Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Announces New CEO
June 17, 2024
Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Announces Jai Ferrell as New CEO
Native Atlantan with Deep Community Ties and Business Acumen Ready to Lead Next Generation of Girls and Volunteers
Mableton, GA – June 17, 2024 – The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL) announces today the appointment of Jai Ferrell (She/Her/Hers pronouns) as the new Chief Executive Officer for the council effective July 1, 2024. An experienced business leader with deep roots in the Atlanta community, Ferrell brings a unique blend of experience, values, and passion for mission-driven leadership to the organization.
Following an extensive and thoughtful nationwide search, the Board of Directors selected Ferrell for her alignment with the Girl Scouts’ mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character combined with a unique skill set and background including marketing revenue management and the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Susan L. Lazaro who led the search committee and is the incoming board chair of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta commented, “Jai’s extensive experience and relevant connections to the metro-Atlanta community and beyond were important factors in our decision. We’re excited to see her support our mission while elevating the impact we have on the lives of girls across the entire area our council serves."
Sonnet C. Edmonds, current Chair, also expressed her enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, "Jai Ferrell embodies the qualities and leadership we sought in our next CEO and we’re certain she will guide us with vision and compassion. We can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on our council.”
Ferrell, an Atlanta native and former Girl Scout, has strong ties to the area’s business, government, and cultural leaders. Her professional experience spans complex, multi-stakeholder environments, most recently serving as the Chief Commercial/Revenue Officer for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Ferrell will notably also be the first person of color to lead the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Council.
Reflecting on her new role, Jai Ferrell said, “I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. This is the right time and place for me to bring my skills and talents to serve others. Girl Scouts is an organization that aligns closely with my personal values of integrity, impact, and authenticity. I am ready to help inspire the next generation of young women and look forward to getting started on July 1st.”
Kathleen (“Kat”) Marran, Interim CEO, commented on the transition, “We are delighted to welcome Jai Ferrell as our new leader. Her vision and commitment to the Girl Scouts’ mission are evident, and I am confident she will drive our council forward, building on our strong foundation.”
Ferrell’s impressive career includes roles in entertainment television, consumer products, and sports, contributing to major companies like WarnerMedia, CNN, Major League Baseball, and BET Networks. She is an award-winning executive recognized for her leadership, including being named one of Atlanta Magazine’s 500 Top Leaders (2024, 2023, & 2022) and a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality Honoree (2023).
A fifth-generation Atlantan, Ferrell holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a Master’s degree from Georgia State University. In 2023, she completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education program, earning the Certificate of Management Excellence. She is also deeply involved in community service, serving on the board of the Andrew & Walter Young YMCA and actively partners with several institutions across Atlanta, Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton County Schools.
About Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta:
More than 23,000 Girl Scouts throughout 34 counties in the greater metropolitan Atlanta, northwest Georgia, and Polk County, TN bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girls of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike, advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsatl.org .
For more information, visit www.girlscoutsatl.org or contact us at helpline@gsgatl.org.
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For further details or to schedule an interview, please contact:
John Smiles
jsmiles@gsgatl.org
678-392-6306 – Cell Phone
