RALEIGH, N.C. – Leigh Griffin Duque has been named chief development officer of Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines. Duque brings more than 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector – and 10 years of professional Girl Scout experience – to her new position, where she will oversee resource development, communications and property management for the newly created Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, a merger of the Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina and Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council. The new council serves more than 32,000 girl members and nearly 10,000 adult members in 41 central and eastern North Carolina counties.
“The Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines is extremely fortunate that Leigh is returning to the Girl Scouts with her strong dedication and experience with our mission and deep roots in the 41 counties that our Council serves in eastern and central North Carolina,” said Rusine Mitchell Sinclair, CEO Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines.
For the past five years, Duque served as executive director of the YWCA of the Greater Triangle. During her tenure, she oversaw significant accomplishments, including re-allocating YWCA resources toward mission-based, community needs-driven priorities, forging ground-breaking partnerships and developing an aggressive three-year strategic plan.
The former assistant executive director of Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council and vice president for institutional advancement of Mount Olive College, Duque has extensive knowledge of Girl Scouts and the eastern half of the state, as well as a successful track record in fund development, program and property management, marketing and communications, human resources leadership, and community relations and collaboration.
“My commitment to the empowerment of girls and women – and to the full inclusion of all people of all backgrounds – has been a motivating force throughout my career,” said Duque. “I am delighted that my return to Girl Scouts will allow me to forward that personal mission. What could be more rewarding than to wake up each day and say, I’m helping build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place?”
Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines serves more than 32,000 girls in 41 central and eastern North Carolina counties. (Counties are: Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne, and Wilson.) The council’s administrative headquarters will be located in Raleigh. Additionally, program and service centers are located in Fayetteville and Goldsboro.
About Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.7 million girl and adult members worldwide. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls in every corner of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as destinations abroad. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA 4 U or 800-478-7248, or visit www.girlscouts.org.