There are five more “Cool Women” in the San Diego Girl Scouts’ history books – women whose personal and professional lives make them consummate role models to girls in our local community. Among those honored today in front of a crowd of 300 people was SDG&E’s Chief Operating Officer Caroline Winn.
This is the 17th year that the local Girl Scouts organization has recognized trailblazing Cool Women from diverse sectors who are making positive changes. Some of these female executive leaders, including Winn, are former Girl Scouts.
Developing Mental Toughness
Upon receiving this unique honor, Winn shared her passion for making a difference in the lives of young girls. Being the only female in her graduating engineering class, she knew then that she wanted to pave the road for change. Winn has spent much of her career advocating for programs that expose more girls to science, technology, engineer and math (STEM) education, and assuring them that they can be leaders in these fields.
While engineering was a natural path for Winn, she had to overcome negative cues. That environment fueled her determination to develop mental toughness and deliver results for success. Now she is working to pay it forward by motivating and mentoring young girls to create their own unique journey.
#BeThatGirl Initiative
During today’s ceremony, Winn also launched a new SDG&E initiative called #BeThatGirl. Winn told the crowd that 50 women from our company’s workforce who are in a STEM profession will become role models and mentors for young girls this year. These mentors will meet with girls from the community to share how a STEM education influenced their future. The hope is to spark a passion for STEM and start developing tomorrow’s innovation leaders. To identify a mentor through SDG&E's #BeThatGirl initiative, click here.
The other four 2018 Cool Women include: Paola Avila, Vice President of International Business Affairs for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; Jeannie Hilger, Vice President of Communications Business for Northrup Grumman Corporation; Dea Hurston who is an arts advocate, philanthropist and playwright; and Dr. Laura Shawver, President and CEO of Synthorx, Inc.