Manitou Council CEO Announces Retirement

After 35 years of dedicated service to Girl Scouts of Manitou Council, Chief Executive Officer

Denise Schemenauer has announced her retirement, effective August 2026.

Denise Schemenauer is a life-long Girl Scout. Growing up in a military family, every year meant a new school with new routines, teachers, and schoolmates. But every place she went there were Girl Scouts. Girl Scouting gave her confidence and an immediate sense of being included. This continued into her adult life. She began her professional career with Girl Scouts in 1985. Throughout her 41 years with the organization, she served in a variety of capacities, including Membership Director, Director of Membership Services, and Assistant CEO, before ultimately becoming CEO in 1997.

Throughout Schemenauer's tenure, a greater percentage of girls are Girl Scouts in this area than nearly any place else in the nation. Schemenauer helped assure that Manitou Council remained serving local girls through a nationwide consolidation effort, ultimately creating a legal precendent that not-for-profits enjoy the same legal protections as for-profit businesses. Her steady leadership, vision, and commitment to girls have shaped our council in lasting ways.

"I credit Manitou Council's success to a strong volunteer ethic in the area and a three-pronged focus on the quintessential emphases of Girl Scouting," said Schemenauer. "Appreciation and preservation of nature through camping and outdoor activities, leadership and goal setting through the Girl Scout Cookie sale, and responsibility to others in the community through Girl Scout community service activities.

"Denise has been a visionary leader for Girl Scouts. She's made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of girls and adult volunteers," said Anna Doll, Chair of the Board of DIrectors. "We are lucky to have had her passion and expertise guiding us all these years. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Girl Scouts." 

The Board of Directors is pleased to partner with executive search firm Find Great People (FGP). They are a preferred vendor to Girl Scouts of the USA and have worked with over 18 Girl Scout Councils on successful CEO placements. To express interest in this opportunity or to learn more, please reach out to Executive Recruiter, Kristy Lysik. They hope to have a new CEO in place by end of July 2026 to ensure a smooth transition and continued success for Girl Scouts of Manitou Council.