Connie L. Lindsey is the National President of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).

Kristi K. Hoffman: How did you get involved with Girl Scouts and what kept you engaged all of these years in GS?

Connie Lindsey: I became a Girl Scout as a young girl in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Girl Scouts provided a place where acceptance was the norm and opportunities for personal growth were plentiful. The values Girl Scouts embraced matched my own and reinforced my desire to learn about others and the world. Examples of leadership and community service were a part of my Girl Scout experiences.

Right now, Girl Scouts are building medical clinics in India; feeding and clothing families throughout the world and helping other girls prepare for careers in fields such as science, engineering, and mathematics. Girl Scouts see the changes that the world needs—and we make them. That is one of the many reasons I have been a Girl Scout, and I am a lifetime member.

KKH: What leadership roles in your life have impacted you the most and why (what did you learn the most from them)?

CL: Each leadership role has provided unique learning experiences and prepared me for the next opportunity. Leadership roles with people and P&L responsibility had the greatest impact these roles require wisdom, intellectual rigor, self awareness and technical competence.

KKH: How do you balance your life in terms of time commitments?

CL: I refer to it as work-life integration. I am very disciplined about setting priorities and maintaining a big picture approach as to what is important and ensuring that my INTENTIONS are aligned with my ATTENTION! I invest my time in activities that comport with my personal values and my professional objectives. I am blessed to be able to serve an organization with a mission that I love and to work at a company that supports my engagement in the community. Stephen Covey said it best: “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage-pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically to say no to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger “YES” burning inside.”

KKH: What life-long advice would you give to young women who are just launching their careers?

CL:

1. Define success for yourself.
2. Live a life of authenticity. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”
3. Ask questions. Astrophysicist Bernard Haisch said, “Advances are made by answering questions, discoveries are made by questioning answers.”
4. Practice healthy living.
5. Develop and nurture healthy life-long relationships.
6. Discover your purpose, pursue it with passion.
7. Practice life-long learning.
8. Travel the world. Celebrate diversity.
9. Love and honor yourself.
10. Ensure that your conduct, your character and your conversation reflect who you really are.
11. Net worth is not the same as self worth.
12. Laugh often, breathe deeply, take time to play.
13. Lift as you climb.

KKH: Tell us about your family.

CL: I come from a family of six children (four girls, two boys). My father is deceased; my 85 year old mother is still living-she is my “she-ro.” I visit her often and still find strength and courage when I am in her presence. My husband, John Blackburn is a CPA.

A few “favorites” questions:

KKH: Favorite spiritual mentor:

CL: I am a christian and my faith forms the foundation of my values and informs the way I live my life.

KKH: Favorite exercise:

CL: Walking.

KKH: Favorite book:

CL: There are too many wonderful books to have one favorite.

KKH: Favorite quote:

CL: Once again, there are so many wonderful quotes, thoughts and words of wisdom that I cannot pick just one! There is an African Proverb that I find compelling: “If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.”

KKH: Favorite positive habits for life:

CL: Self awareness.

About Connie Lindsey

Ms. Lindsey joined the Girl Scouts board in 2005, was elected National Board President in 2008 for a three year term, and was re-elected to the role at the 2011 convention. In this role she has provided guidance in three vital areas: policy, fundraising and leadership.

Connie is an integral part of the Girl Scout transformation, committed to building and sustaining membership growth and ensuring girls receive a primer leadership development experience. She is a Delegate for Vision 2020, a national project focused on advancing gender equality by energizing the dialogue about women and leadership.

Ms. Lindsey is the Executive Vice President of Northern Trust and a founding member of the Advisory Board of the Center for Green Schools. She is a member of Economic Club of Chicago, Board member of the Executives’ Club of Chicago, and the Board of Governors of the Metropolitan Club of Chicago.

• View Connie’s full bio: www.girlscouts.org

The following article by Kristi K. Hoffman, was featured on A Better Me Magazine’s website.

If I see something I absolutely love and tell my young sons about it, they’ll frequently quip, “If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it?”  We laugh because it’s always something that makes no sense to marry, like Jimmy Choo shoes, a fabulous car, or a gorgeous painting. But they recognize how much I adore that item.

While that’s certainly not true love, have you ever experienced a love for something or someone that is so deep that you would go out on a limb to protect it, talk about it, share it?  Ever experienced so much amazement about something that you beam from ear to ear every time you think about it?  Perhaps it’s when you gave birth to your baby, got your first pet, bought a new car, found the perfect house, or met a new significant other.

At such times, you likely are experiencing extreme or euphoric feelings which can be staggering.  Biochemistry tells us that at these times –such as when you exercise at peak performance or have great sex — chemicals including dopamine, oxytocin, or serotonin are released and contribute to feelings of contentment, optimism, romance, or true love.  Which explains why we go back to love even after a broken heart. We are hooked on the good feeling.

Read the full article, including the five steps on A Better Me Magazine’s website.

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• The “New You” Pledge
• Event Questionnaire
• Corporate & Individual Consulting
• Kristi K. Hoffman Bio

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>> Success Consulting

Schedule Kristi today for Success Consulting or for Corporate Speaking Engagements in either a small group session or larger business symposium. She also is available for Panel Moderation and Forum Speaking regarding business topics correlating with individual success and development within an organization.

Additionally her Total Package Professional^TM topics focus on effectiveness and outcomes in the workplace, ultimately allowing the business professional to become more effective and successful. These topics include:

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• Possessing Accountability for Your Performance
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• Turning Your Success Blockers into Success Makers
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In addition to Corporate Success Consulting, Kristi is also available for Individual Success Consulting sessions. Using the lifestyle techniques from her upcoming books, Kristi offers Success Consulting sessions that focus on developing the tools and techniques to step out of a rut and into success in business and in life.

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• Stepping up to Your Next Level of Success and Performance, Setting Life Goals and a Life Plan to Achieve Them
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“Extreme Trust” is the newest book by Don Peppers and Martha Rogers PhD. Below is the publisher’s book description:

If you accidentally try to order the same song twice from iTunes, you’ll be warned that you already own it. Not because it would be illegal or unethical for Apple to profit from your forgetfulness. There’s a clear busi­ness reason: the leaders of iTunes realize there’s no better way to make you trust them than to be totally honest when you least expect it.

In the age of the Web, smartphones, and social networks, every action an organization takes can be exposed and critiqued in real time. Nothing is local or secret anymore. If you treat one customer unfairly, produce one shoddy product, or try to gouge one price, the whole world may find out in hours, if not minutes. The users of Twitter, Yelp, Epinions, and similar outlets show little mercy for bad behavior. The bar for trust­worthiness is higher than ever and continuing to rise.

Don Peppers and Martha Rogers argue that the only sane response to these rising levels of transpar­ency is to protect the interests of customers proac­tively, before they have a chance to spread negative buzz—even if that requires spending extra money in the short run to preserve your reputation and cus­tomer relationships in the long run. The payoff of gen­erating extreme trust will be worth it.

• Visit the Extreme Trust website: www.extremetrustbook.com
• Order the book today at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or 800ceoread.

Kristi K. Hoffman: Tell us about your education and career background.

Jennifer Fouché: I went to Michigan State University for undergrad and studied journalism. I actually wanted a career in the music industry and in my last year of school, I got a record deal, toured Europe and opened for some pretty amazing artists. Acting sort of found me at the time when I decided to leave the music business, so I came to NY to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and I’ve been blessed to be working ever since.

KKH: Have you ever had to overcome adversity and if so, how?

JF: About 3 years ago, there was a fire in our apartment building and I lost everything, including my cat. It has been the most difficult, heartbreaking and agonizing experience of my life and after surviving the music business, that’s really saying something! I’m incredibly fortunate to have a strong and loving husband and an amazing support system of family and friends; some people never recover or even survive after that kind of tragedy but thanks to the people in my life and lots of prayer and perspective, I’m still here and I’m okay.

KKH: Who is your role model?

JF: My mother, without question! She is the strongest person I’ve ever known and she doesn’t believe in putting limits or parameters on yourself or your dreams. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without her.

KKH: What is Broadway life like?

JF: Well, I’m hoping to find out soon! SISTAS has been and remains the most fascinating and wonderful journey, creatively and personally and we’re extremely proud to be part of such a successful Off Broadway show. The one word I would use to describe the Broadway and Off Broadway community is SMALL!….everybody pretty much knows everybody else!

KKH: What is your best advice for balancing your body, brain and spirit?

JF: It really is important to get enough sleep, whatever “enough” means for you. I also think it is vital to make time to recharge your personal energy source, whether it be through prayer or meditation or just being around the folks who make you feel good….and I absolutely think everyone should get a massage!

KKH: Favorite career moment? What’s next in your career?

JF: Last summer I played the role of “Nell” in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the entire production was incredibly magical and gorgeous and I had one scene in particular where I was singing on top of a piano in a fabulous dress as the piano moved downstage. I felt like I was living in one of those old movie musicals I used to watch as a little girl; I always dreamed of being in one! What’s next is my one woman show and hopefully more film and TV.

KKH: What characteristics are imperative for women to be successful?

JF: Confidence! It’s very easy to compare your talent, your body or your career to someone else’s and that is dark road to start down. Confidence, integrity and a positive attitude are key.

KKH: How do you strengthen your spirit?

JF: I pray and I spend lots of quiet time with my husband. I also remain connected to the people and things that make me happy that have NOTHING to do with “the business.”

KKH: Tell us more about your one woman show Anonymous premiering in NYC in the fall.

JF: Well, the first thing is that it’s going back to its original title, “Grown Folks Are Talking!“…so there’s that. It’s a piece where all of the fun voices and characters in my head have a chance to come out and play. There are six characters that range in age from 4-1/2 to 96 and some of it is autobiographical.

KKH: What is your best success tip for young women?

JF: First, decide what success means to you; don’t let anyone else define it for you. Most importantly: believe you can do ANYTHING!

A few “favorites” questions:

KKH: What’s on your iPod?

JF: Adele, Beyonce, Eminem, Ella Fitzgerald, Tupac & Stevie Wonder

KKH: Favorite vacation spot:

JF: New Orleans, in particular the French Quarter.

KKH: Favorite NYC restaurant:

JF: Lillie’s at 49th and 8th. Great food and beautiful decor!

KKH: Favorite workout/exercise:

JF: Yoga. It’s so calming and one day I may be able to put my leg over my head!

KKH: Favorite Broadway Show:

JF: American Idiot, hands down!

About Jennifer Fouché:

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Jennifer grew up the youngest of two and has been singing from the moment she could talk. While still a student at Michigan State University, she recorded a demo which was picked up by a record label. She went on to record several songs with KMS Records, one of which, “Now Is The Time” (penned by Jennifer) became a hit in the UK. Following the success of that single, Jennifer toured Europe, promoting her record. Soon after her return from oversees, she became a member of the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, where she realized she had a new love: acting. Jennifer decided to hone her skills at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. After completing the conservatory program at the Academy, she was invited to the 2008 Academy Company. Not only has she originated over 20 roles in plays and musicals, Jennifer has worked in film, television and voice over and toured both at home and internationally as an actor and singer. She is currently starring in the Off Broadway hit, SISTAS: The Musical at St. Luke’s Theatre. In the spring, Jennifer will be wearing the hat of producer in an upcoming production of an original play, “Helicopters,” in which she will also star. Her one woman show, “Anonymous” will premiere in New York next fall.

• Visit Jennifer’s website: jenniferfouche.com
• Visit website for Sistas: The Musical: sistasthemusical.com