Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Announces Honorees for their 45th
Annual Distinguished Women Awards
Former Honoree, News Anchor Denise Koch, to Serve as Event Emcee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Danita Terry, Director of
Marketing & Communications
410-358-9711/dtery@gscm.org
Baltimore, MD – October 23, 2025 – Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
(GSCM) is proud to announce the honorees for its
45th annual Distinguished Women Awards. The organization’s signature
networking fundraiser celebrates accomplished women whose leadership,
service, and achievements inspire the next generation of Girl Scouts.
The event will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Preston
Hall in Baltimore City.
This year, six remarkable women from the central Maryland region
will be recognized for their professional excellence and community
impact. We are thrilled that Denise Koch, a 2007 Distinguished Woman
Honoree, has agreed to serve as emcee for the event. This year’s
amazing honorees are:
- Valerie Ashby, Ph.D., President, University of Maryland,
Baltimore County
- Marie Hartman, Co-Founder, Hartman
Executive Advisors
- Jennifer LaFrance, Senior Leader, United
Way Worldwide
- Honorable Ellen Moyer, Former Mayor of
Annapolis
- Stacy Percoski, Division Vice President,
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
- Leslie Simmons,
Executive Vice President, LifeBridge Health
“The Distinguished Women Awards is more than a celebration of
individual achievement—it is an opportunity to showcase the power of
women leaders who are role models for our girls,” said Distinguished
Woman Awards committee chair, Deborah Diehl. “Each of these women has
broken barriers in her field and invested in her community. By sharing
their stories with our girls, they show what’s possible when women
lead with purpose.”
The Distinguished Woman Awards raises critical funds to support
GSCM programs that prepare girls to thrive as leaders in their own
communities and careers. Through a one-day mentoring experience with
high school-age Girl Scouts, the event connects business and community
leaders with future leaders. This unique and inspiring mentoring
opportunity takes center stage as each Girl Scout shares her
experience with her Honoree at the event. Ticket and sponsorship
information are available at: http://gscm.info/DW2025
Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
📍 Location: Preston Hall
🕒 Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
About Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
For more
than 60 years, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland has provided
leadership development programs that empower girls to thrive.
Serving Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford,
and Howard counties, GSCM prepares today’s girls to be tomorrow’s
leaders. Learn more at www.gscm.org.