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    Frances Hesselbein

    President and CEO

    Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
    • 2.Served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1976 to 1990, rising from a volunteer troop leader.
    • 3.Promoted a service-oriented approach to leadership through the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute.
    • 4.Authored and co-edited over 20 books on leadership and management.
    • 5.Honored by the University of Pittsburgh with the establishment of The Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement.

    About Frances

    Who is Frances Hesselbein?

    Frances Hesselbein was a distinguished leader and author, renowned for her transformative work in nonprofit management, leadership development, and fostering diversity. Her impactful career culminated in being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Throughout her professional life, Hesselbein championed inclusive communication, circular management processes, and listening-focused feedback, leaving a lasting legacy on organizational development.

    She held the esteemed position of Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing effective leadership. Hesselbein's influence extended to numerous non-profit and corporate boards, demonstrating her broad impact across various sectors. She was also the President and CEO of the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, which was originally established as the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management in 1990 and later renamed in 2012 to honor her contributions.

    Hesselbein’s dedication to cultivating future leaders was further solidified through her role as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In recognition of her profound influence, the University of Pittsburgh established The Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement in her honor in 2009. This academy aims to develop leaders equipped to address critical global issues and drive positive social and economic initiatives.

    What is Frances Hesselbein known for?

    Frances Hesselbein is widely recognized for her pioneering work in leadership, nonprofit management, and promoting diversity, volunteerism, and opportunity. Her tenure as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1976 to 1990 is a testament to her ability to rise from a volunteer troop leader to lead a national organization, implementing significant reforms that emphasized inclusivity and modern management practices. Her leadership at the Girl Scouts earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1998, acknowledging her groundbreaking efforts in women’s advancement and dedication to volunteerism.

    A central aspect of Hesselbein’s legacy is her commitment to advancing leadership within the social sector. Through the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, she promoted a service-oriented approach to leadership, greatly influenced by the management philosophies of Peter Drucker. She is also acclaimed for authoring and co-editing over 20 books, including influential works like Hesselbein on Leadership, My Life in Leadership, and More Hesselbein on Leadership, which have served as valuable resources for aspiring and established leaders alike. Hesselbein also made significant contributions to national service, having been appointed by President George H.W. Bush to two Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service.

    What is Frances Hesselbein's background and experience?

    Frances Hesselbein

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Frances Hesselbein (1915-2022) was a distinguished American leader and author, renowned for her transformative work in nonprofit management and leadership development. Her career culminated in receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. She rose from a volunteer troop leader to become the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1976 to 1990, where she implemented significant reforms emphasizing inclusivity and modern management. She was the President and CEO of the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, originally the Peter F. Drucker Foundation. Her influence also extended to appointments on two Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service.

    Areas of Expertise

    Hesselbein’s work focused on creating organizations that were "diverse, inclusive, and mission-focused." She championed circular management processes, listening-focused feedback, and a service-oriented approach to leadership, influenced by the philosophies of Peter Drucker. Her expertise covered nonprofit management, organizational diversity, volunteerism, strategic planning, civic engagement, and mentorship.

    Topics Covered

    Throughout her extensive career of writing and speaking, Hesselbein addressed critical topics in organizational development, including:

    • Leadership Development
    • Nonprofit Management
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Strategic Planning
    • Volunteerism and Civic Engagement
    • Mentorship

    Areas of Expertise

    Leadership DevelopmentNonprofit ManagementOrganizational DiversityVolunteerismStrategic PlanningCivic EngagementInclusionMentorship

    Research Topics

    LeadershipNonprofit ManagementDiversity & InclusionOrganizational Development

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