How Nancy Wright Is Leveraging Her Professional Success to Inspire the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Business

For Nancy Wright, there’s no such thing as a traditional career path. Her experience is incredibly diverse—from for-profit to nonprofit organizations, Wright has worn a lot of hats over the course of her professional life.

She got her start with ARAMARK, working her way up the corporate ladder to become the brand’s director of sales. From there, Wright went on to work for the Museum of Science & Industry and the Chicago Botanic Garden before starting her own consulting business, where she guided nonprofits and small businesses through their obstacles and challenges. It was from her consulting business that Wright found her next position with Blue Plate as its President. But it wasn’t until a time of personal crisis when her dad became ill that she discovered her desire to pursue a career that enabled her to give back to others. That’s when she came across the opportunity to join the Girl Scouts organization.

“I had one moment with my dad while his health was declining that really put everything into perspective. He started off by telling me that he was proud of everything that I had been able to accomplish over the course of my career. But then he challenged me by asking, ‘As you look at your life when you’re sitting where I’m sitting today, what have you done for others that will create your legacy that lives on?’ That really inspired me to re-evaluate my next steps,” said Wright. “I realized that I wanted to be involved with a company that changes people’s lives. And the Girl Scouts really spoke to my heart.”

As CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Wright is now leading a brand that’s designed to enhance the lives of young women and set them up for success. The organization has changed immensely in its 105 years of operation, and its mission goes far beyond selling cookies. Today, every program that the Girl Scouts runs is based on four pillars: STEM education, outdoor education, healthy living and financial literacy and entrepreneurship. And by helping young women gain the experience and self-esteem that they need in order to pursue their passions, Wright is positive that the Girl Scouts is making a difference.

“Being successful in business involves so much more than a title or position with a brand. Women need to develop their own identities and be comfortable in their own skin in order to aspire to greater opportunities,” said Wright. “From there, it’s important for women to be able to envision their own careers in their desired field. There are so many opportunities out there for women in the workplace, and it’s important for girls to know what they all are. That’s why the Girl Scouts offers programs that are designed to give young women front row access to their dream jobs at a young age.”

One of those programs is Camp CEO. Every summer, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana holds a summer camp that matches its members with a CEO mentor in their industry of interest. By speaking openly and honestly about their jobs and how they got there, the goal is for CEOs to help teenagers and young women be prepared for the interview process and cultivate their own individual brand.

Another program that the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana offers is Project Law Track. This program is geared towards young women interested in pursuing a career in the legal field—Project Law Track is designed to explain all of the opportunities included under that large umbrella. And at the end of the series—after working with some of Chicago’s leading lawyers—participants have the opportunity to put on a mock trial. It’s that commitment to highlighting real professional experiences that makes these Girl Scouts programs a success. And Wright says that at the core of every career program is crucial education on three skills that will continue to be differentiators for prospective employees in business going forward.

“There’s no doubt that technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in business. But there are three skills that technology will never be able to replace: communication, collaboration and problem-solving. That’s what we’re trying to teach to the young girls involved with our organization. We want to see them become the next wave of leaders and innovators,” Wright said.

In order to make room for that next generation, Wright believes that it’s up to organizations like the Girl Scouts to create an environment in which women can succeed. By establishing relationships between young girls and potential mentors and sponsors, the organization is doing its part in ensuring gender equality in the workplace. And according to Wright, there’s no doubt that progress is being made.

“There have been multiple times over the course of my career that I’ve been the only woman in the room. But I’ve always had a seat at the table. And I recognize that comes with a great deal of responsibility—it’s up to women in business today to create a path for those who will come after us,” said Wright. “I feel so blessed that I’m in a position that allows me to advocate for future leaders every single day. There’s a new fire that’s fueling tomorrow’s CEOs that wasn’t there when I was first launching my career, and businesses and organizations are taking an extra step to invest in women leaders. By continuing to support that trend and creating opportunities for women across all business industries, we’re going to see a lot more women making a difference not just within specific companies, but in the world as a whole.”