In episode 35 of Everything is Up, Tammera Hollerich welcomes Jessica McClain, the CFO of Girl Scouts Nations Capital. Jessica shares her background growing up in Washington, D.C., her love for hometown teams, and her journey from being a Girl Scout herself to now leading the organization. They highlight the essential role of finance professionals in various sectors and industries in Jessica’s previous career in public accounting and how she decided to pursue work that has a positive impact on society.
Tune in to hear an inspiring story of success and passion for empowering young girls.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:02:46] Transitioning into the Nonprofit Sector.
[00:06:26] Bucket List Travel Destinations.
[00:09:10] Girl Scouts' Bicentennial Flag Presentation.
[00:15:24] The Iconic Cookie Program.
[00:17:36] Selling Skills for Parents.
[00:23:45] Communication Skills in the Digital Age.
[00:27:21] CPAs Changing Perception of Accountants.
[00:34:15] Girl Scout Memories and Impact.
In this episode, Tammera Hollerich and Jessica McClain emphasize how finance professionals play a critical role in organizations and are necessary for making informed decisions. They stress that numbers do not lie and without the insights and analysis provided by finance professionals, business owners, leaders, and nonprofits cannot make strategic choices for their organizations. They also acknowledge the challenges faced by young girls in today's society, such as social pressure and social media, but believe that organizations like the Girl Scouts provide a safe and supportive environment for girls to be themselves without feeling the need to apologize.
Overall, this episode highlights the essential role of finance professionals in organizations, regardless of the sector or industry, as they provide valuable financial insights, analysis, and decision-making support. Hence, it underscores the importance of using the right form and method of communication in business to ensure effective and meaningful interactions, as well as the extraordinary influence that organizations have in shaping the lives of young girls.
QUOTES
"I am so excited that I've been able to see the impact that I have on the work that I do on a day-to-day basis and being able to give girls the courage and confidence and care that they need to be successful in their futures." - Jessica McClain
"They're intelligent, they have goals, they have dreams, ambitions, and they are not apologetic about it at all." - Jessica McClain
“Go find you a finance professional that knows your business, knows your organization, knows your sector.” - Tammera Hollerich
“... but when you are poised to do something in person and then all of a sudden it's like, pivoting and being able to do it virtually and still get the amount of knowledge and leadership out of it that you were able to get. That's impressive for the organization.” - Tammera Hollerich
"I see the nonprofit as a business, but with a different mission and purpose." - Jessica McClain
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Tammera Hollerich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirus3/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammerahollerich/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thollerich/
Jessica McClain
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-e-mcclain/
WEBSITES
Everything Is Up: https://everything-is-up.simplecast.com/
Tammera Hollerich: https://tammerahollerich.com/
Intro/Outro00:01 - 00:17
Welcome to everything is up a podcast about the real life stories of people who have created extraordinary levels of success These are conversations with people who are constantly striving to take things to the next level And now here's your host
Tammera Hollerich00:21 - 00:40
Good morning and welcome to everything is up with Tammera. I have got an incredibly special guest for us this morning. Joining me this morning is Jessica McClain out of the Washington DC branch of the Girl Scouts. Welcome and good morning, Jessica. How are you?
Jessica McClain00:40 - 00:47
Good morning. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I'm doing great. It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend.
Tammera Hollerich00:47 - 01:11
I am really stoked to have you here. So, This is kind of a really big honor for me to have you this morning. I know that you are the CFO for that particular branch. Talk to me a little bit, kind of who is Jessica? Let's share with the audience first. Who's Jessica McClain?
Jessica McClain01:12 - 02:23
Sure, absolutely. So I was born and raised here in the Washington, D.C. area. So I'm a big fan of all the hometown teams. Currently, as you mentioned, the CFO for Girl Scouts Nations Capital. I've been in the role for about two years, and it has been an honor to be in this role. I was a Girl Scout in this council. I have a daughter who is about a year away from joining Girl Scouts as well. And so I'm looking so forward to her journey within Girl Scouts. Prior to that, I spent about 10 years or so in public accounting as an auditor. And so I am a CPA and I love numbers and all of that through and through. I decided to make a change and wanted to do work that had a positive impact on society. And so when the opportunity to join Girl Scouts arose, I had to jump on it. And I am so excited that I've been able to see the impact that I have on the work that I do on a day-to-day basis and being able to give girls the courage and confidence and care that they need to be successful in their futures. Outside of work, I'm a wife and mother of two young children who keep me very, very busy. But I enjoy volunteering. I love traveling and reading. So I'm a pretty busy but fulfilled life.
Tammera Hollerich02:24 - 02:58
Yeah, so I kind of in my research kind of, you know, stalking you, of course, before the show today, I did like travel and the fact that you went from the public sector into the non-profit world. Was there a single incident that kind of led you to go, I just need to go do life's work or something along those lines? Yes, absolutely.
Jessica McClain02:58 - 03:51
I wanted to be a partner at an accounting firm. That was my goal. I went and got my master's degree in accounting and that's what I knew early on that I wanted to do. But that one change for me was becoming a mother. I ended up having to travel a lot and the hours and the work, it just became too much and I wasn't able to be present in my daughter's life like I wanted at an early age. So I decided to tell my husband I'm going to quit my job in public accounting and took about six months off to find that next opportunity. It took some time to find it, but I love the fact that I had that time with my daughter, that I can look back and say I was able to spend so much time with her early on and early on. She may not remember, but it's something that mommy will always remember. But knowing what I wanted to do next, again, I just wanted to have a positive impact on society. And that's how I knew the nonprofit sector was the next step for me.
Tammera Hollerich03:51 - 04:41
Yeah, and I think you chose the right area. So you and I were just kind of briefly talking before camera time and you and I have got so much in common. I was like, I mean, it was in like two minutes and all of a sudden I was like, this is my sister from another mother. I love it. Wow, I was like, okay, so the audience knows that I grew up as a military brat. My dad was in the Air Force for 26 years. You shared with me, you too actually grew up as an Air Force military brat. That's where my love for travel came from because of kind of moving all around. How about you?
Jessica McClain04:42 - 05:29
So I didn't travel as much. My parents are originally from Detroit and Mississippi. And so when they joined the Air Force, they became stationed here in the Washington, D.C. area. So that's how they met. So my dad did a lot of the traveling and we did stay more home locally. But as a young child, I spent some time in Hawaii when my father was stationed at Pearl Harbor. I don't have much of a memory of that time, but my parents definitely do. But my love for traveling came after when I met my husband. We've been together over 10 years and he grew up traveling and seeing the world and he opened my eyes to what the world has to offer. And so we have been to amazing places together and I look forward to my kids being a little bit older and being able to take them on these world excursions and experiences that we've been able to have so far.
Tammera Hollerich05:29 - 05:33
Okay, so your favorite place that you've been? Ooh, wow.
Jessica McClain05:33 - 05:53
There's not one favorite, but my most recent trip, my husband and I went to the Maldives a year ago for our wedding anniversary. And it was absolutely beautiful. Yeah, I've heard. I am just speechless of how beautiful it was when you could see dolphins jumping out of the water. It was relaxing. It was a great way to spend our anniversary together.
Tammera Hollerich05:53 - 06:00
That is awesome. Okay, so what's on the bucket list that you really want to go that's kind of the big one?
Jessica McClain06:01 - 06:26
Oh, if I had to pick one. Oh, it's so hard to pick one. One of the places we would love to go is South Africa. Yeah, that is definitely on our list. My husband is of Liberian descent. And so for us to get back to Africa would be great. But we have many other places that we want to go to, whether it's in the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Asia. I want to see the world before I leave this earth. I want to see it all.
Tammera Hollerich06:26 - 13:09
Yeah. So my bucket list place to go and it's not the easiest place to get to because it's controlled so much is to the Galapagos Islands to see that. You know, all of the animals that, you know, have never really had any interaction, well, very little, because they control the amount of population that goes out there. But I just think that, and I'm a huge animal lover, as everyone knows, I like have 40 chickens and two cats and six dogs and yeah, you name it, if it strays to my being, it just lives with me. So, but I think that like you said, there are so, I mean, there are places on this planet that probably have never even been explored, touched, or been to by a human because it is so vast. But some of the places that are there, I think Jerusalem would be another one that I think I really, to go to the Holy City. before I die, you know, and pay homage to where I really want to go in this life at some point, you know, and hope that they open those pearly gates for me. I always tell everybody I'm imperfect in this world, so I'm trying to make up for it. Okay, so we have the whole military thing in common, which I thought was really cool. We know you were a Girl Scout. What my audience doesn't know is that I too was a Girl Scout. And I was telling you that I really attribute a lot of my foundation to that. To that structure and to the, you know, the pledge to be my best and you know, so, um. I was kind of like teasing you a little bit about this project that had such an impact as a Girl Scout in my life. So this is really going to date me and age me guys, so no judging. But in 1976, it was the bicentennial for the country. My mother was an overachiever in this life and anybody who knew Connie knew that it was like go big or go home. So she decided that she was going to do something incredibly extraordinary with a couple of other troops. So she got these women that were leaders of a girl's, like the Girl Scouts, the Brownies, and I want to say there were four or five, and I would have to go back and look at the archives, but there were four or five troops. She decided, and she got special permission, we lived in Alaska, we were on Elmendorf Air Force Base at the time, and these troops were all base troops, like Girl Scout troops, and you know, If you're military, especially if you travel a lot, your military family becomes your family because your actual extended family, you don't get to see them every day. It's not like I grew up with my grandparents in my backyard, right? you had to go see grandma on summers when dad's asleep. I mean, that's kind of how it worked, right? Yes. So these women became my moms. I mean, to this day, one of those women, her name was Connie Tucker, She, her and my mom became almost like best friends to this day. And I am, oh, I'm gonna put it out there. I'm 56 years old. And Aunt Connie, when my mom died, she sat by my mom's bedside and helped me and my sister. And like, these are people that have been a part of my life for 50 plus years, really. So my mom goes, why don't we do something spectacular? Why don't we create these girls to be ambassadors for the base and put together this fantastic flag presentation of from the Betsy Ross flag to the 50 states flag with music and the girls will come and be the ambassadors. We got to meet President Ford and Mrs. Ford. Our uniforms that year were Betsy Ross gowns that had been approved by National to be these ambassadors and do all of these. We got called all over Alaska to do this flag presentation as Girl Scouts. Can you imagine the publicity for the Girl Scouts and for the base for all these little girls that are dressed in Betsy Ross gowns? The Brownies wore brown and orange. And the Girl Scouts actually wore the green and gold. I went digging for pictures because I was like, I can share my screen and I can show I could not I was gonna have to go to my dad's house and my dad's a little grumpy sometimes when you wake him up. So I thought, you know. that foundation and having that experience and have it be Girl Scouts, it did, you know, I think it was solid enough that it took me all the way to the Gold Award and the Rose Award, because I ended up, we ended up getting restation from Alaska to California. And so in California, they have the Rose Award. And so we, you know, I just kind of took it to that level. My mom was like, I can hear my mom right now, you're talking about me being an overachiever, you were the overachiever type of thing. But the impact, and that's the word you've used too, is you wanted to make an impact. The millions and millions of girls that this organization has made an impact in their lives. I can't tell them thank you enough, right? And I'm sure it's why it draw you to the organization too. Absolutely.
Jessica McClain13:09 - 13:38
Absolutely. You're right. It's the impact. It's the history. It's what we're teaching these young girls. I mean, these girls grow up to be leaders in all fields that we can think of. And the impact that we're able to have is extraordinary. I mean, I see some of the young girls now in our council and I am just blown away of just how fantastic they are. They're intelligent, they have goals, they have dreams, ambitions, and they are not apologetic about it at all.
Tammera Hollerich13:38 - 15:15
No, no. And I love that. You know, in a time of our existence that is really hard for them anyway, right? The social pressure, the social media, the, you know, this is really hard. And I sometimes think, I don't know if, you know, I didn't have any of that. Thank God. Thank God my life's not out there on display. Cause you know, I was never, I was not the perfect child either, but you know, their lives are a camera video away, no matter what they do. And that pressure I think is hard on our kids. I think that having an organization that they feel safe, they feel right, that they don't have to apologize. They can be who they are and know that they have the history and the support of that historic organization. What you guys are doing, you know, just up there around the country is I was, like I said, honored to have you today. You know, and the, I mean, I cannot even imagine being the CFO for the Girl Scouts during cookie season. I think my brain would go like explode because, I mean, the volume that you guys do of cookies
Jessica McClain15:19 - 16:08
I think it's fun. I love it. I get to see Girl Scouts selling cookies in front of stores. I mean, our Girl Scouts are amazing. I mean, last year they sold 4.4 million packages of cookies. I am just blown away. by the dedication and hard work. We have a huge support system in our volunteers. They're the ones that really make it happen in providing the programming and the support for our Girl Scouts. And so I have to give a shout out to them and all that they do to support our Girl Scouts. But that iconic cookie program, when I learned the history about it and how the Girl Scouts used to actually make the cookies themselves, to be able to fund what they're doing. And our Girl Scouts use those funds. They're using it to give back to their communities. They're using it to have once in a lifetime experiences. And those memories that we're able to give our Girl Scouts, amazing. It is absolutely amazing.
Tammera Hollerich16:08 - 18:47
Well, you know, the other thing I would say too is, you know, everything is bought and sold in this world. And as a, you know, young, nobody likes to do sales. I mean, it's not like we strive and wake up and go, I think I want to be in sales this year. When I grow up and be, you know, a big girl, I want to be in sales. Nobody does that. And yet the entire economy revolves around capitalism, right? So it's sales, you've got to have sales. So to teach them that there's a positive way to, you know, help and provide joy. And I mean, come on, what cookies don't provide joy to our communities? Right. My, my, my absolute favorite peanut butter patties. Like I just put it out there. But it's also helping them understand capitalism. at the same time, which is going to do nothing but take them far in life, you know, to not be afraid to do sales. Because I, I think that, you know, there's that fear factor of who I don't, I can't sell that. Like, I cannot tell you how many times in hiring employees, they're just like, ah, that's, I don't, I'm like, we all do that. Like, especially if you have kids, honey, you are a salesman, like at the highest level. Every single day, you have got to sell those little people on getting us go to school. Like, I need you to eat. Like, these things are really good for you. Like, I mean, we're all in sales. So that I think really was another thing when I, you know, when I think back on, you know, what did I learn? It's the value that came out of it, right? It makes such a difference. All right, so Jessica, you are extremely accomplished. You know, you basically, you slightly mentioned, you know, you have your master's degree, but you also, graduated from a very highly competitive leadership academy, the AICPA. So what is that organization? And talk to me about that prestige that goes along with graduating from the AICPA.
Jessica McClain18:48 - 19:48
Sure, the AICPA, the American Institute of CPAs, they started a leadership program, I think it was like 2009, to recognize and bring and provide leadership skills to young professionals within the accounting profession. And so it's a small group across the country that are selected annually around 30 to 35. Wow. They get to attend this amazing course. You're spending time with leadership coaches, executive coaches, learning how to grow your leadership skills, learning how to grow the profession as well. And so I was part of the 2020 class and it was amazing. You get to meet amazing other accounting professionals across the country. I had one-on-one time with an executive coach that I still have materials for and look back to from time to time from three years ago because it was that impactful. And it's been able to allow me to network, open other doors for other opportunities as well. And so I highly recommend to any young professional within the accounting profession that has a CPA to apply for this program. It is definitely life-changing.
Tammera Hollerich19:48 - 20:37
So 2020, COVID. Yes. How did I mean. When somebody says 2020 to me, I'm like, oh Lord, what you were doing was challenging enough to be accepted to this elite program and then to have it be during COVID of all the times. And still you talk about the ability, the networking, the coach. Okay, so how did you guys pivot in the middle of COVID in that high of a level program and go from like, oh lord, how are we going to accomplish it? How did that pivot happen?
Jessica McClain20:37 - 21:15
And so I have to give a shout out to the AICPA staff that put that program together because you're right, it's normally with an in-person leadership course and they quickly pivoted into provide that online opportunity. I still got an experience of meeting my fellow classmates, meeting with the leaders that were teaching the course, meeting with our executive coaches. I have to applaud them for them being able to pivot and provide a great experience. I've still met some of my classmates in person at other AICPA conferences, connected with them on LinkedIn. In our own way, we were still able to build connections and relationships, but shout out to them for being able to pivot and provide that great experience for us in 2020.
Tammera Hollerich21:16 - 23:44
Yeah, that's amazing. I will say this, before 2020, we had podcasts, but they weren't to the level and to the extent, the professionalism that we're even able to put podcasts together. Now, I have to say, If there's one, and I've said this before because I'm still on the fence about how much good came out of COVID as a whole, but I would literally have to say that the one thing that came amazingly, personally and professionally, for families that I'm thinking about, you know, growing up as a military family and not being able to talk to my grandmother face-to-face when we were overseas, like what can happen now with FaceTime and Zoom and GoTo, you know, and, you know, all of these other technologies that have existed for 25 years or so. maybe that we didn't know how to use them. But I mean, COVID made us come into the 21st century using the technology and electronics that have been here that we were either afraid or just pushing back. I think a lot of it is, you know, that's not how we do it. We do it in person. And so I think having the technology, then I think it was a detriment because then I think everybody tries to do everything on Zoom. And then you miss now, I think a lot of companies are pulling people back to the office so that there's camaraderie and you've got the connections and you can talk to people face-to-face because now I worry about our children. not having this skill set, right, to be able to communicate looking someone in the eye. Some of these 20-year-olds, young 20-year-olds, I will go, hi, are you there? Look at me. They don't look at you and talk to you and look at you. So now I think we're gonna have to, as a society, figure out how to have the best of both.
Jessica McClain23:45 - 24:21
I completely agree. It's understanding the right form and method of communication. I see it with some of our young staff and think everything should be an IM message or everything should be in a chat or an email. And no, sometimes it's picking up a phone. Sometimes it's a Zoom call. And sometimes it's in person, depending on the subject matter that needs to be discussed. And being able to understand and differentiate between when you need to use which form of method of communication. It's very important that, yes, we have the technology and should we be using it? Absolutely. But in the right way, at the right time, with the right topic and situation.
Tammera Hollerich24:21 - 26:16
Yeah, that is going to be the next challenge. I think a lot of business leaders are going to have to figure out how to dissimilate that downstream so that their organizations learn to grow using both of you know both I see both you know in person and virtual but I do think you know. there's so many virtual options too, right? It could be a phone call, it could be an email, it could be a face-to-face Zoom, you know, whatever that looks like. So, that's exciting that, you know, you guys were, honestly, everybody pivoted, but when you are poised to do something in person and then all of a sudden it's like, pivoting and being able to do it virtually and still get the amount of knowledge and leadership out of it that you were able to get. That's impressive for the organization. My youngest brother, so there's four of us, and my youngest brother who's 10 years younger than I am, I firsthand know how difficult it is to get your CPA license. My youngest brother is he's got his master's and is a CPA. And I remember as a family supporting him through those four exams. I mean, to the point of when he got when he passed one section, he went and got a tattoo of a star like he was He, Tony is, you know, he is an amazing, amazing man. And I cannot speak more highly of my youngest brother, but what that, it's not one exam to pass it. You guys have four.
Jessica McClain26:17 - 26:26
Yes, it's changed over time where you said to take all 4 parts at once and now you can take 4 parts individually, but it's right. It's 4 exams on 4 different topics.
Tammera Hollerich26:26 - 27:22
Yes. And they're not little exams. These are like, in depth. So, when somebody's audience guys listening here. When you meet someone who is a CPA, I always congratulate them because the amount of work, congratulations, that goes into studying and then the pressure of, you know, an exam on it, that one of those four, I mean, in sane. This is why I take all my books and hand them to a CPA. I'm like, you can figure these out, please. Because like that, I, I mean, I can do numbers, but I, my brother has the personality like you very outgoing. And I'm like, CPAs I know are just like, numbers like they get it. No, no, no.
Jessica McClain27:22 - 27:40
No, you guys are really, yes, boss brands. We're awesome. We're full of personality and we're trying to change that perception that people have of accountants and CPAs, that we have lives, we have hobbies, we do great things, we're everywhere. You are. Yes, we are. Yes, we are.
Tammera Hollerich27:40 - 28:53
amazing personalities and even the CPA that I have, my brother works corporate and so of course I have a CPA and she is amazing and it's like, hey Terry Holt, and it's just What you guys do for the community, for organizations, is absolutely, one, absolute and a necessity because organizations cannot work without knowing where they're at. And as I tell my staff all the time, the numbers do not lie. I cannot tell you how many times I hear that from CPA. Numbers do not lie. I'm like, oh, I know, but what if we did that? Numbers do not lie. I'm like, ugh. Okay, so we have to do something different. She was like, yeah, that was my point. Okay, so but without that information, business owners, leaders, nonprofits can't make decisions where to take the organization. So you guys are such a critical piece. of any organization because they can't really do much without knowing where they are. You should be a spokesperson for us.
Jessica McClain28:53 - 29:29
You should come be a spokesperson for us because you have said that so eloquently and with so much passion and the understanding of the role that we play in any business, in any industry, any sector. We speak the language of business. Yeah, you do. And I share that with young people that are looking at our profession and getting them to understand, I don't care if you want to work for your favorite sports team, we're there. You want to work at the hospital you were born at, you're there. You love the entertainment industry, we're there. We're everywhere. And so I appreciate you understanding that and sharing that story for us.
Tammera Hollerich29:29 - 30:13
It's huge. I don't even know how I get the opportunity to talk to, you know, finance professionals on a regular basis and I. it doesn't even matter where it's like, they have to be there. And if you're trying to do it without one, just stop. Like, just stop. Go find you a finance professional that knows your business, knows your organization, knows your sector. That was really why I asked the question, what made you jump from the private sector into nonprofit? Because they really kind of are the same, but really with different missions.
Jessica McClain30:13 - 31:04
Absolutely. And I love that you said that. I see the nonprofit as a business, but with a different mission and purpose. Absolutely. And I wanted to make the transition again. I have a passion for the accounting profession. I love the work that I did in public accounting. I learned a lot. I met many great people, intelligent, passionate people that I still have relationships with to this day. Right. But again, I just wanted to do something where I could see the impact and that positivity that it comes from the work that I do on a day to day basis. I visit Girl Scout camps and I get to see our Girl Scouts, you know, climbing rock walls and going on hiking trips. I get to visit them when they're selling cookies in front of stores. I see them when they're buying their uniforms at our retail shops. And so for me, it was able to take the skill set that I that I have, but enjoy it, but enjoy work that I'm doing with it at the same time.
Tammera Hollerich31:04 - 31:39
Yeah, the passion, the fact that you were a Girl Scout and you got young, you've got, so you have two children, you have a daughter, right? Yes. Two girls or just one? A boy and a girl. So my oldest is my daughter. Oh, look, you got the best of one of each right off the bat. So that's awesome. So you have a daughter that, you know, but when you and I were talking pre-camera, you had said she's like a year away from being able to be a Girl Scout that, you know, That is when you don't go to work every day, you just do what you love.
Jessica McClain31:39 - 32:08
Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And I'll never forget a conversation I had with my CEO at one point, and she asked us in a meeting, what has been like your number one thing that you've enjoyed about Girl Scouts and the story you want to tell? And I told her, I said, I haven't had mine yet. I said, I feel like when my daughter joins Girl Scouts, that will be it. And so we are counting down to when I can sign her up. And I'm so excited for her journey and what she's going to learn and the memories and the experiences that she's going to have.
Tammera Hollerich32:09 - 36:32
Spoken like a true mom, like that is just a mom. Some of my fondest memories of my mom are with us at day camps with Girl Scouts or overnight weekend trips with the Girl Scouts. the things that it was like, we can do this with the Girl Scout troop, and we can do this with the Girl Scout troop. And my lifelong friends, my friends that I've had for 50 years, were those friends. And it's really interesting, you know, in the military, as a military brat, we moved around a lot. So, you know, moving around, You know who they are, right? And we have to go back many years here. So before the Internet and before social media, you had to sit down and write or you had to call somebody. And that just sometimes this didn't happen because your life just moved on a different direction. Since social media has come around probably in the last 15 years. I, the other day, well, maybe about 6 months ago, the other day, 6 months ago, I got a through Facebook, a picture. a picture of me with like two or three other girls at Girl Scouts sitting in a library. I had to be about eight. And she said, are you this Tammera Hollerich? And I said, Oh my Lord. that we were in the library at the base in Alaska and yes that's me and yes that's my sister and she said I was hoping it was you. I don't know if you remember me or not. And of course, I remember the name, but you know, you don't kind of put two and two together. I was eight. But it was the Girl Scout experience, right? That again, and my fondest memories are and things that are coming back now with social media of Wow, 50 years ago, I was like, Wow. Wow. You know, and then, you know, being able to do it with my mom. And now that she's gone, those are treasured memories. So I can't wait for you to have that experience. because I know how much it meant to me and does now, you know, as an adult and, you know, as someone that has those treasured memories. Okay, so you were also 2022 Washington Business Journal's 40 Under 40 honoree. Yes. Amazing. I'm so proud of you. 2022's NABADC Chapter of Outstanding Accounting Leaders of the Year in 2022. The Maryland Association of CPA's 2021 Women to Watch Emerging Leader. This is why she's on our podcast, ladies and gentlemen. Because Jessica McLean is an amazing woman, and I am excited that you took some time to join us this morning and, you know, have a conversation with us. I kind of want to play a little game. Are you up for a little game before we call it a day? Why not? Why not? Okay, so as you guys know, we've been doing Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? I'm probably going to get a phone call from Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader going, what are you doing, Tammera? But we're going to do Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. And we are talking about a very smart woman here. So I'm going to see if I can trump her. Probably won't. But here we go. Okay. Who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA? And do you know what year it was established? Julia Gordon Lowe, 1912. 1912, and ding, ding, ding, she wins. Yay, okay. So what is the Girl Scout promise? Do you know it? Yes.
Jessica McClain36:32 - 36:40
Okay. In my honor, I will try to serve God in my country, to help people at all times, and live by the Girl Scout law.
Tammera Hollerich36:40 - 37:04
Yay, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. While you're saying it, I'm like, I know this. And if you guys can see us and you're not listening, but you're watching us, we are holding up our fingers with the Girl Scout fudge. Okay, so as you guys all laugh at us. Okay, so can you name some of the different levels of the age groups for the Girl Scouts and what kind of their corresponding grade levels are?
Jessica McClain37:04 - 37:19
Oh gosh, okay. Hold on. There's daisies, there's brownies, you have your juniors, your cadets, your ambassadors, and your seniors. And again, it goes from the kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade.
Tammera Hollerich37:19 - 37:37
Yes, yes, yes, yes. Yay, ding, ding, ding. She wins because she got all of them. I was kind of hoping I'd trump you missing one of them, but you did not miss one. You are fabulous. Okay, so what is the annual program that involves selling cookies and what's the actual purpose of it?
Jessica McClain37:39 - 38:04
So we have our annual Girl Scout cookie program. And so Girl Scout councils provide cookies. And this is how our Girl Scouts are able to earn money and to be able to use it for different projects, for trips, for doing work in their great community. It's a way for our girls to learn goal setting skills. They learn time management and money skills. They learn communication skills, as we talked about earlier. And this is why Girl Scouts become fabulous leaders later on in their life.
Tammera Hollerich38:07 - 38:25
Jessica wins. Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Thank you so much, Jessica, for joining us. Again, this is Jessica McLean with the National DC organization for the Girl Scouts. Again, thank you. It was very much an honor for you to join me this morning.
Jessica McClain38:25 - 38:29
Oh, I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you so much and allow me to share my story.
Tammera Hollerich38:30 - 38:50
Absolutely. Have a great weekend. Thanks, Jessica. Take care. All right. Bye, everybody. This is Tammera with Everything is Up. Make sure you like and share. You can reach Jessica on LinkedIn. Please reach out to her and make any correspondences that you need to make with her. Again, thanks, Jessica. Have a great day. Thank you.
Intro/Outro38:51 - 39:04
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