Girl Scouts of Manitou Council Announces New CEO Hope Spies

Girl Scouts of Manitou Council is pleased to announce Hope Spies as the next Chief Executive Officer. Spies has assumed the role as of August 24th, succeeding Denise Schemenauer, who will retire in September after 41 years of service to Girl Scouting.

Spies brings more than 11 years of leadership experience within Girl Scouts, most recently serving as the Director of Program Quality for Girl Scouts of Manitou Council since 2023. In that role, she has worked hard to lead volunteer education and develop a strong troop leader training plan. She also oversaw Girl Scouts of Manitou Council’s summer camp operations, bringing high-quality outdoor fun to thousands of Girl Scouts. Prior to her role as Director of Program Quality, Hope served as the Director of Camp and Program from 2020-2023.

“I am incredibly honored to step into this role with an organization that has meant so much to me,” said Hope Spies. “I strongly believe in the Girl Scouts’ mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place and can’t wait to continue working hard to bring Girl Scouts to every girl.”

Spies has also held many seasonal roles at Girl Scouts of Manitou Council’s Camp Evelyn since first starting as a camp counselor in 2015. She has worked as a unit coordinator, activity director, camp nurse, and kitchen staff, before ultimately becoming the Assistant Camp Director. She was a Girl Scout herself and spent many summers attending Girl Scout camps and completing the Counselor in Training program.

Before joining Girl Scouts of Manitou Council, Hope spent three years teaching in northern rural Wisconsin. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education, and a master’s in Special Education with a focus on emotional behavioral disorders.

Manitou Council’s Board of Directors partnered with executive search firm Find Great People to conduct an intensive national search to find the right new leader for Girl Scouts of Manitou Council.

“We are thrilled to have Hope Spies as our next CEO,” said Anna Doll, Girl Scouts of Manitou Council’s Chair of the Board of Directors. “Hope has the leadership skills, dedication, and deep commitment to our mission that will strengthen and grow Girl Scouts of Manitou Council. We know she will build on the foundation of empowerment that Denise Schemenauer leaves and propel us to a new era of innovation and continued growth.”