Voice for Girls

KELLY  VLAHAKIS-HANKS

President & CEO, ECOS

As President and CEO of ECOS plant-powered cleaning products, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks is passionate about advancing both human and planetary health through purpose-driven leadership. She leads four manufacturing facilities across the U.S. as well as a European manufacturing platform. Vlahakis-Hanks is widely recognized for her highly effective leadership at ECOS and her influential voice in safer chemistry, regenerative manufacturing, and corporate social responsibility. Under her leadership, ECOS is the #1 selling green laundry detergent in the United States.

Vlahakis-Hanks led ECOS to become a Climate Positive company after achieving carbon neutrality, water neutrality, and TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification. ECOS is the first manufacturer to receive LEED® Zero certifications in net-zero energy, carbon, and waste. The company has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Partner of the Year eight times.

 

Kelly Given

Girl Scouts OC Board Member; Associate General Counsel  at Lennar Corporation

Dr. Darla Holland

Former Girl Scouts OC Board Member; Independent Director, and Strategic Advisor

Karen Caplan

Girl Scouts OC Board Member; former President and CEO of Frieda's Specialty Produce

Laura Watkins Utterback

Girl Scouts OC Suporter; Partner at Newmeyer & Dillion LLP

2025 VFG Keynote Emily Calandrelli

2025 Theme

Female Empowerment: Supporting the Next Generation

In today’s dynamic business environment, fostering a culture where women support and uplift one another is not just a matter of fairness—it’s a strategic imperative. It’s crucial to recognize the profound impact that such support can have on both individual careers and organizational success. We’ll explore how fostering supportive networks among women can drive innovation, career advancement, and organizational success. Studies show that women with mentors are 37% more likely to be promoted (American Management Association, 2019) and prioritizing gender equity leads to higher employee satisfaction with a 30% lower turnover rate (Deloitte, 2020). This forum will focus on actionable strategies to create these supportive environments, benefiting both individuals and organizations alike.

Keynote Update: Women Supporting Women
We’re excited to welcome Emily Calandrelli—Emmy-nominated host, MIT engineer, science advocate, and the 100th woman in space—as our new keynote speaker! Emily is stepping in for her close friend and sister STEM leader, Kellie Gerardi, who is focusing on the important journey of growing her family.

This heartfelt change is a powerful reminder of what it means to support one another—and a celebration of women lifting each other up.

2025 VFG Keynote: Emily Calandrelli


100th woman to fly to space, executive producer and host, aerospace engineer, author, and advocate for girls in STEM

Emily is an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated science TV host and producer, recently becoming the 100th woman to fly to space.

She’s the Host and Co-Executive Producer of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, a correspondent on Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World and the Executive Producer and host of FOX’s Xploration Outer Space. She is known as The Space Gal across social media to her nearly 4 million followers.

Emily is the New York Times Bestselling author of the science experiment books Stay Curious and Keep Exploring and Stay Curious and Keep Exploring Next Level, the picture book Reach for the Stars, and the chapter book series, the Ada Lace Adventures which released its sixth title last year. 

2024 VFG Keynote Tara Lapinski

Keynote: Tara Lipinski, NBC Figure Skating and Olympic Analyst/Host, Olympic Gold Medalist, Influencer

At just 15 years old, Lipinski made history and gained international recognition as the youngest Olympic gold medalist in the Winter Games. The iconic Olympian thrived in the high-pressure world of competitive sports and understands the importance of mental wellness. Beyond figure skating, Lipinski has written two inspirational books and works as an analyst for NBC, covering figure skating and the Winter Olympic Games. A new mom, Lipinski recently went public with her 5-year struggle with infertility before welcoming her daughter through surrogacy. She is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. Read More.

Panel Discussion:
A panel of high school-age Girl Scouts will share their “take action” projects around Mental Wellness and their hopes for future workplaces and relationships that promote women’s wellness and inspire our female leaders, change-makers, and cure-finders.

2023 VFG Keynote asey Cooper, Ph.D.

Keynote: Casey Cooper, Ph.D.  Licensed psychologist, researcher, educator, Girl Scout volunteer, specializing in treating perfectionism

Panel Discussion:
A panel of older Girl Scouts will share action they have taken in the area of Mental Wellness and their hopes for future workplaces that promote women’s wellness and inspire female leaders, change-makers, and cure-finders.

The last decade has seen an unprecedented rise in mental health concerns among young women and girls. Add to that the disproportionate impact the recent pandemic has had on women and we now see their needs reaching crisis levels. Voice for Girls 2023 co-presented by Kaiser Permanente Orange County will explore how we can create workplaces that promote mental wellness for women, so that today’s girls grow up to enter workplaces that support them in living their best lives, both within and outside the workplace.

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