumeya Mire
Girl Scout Ambassador ConnectZ Troop 60159
High school senior Sumeya joined the Girl Scouts ConnectZ program in sixth grade and has since become a leader within her troop and her school. She credits her parents with inspiring her strong sense of curiosity.
Thank You to Our Table Hosts
Christine Battist
Coco Du
Honeywell
Hmong American Partnership
Kaozouapa Elizabeth Lee
Anne Mahle
Medtronic
Ravyn Miller
Mark Narayan
Norma A. Porter
A special thank you to our Program Year Partner: A special thank you to
Thanks to their generous support, all youth changemakers were offered the opportunity to attend the Honeywell Leadership Academy in Alabama this fall at the US Space and Rocket Center.
Help Ignite Power in All Girl Scouts!
All kids have the power to change their world, they need only a spark of courage, confidence, character, and curiosity to ignite it.
Our girls are developing critical skills that make them the changemakers your company and community need. By supporting us, you are contributing to a future where empowered women lead with confidence, creativity, and a commitment to equity.
Your Gift Matters.
Donations keep Girl Scouts River Valleys strong so that all girls can have the chance to participate. No matter how you choose to give, your gift will have a lasting impact on our community.
Make a gift today at gsrv.gs/donate.
Thank You to Our Vendors
Jennifer Shapiro (Florals) Path of The Bear
Daniel Issac
MKuria Music
Budget Bleacher Rentals
The Girl Scout Mission
