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Meet the CEO, Dr. Linda E. Farley

'Meet the CEO Dr. Linda E. Farley' with an image of Linda and 2 other women smiling.

Linda E. Farley, Ed.D, joined Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC) in 2013 as its Chief Executive Officer. Linda provides leadership, strategic direction, and vision for the development and achievement of GSHCC’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

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Under her direction, GSHCC has expanded local opportunities that ensure every girl has access to the life-changing benefits of Girl Scouts. Through innovative after-school partnership programs and Latinx initiatives, Linda is committed to broadening Girl Scout programming to all girls in our region. 

Under Linda’s leadership, GSHCC opened STEM Center + MakerSpaces in Sacramento and Modesto and a mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace to reach girls throughout the council’s expansive 18-county service area. The organization has also expanded high-quality outdoor programming at camp properties and through partnerships with local outdoor adventure programs. 

“It is a privilege and honor to work with the volunteers, staff, board, and our many community partners to further our mission and provide endless ways for girls to learn and lead,” said Linda, whose passion is watching girls grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Prior to joining GSHCC, Linda led fund development efforts at the Crocker Art Museum and served as executive director of the Children’s Museum of Denver, chief development officer at the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter, and chief operating officer at Up with People. 

Linda holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Michigan State University. 

An active member of the community, Linda is a senior fellow with the Mountain Valley Chapter American Leadership Forum and an International Women’s Forum member. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors at Capital College and Career Academy and an Executive Advisory Committee member with Leadership California. 

Girl Scouts is key to who she is today. Linda was a Girl Scout for seven years in Sacramento. Her mother served as the troop leader for Linda and her two sisters. She earned the highest award in Girl Scouting, becoming a First-Class Girl Scout, known today as the Girl Scout Gold Award.