Page 13 - Jo Dee C Jacob Girl Scouts CEO

Today, Jo Dee Jacob
continues to return
the favor…motivat-
ing girls and young
women to become
tomorrow’s leaders.
“Girl Scouts involves
far more than cookies,
crafts and camping,”
she explains. “We’re
about leadership, ca-
reers and community
service.”

In addition to her CEO
duties, Jacob is presi-
dent of the 528-mem-
ber San Diego Rotary
Club and wife of 34
years to husband,
Glenn and she main-
tains a fitness regimen
that would break most
30 year-olds! How
does she do it all?
“I don’t ‘do it all,’”
Jacob confides.
“I was in charge of heads and beds, grass and trash, roads and “Sleep is very impor-
commodes,” she humbly quips, “not to mention housing perks tant. Glenn is the homemaker. And at work, I delegate authority.”
and fireworks, parking lots and cemetery plots.” As Girl Scouts’
CEO, Jacob says, she’s still in charge of properties — includ- The successful leader believes in empowering people to suc-
ing the 13-acre headquarters in Balboa Park, two camps in the ceed and celebrating their success. “I always surround myself
mountains, and satellite facilities in Carlsbad, Escondido and El with people smarter than I am,” she says.
Centro — personnel and those 13,000 adult volunteers…not to
mention the logistics of the iconic Girl Scout cookie drive. Girl Scouts is beginning its second century by launching “To-
GetHerThere,” a multiyear advocacy and fundraising cause cam-
“The only real difference?” says Jacob, “I issue Thin Mints, not paign to help break down societal barriers that hinder girls from San Diego
Tomahawk missiles.” leading and achieving success. Girl Scouts is asking all adult Woman
members of society — parents, corporations, governments, and
Self-deprecating and funny, Jacob is someone I liked from the nonprofits — to help girls reach their leadership potential and
moment I met her. With her high-energy, positive-attitude, can-do place this urgent issue front and center on the national agenda.
spirit, it’s hard not to be attracted to the human dynamo with a 13
broad smile, sparkling eyes and brilliant shock of short, blonde “We all have a role to play in helping girls achieve their full
hair. leadership potential,” says Jacob. “When girls succeed, so does
society.”
Actually, what first caught my eye was her hair: super-shiny….
literally glistening in the sunlight. I knew right away we were kin- Former Girl Scout Carol LeBeau served as Chair and Promise
dred spirits. That telltale sheen is found only on the hair of some- Leader of San Diego’s celebration of Girl Scouts’ 100th
one who spends time in chlorinated swimming pools. Indeed, anniversary.
Jacob revealed she works out regularly at the Naval Hospital
pool, often sharing a lane with wounded warriors. “They’re such
amazing athletes,” says Jacob.

Our shared passion for swimming paved the way for what’s be-
come a fun and enriching friendship. “Make New Friends” aren’t
just words sung around a campfire for Jacob. She never forgets
a friend. On vacation, Jo Dee mails postcards to 100 friends and
Girl Scout supporters.: In a digital age, she hand-writes more
than 20 personal “snail mail” notes and letters every week. She
says she mourns the dying art of thank you notes and phone
etiquette.

At age five, the self-described “born leader” honed her skills
miming the preacher at church…then became a woman in lead-
ership before it was fashionable. Although she had few female
role models, she persevered in a world of men.

“For every dinosaur out there, there were five egalitarian men
who helped me succeed.” Photo Courtesy of Melissa Jacobs.