Each year, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast honors a few key individuals who have poured their heart and soul into the Girl Scout organization. These women pave the way for future girl leaders by acting as exemplary role models, achieving lasting change in their communities, and demonstrating that with the power of a G.I.R.L., anything is possible.
This year, we are proud to recognize these six women as our 2020 Women of Distinction. Honorees are women who have made significant contributions in one or more of the key focus areas for success as outlined by the Girl Scouts Research Institute. These areas include Healthy Living, Financial Empowerment, S.T.E.M., Leadership, and Community Responsibility. Girls who have positive influences within these areas are more likely to gain essential skills and find success on their journey to a lifetime of leadership. After finding out a little bit more about our honorees, you will see how our council is so fortunate to have empowered, determined, caring, and selfless individuals leading our girls.
Please help us celebrate and congratulate our incredible 2020 Women of Distinction!
Crystal Evans
Crystal Evans is a local Ventura County business owner of Conejo Awards in Thousand Oaks and Engraving Wizard in Simi Valley. Crystal was born and raised in Simi Valley and is an alumni of California Lutheran University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Crystal is involved in various community organizations, serving as an ambassador for the Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation, ambassador for the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, and is on leadership for the chamber’s Young Professionals group, Emerging Leaders. She was honored by the chamber as a 40 under Forty winner in 2017. Additionally, Crystal is an active Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks and a board member for CLU’s Community Leaders Association. She loves the community, mentoring other young professionals, and supporting Girl Scouts.
Janet Lunt
Janet Lunt has served on the GSCCC Heritage Committee since 1992 and has been part of the Girl Scout family since 1970. She has extensive Girl Scout experience, serving as leader of her daughter’s troops, Day Camp unit leader, Adult Volunteer Trainer, and Outdoor Consultant. Janet has been active in all aspects of Girl Scout life, including leading Dutch Oven and SWAP workshops at camp, managing nut and cookie depots during product sales, serving as Santa Barbara Girl Scout shop manager, and participating in every Kaleidoscope Camporee from 1985 to 2004. Outside of Girl Scouts, she has been involved in numerous community organizations including the Northside Optimist Club of Santa Barbara and Optimist International Pacific Southwest District. Janet has received many recognitions from Girl Scouts for her years of service, including the Appreciation Pin, Outstanding Volunteer Pin, Thanks Badge, Honor Pin, Volunteer of Excellence, and more. We are so grateful to have such dedicated volunteers like Janet as part of our organization.
Danielle McCaffrey
Danielle enjoyed Girl Scouts as a young girl, “flying up” from Brownies and advancing to Cadette rank in Santa Barbara. Her fondest Girl Scout memories including earning her sewing badge and wearing her creation to school, participating in bicentennial ceremonies in a Betsy Ross outfit, and camping adventures. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Administration and a Masters degree in Education from Vanderbilt University, Danielle has worked in Human Resources, accounting, and marketing. She has enjoyed volunteering with the Junior League of Nashville, Minneapolis, and Santa Barbara. Danielle and her husband, John, have been happily married for 28 years and have had the greatest joy in raising their three children, Andrew, Stephen, and Natalie. In Santa Barbara, Danielle has been active on Parent Auxiliary Boards for her children’s various schools, the Lobero Theatre Associates Board, a Girl Scout Leader since 2008, and on the GSCCC Board for the past two years. Since 2010, Danielle has been actively managing Hearing Services of Santa Barbara, a local Hearing Aid and Audiology Practice.
Sue Roth
Sue Roth’s Girl Scout experience began as a Brownie, and since then has countless opportunities for leadership, fun, and friendships, stating that Girl Scouts “fills her soul.” She continued to become a troop leader for her two daughters, training facilitator, Service Unit Manager, President of MBGSC Council, Director of Camp Artemis, and GSCCC Vice Chair of Membership. Some of her favorite Girl Scout memories include hosting New Zealand Girl Guides, a Steinbeck National Girl Scout Destination, lobbying in Washington D.C. for Girl Scouts, incredible training opportunities, national and international travels, and many exciting camping experiences. Sue is an incredibly involved community member, serving as past President of the Scotts Valley Unified School District, current President of the Santa Cruz County Board of Education, President of three PTAs, leadership in Boy Scouts of America and 4-H, and past Senior Warden of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. She has been the recipient of the Thanks Badge, Thanks II Badge, and the ultimate Outdoor Blue Jay Award for her outstanding efforts. Sue said that “Gratitude cannot encompass what Girl Scouts has offered me in growth and memories,” and we are so lucky to have her.
Maria Ventura
As public affairs manager for SoCalGas, Maria has used her resources, expertise, and passion to make a difference in the lives of girls. She fully supports the Girl Scouts’ vision of “developing skills and confidence that will last a lifetime,” and proactively reaches out to our council asking how she can help support our members. Maria has over 15 years of experience in both private and public sectors, with proven leadership in communications, community organizing, and government affairs. Previously, she served as a political staffer for a Los Angeles Unified School District board member and two Los Angeles City council members. She frequently advances diversity initiatives and secured a SoCalGas grant for Alcanza a las Estrellas: Tardeada con Dunia Elvir (Reaching for the Stars with Dunia Elvir) to recruit more Latinas to join Girl Scouts. Maria strongly believes in giving back to her community and serves on several community boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura, El Concilio, VCEDA, and the American Red Cross-Central Coast Region. She was named a “Latina of Influence” by Hispanic Lifestyle and received Pacific Coast Business Times’ “Top 50 Women in Business” and “Latinos in Business” awards for her outstanding accomplishments and commitment to improving the community. In her downtime, Maria enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Jose, and her son, Diego.
Celina Zacarias
The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Celina L. Zacarias was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and came to the United States at three years old. Always striving for excellence in her endeavors, she became the first in her family to go to college, graduating from UCSB with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish Literature and Hispanic Civilization. She gained business training through careers at GMAC Mortgage, Wells Fargo, and Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, until she joined California State University Channel Islands in 2007. As Senior Director of Community and Government Relations, she is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with local elected officials, state legislators, and U.S. Congressional representatives in Washington D.C. with the goal of communicating the campus’ positions on issues and to obtain support for needed resources. Celina currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Moorpark, Camarillo, and Oxnard Chambers of Commerce. She is presently the Chair of both the Oxnard and Camarillo Chambers of Commerce. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the VCEDA, VCCA, Ventura County Workforce Development, Women’s Economic Roundtable, Leadership Californi,a and more. Her contributions to the community have resulted in awards including the 2018 Latina Leadership Award, 2012 Top Latina in Higher Education Award, and the 2006 Top Woman in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times, to name just a few.
This year, our goal is to raise $75k to support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, ensuring that all girls in our local communities have the support, experiences, and opportunities they need to realize their fullest potential. By donating $25, you could provide a year of Girl Scout membership to a girl who might not otherwise be able to participate. With Girl Scouts, girls have the chance to become outdoor explorers, inquisitive scientists, empowered leaders, and savvy business owners – the sky is truly the limit. Help us continue to provide girls with the opportunities to get outside their comfort zones, gain confidence, dream big, and realize that nothing is beyond their reach!
Interested in supporting? You can now make a donation to our council Venmo (@GSCCC) or by visiting here.
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