Leaders of Distinction Luncheon
For over 110 years, Girl Scouts has empowered young people to chase their dreams, explore the world, and take action to improve their communities. We’re inspiring the change-makers who will make the world a better place now, and in the years to come.
Just like our Girl Scout youth, our community is filled with purpose-driven leaders dedicated to advocating for a brighter tomorrow. At our annual luncheon, we come together to honor these individuals through our Leaders of Distinction program.
Proceeds from this event support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, ensuring that girls and gender-expansive youth who identify with the girl experience in our community develop essential life skills and the confidence to take on any challenge.
If you were unable to join us for the 2023 Leaders of Distinction Luncheon or attended and would like to make an additional contribution to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, you can still support this year's fundraiser with an online donation.
Stay tuned for more details about our 2024 Leaders of Distinction Luncheon. In the meantime, check out the inspiring video from this year's event and learn about the recipients of the 2023 Leaders of Distinction Awards below.
Your support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience uplifts the next generation of change-makers and the limitless potential of all girls and gender-expansive youth who identify with the girl experience.
Bookda Gheisar
Bookda Gheisar is deeply passionate about applying a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to organizational systems and relationships. She also has been an advocate for systemic change that is grounded in principles of racial equity and social justice. With a proven track record of working with communities most impacted by racial and economic inequities, Bookda brings more than 30 years of experience building efforts to engage highly diverse stakeholders and voices.
Before coming to the Port of Seattle, Bookda served as a Policy Advisor for King County’s Office of Equity and Social Justice and as an Executive Director in the field of philanthropy, each committed to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Bookda provides leadership and strategic direction for the Port of Seattle's equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, both internal and external. She partners with lines of business to ensure that externally facing equity goals and objectives are incorporated into business plans. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she oversees the infusion of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Port of Seattle's culture, strategies, and goals.
Taryn Delanie Smith
We're thrilled to welcome Taryn Delanie Smith to our stage as keynote speaker, a role model of Girl Scout values, and the recipient of the 2023 Rising Star Award!
You might recognize Taryn as Denise, a receptionist in Heaven, from her TikTok sketches that launched in March 2023 and have since gone viral. Or as Miss New York 2022, where she used her platform to advocate for compassionate legislation supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Most importantly, Taryn is someone who always shows up unapologetically as her authentic self. In her words, “Society seeks to condition girls to believe being pretty is a priority, it’s not. Be smart, be strong, be kind. Be you.”
Force 10 Hoops: Dawn Trudeau, Lisa Brummel, and Ginny Gilder
Force 10 Hoops, the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, exemplifies leadership and advocacy for positive social change in Western Washington. They have supported women's leadership in sports, advocated for equal pay, engaged with the community through "Storm Cares," empowered local youth through education and mentorship, and actively promoted racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and civic engagement. Their dedication to equity and inclusivity has made a lasting impact, setting a powerful example for others in the pursuit of a more equitable society.
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