🎙️ Building Courage, Confidence & Character: Jessica McLean's Journey from Public Accounting to Nonprofit Leadership

In this inspiring episode, Jessica McLean, Chief Financial Officer at Girl Scouts Nation's Capital, shares her remarkable journey from KPMG and IBM to leading financial operations for the largest Girl Scout council in the country, serving 40,000 youth members. Through powerful stories of redefining success after becoming a mother, overcoming workplace authenticity challenges, and transforming organizational processes, Jessica reveals how faith, curiosity, and humility drive her mission to build young people of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Nonprofit business realities: Why nonprofits need profits and operate as businesses, not charity cases

• Financial process transformation: Cutting monthly closing time from 30 days to 15 through system optimization

• Investment policy creation: Establishing disciplined frameworks for organizational financial growth

• Authentic leadership: Finding courage to show up as yourself, including wearing natural hair in professional settings

• Motherhood and career balance: Redefining success to harmonize ambitious goals with family priorities

• Curiosity as superpower: How asking "why do we do it this way?" drives continuous improvement

• People-first management: Understanding individual motivation and recognition preferences

• Faith-driven leadership: Using prayer and gratitude as daily grounding practices

🌟 Jessica's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Source of strength, purpose, and life direction through faith

• KPMG & IBM Leadership: Early career foundation in analytical thinking and client focus

• Marshall Goldsmith: "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" - management transition wisdom

• Grant Thornton Team: Professional development support during manager promotion

• Family Support System: Mother-in-law and mother providing encouragement during career transitions

• Girl Scout Volunteers: 35,000 volunteers demonstrating commitment to youth development

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about authentic leadership, balancing motherhood with career ambitions, and how nonprofit organizations drive meaningful social impact while maintaining strong business practices.

🔗 Connect with Jessica McLean:

• LinkedIn: Jessica E. McLean (look for Girl Scout uniform profile photo)

• Girl Scouts Nations Capital: Serving DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia

📄 Transcript Available: Building Courage, Confidence & Character: Jessica McLean's Nonprofit Leadership Journey

📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency 🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast

📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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