Frances Hesselbein
Born 1915 · Age 110
American businesswoman, long-time CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA (1976–1990), founding president/CEO of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation / Leader to Leader Institute, prolific author/editor and leadership educator.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Frances Richards (later Hesselbein) was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Took classes at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Junior College
She took classes at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Junior College (source: Wikipedia).
Married John Hesselbein
Frances Richards married John Hesselbein when she was 22.
Birth of son (John) — family milestone (estimated)
She became a mother to a son named John (text references a 'little boy' before joining the Girl Scouts). Year is estimated from narrative context.
Began Girl Scouts volunteering (late 1940s)
Took on what she expected to be a temporary role leading a troop of 30 girls; began long Volunteer involvement that led to a lifetime in Girl Scouts.
Career in leadership begins as volunteer troop leader (noted start)
Sources note she 'began her career in leadership' in 1960 as a volunteer troop leader, marking the start of her climb within GSUSA.
Senior Girl Scout East-West International Conference (Honolulu)
Photograph caption / record places her on the GSUSA National Board at the Senior Girl Scout East-West International Conference in Honolulu (Aug 1-23, 1966).
Appointed CEO (National Executive Director) of Girl Scouts of the USA
Hesselbein was tapped as Chief Executive Officer of GSUSA (first to be appointed from within the organization).
Spoke at White House events with First Lady Rosalynn Carter
Public appearances/meetings with Rosalynn Carter, who served as GSUSA Honorary National President (1977–1981); Hesselbein appeared with Girl Scouts at the White House circa 1977–1978.
Edith Macy Conference Center redevelopment groundbreaking
Oversaw/celebrated an ambitious transformation of Girl Scouts' Briarcliff Manor campground into the modern Edith Macy Center; groundbreaking photo dated 1980.
Introduced Daisies level for K–1 girls (during GSUSA tenure)
Under Hesselbein GSUSA created a new level (Daisies) to reach younger girls, expanding outreach and relevance (year approximated as mid-1980s from tenure narrative).
Membership milestone: GSUSA reaches ~2.25 million members
By the end of Hesselbein's GSUSA tenure the organization attained membership of 2.25 million girls and a workforce of ~780,000 (mainly volunteers).
Left Girl Scouts; became founding president & CEO of Peter F. Drucker Foundation
In 1990 Hesselbein left GSUSA to lead the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management (later Leader to Leader Institute).
Named founding President & CEO of the Drucker Foundation / Leader to Leader
Selected by Peter Drucker to be founding president and CEO of his nonprofit leadership organization (role start).
Appointed to Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service (approx.)
Appointed to two Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service by President George H.W. Bush (appointment timeframe ~1989–1993; year approximated).
Served on corporate and nonprofit boards (Mutual of America, Bright China Social Fund, etc.)
Biographies list board service with Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, Bright China Social Fund, California Institute of Advanced Management, and Teachers College Columbia University Presidents Advisory Council (dates vary; mid-1990s used as rounded marker).
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton for leadership with GSUSA and contributions to volunteerism and diversity.
Stepped from CEO to Chair of Leader to Leader Institute Board
Transitioned from CEO role (1990–2000) to Chair of the Board of the Leader to Leader Institute (2000–2010).
Denoted a Pitt Legacy Laureate (University of Pittsburgh)
University of Pittsburgh named her a Legacy Laureate recognizing distinction and contributions (Pitt Campaign Chronicle note, 2000).
Published Hesselbein on Leadership (foreword by Jim Collins)
Authored/foreworded leadership volume 'Hesselbein on Leadership' continuing her work popularizing values-based leadership.
Published 'Be, Know, Do: Leadership the Army Way' (with Gen. Eric Shinseki)
Co-authored a leadership book applying Army leadership principles to broader leadership practice.
Spoke at Agora conference (April 2004); public Q&A on leadership
Delivered a keynote and participated in Q&A at the Agora conference in April 2004; commented on power vs. influence in leadership.
Peter Drucker died (impact on foundation)
Peter Drucker passed away in 2005. The foundation Hesselbein led would later be renamed in her honor (2012).
MCEC creates Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program
Military Child Education Coalition established a student leadership program named for Hesselbein to teach leadership skills to high school students.
International Leadership Association Lifetime Achievement Award
Received the ILA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing her long contribution to leadership development.
Edited 'The Organization of the Future 2' (2009)
Co-edited an influential leadership/management anthology (with others) addressing visions and strategies for modern organizations.
Helped found Hesselbein Global Academy at University of Pittsburgh
Assisted in establishing the Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at Pitt (dedicated to ethical leadership education).
Ended tenure as Chair of Leader to Leader Institute Board
Concluded role as Chair of the Board of the Leader to Leader Institute (served as Chair 2000–2010).
Had received ~22 honorary doctoral degrees (milestone)
Biographical sources note she received 22 honorary doctoral degrees (date not specified; statement appears in bios by 2011).
Published 'My Life in Leadership' (memoir, foreword by Jim Collins)
Released her memoir reflecting on a lifetime of leadership and service.
Co-editor/author milestone: 27 books published in 29 languages (statement)
Described as co-editor of 27 books published in 29 languages — milestone noted in biographical summaries (date approximate; cited in bios around 2011).
Oral history interview at IUPUI Tobias Center (Mar 4, 2011)
Participated in a recorded oral history interview for the Tobias Leadership Center (March 4, 2011).
Oral history interview at Leader to Leader Institute (May 24, 2011)
Participated in a second recorded oral-history interview at the Leader to Leader Institute in New York City.
Drucker Foundation renamed Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute
After Peter Drucker's death (2005), the Peter F. Drucker Foundation was renamed in Hesselbein's honor (renamed in 2012).
Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum established at University of Pittsburgh GSPIA (approx.)
The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute later became the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum at the University of Pittsburgh GSPIA (date approximated; formation follows the Institute rename and affiliation with Pitt).
100th birthday
Frances Hesselbein turned 100 years old on November 1, 2015; public celebrations and press coverage noted.
Co-edited 'Work Is Love Made Visible' (2018)
Continued editorial work on leadership anthologies, including 'Work Is Love Made Visible' (2018).
Awarded President’s Volunteer Service Award (reported as recent)
Biographical sources note she received the President's Volunteer Service Award from President Joe Biden (reported as a recent award; year approximated to Biden term).
Death at home in Easton, Pennsylvania
Frances Hesselbein died at her home in Easton, Pennsylvania on December 11, 2022, aged 107.
Key Achievement Ages
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