Worcester Business Journal

O U T S T A N D I N G W O M E N F O C U S I N B U S I N E S S BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Special to WBJ I n the late 1970s, Carole Steen, who had an undergraduate degree in chemistry, began working for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York., even- tually becoming a quality as- surance chemist. She relocated to Michigan, then Massachusetts – still working for Eastman Kodak – having gotten married and with plans to build a family. But the complexities of juggling a family and work were as difficult to navigate as they are now, and things haven't changed much, she said: She had trouble finding child care, so she took a nine-year hiatus, having three sons over six years. Aer some time, she pursued a mas- ter's degree in accounting from Bentley University in Waltham. In 1999, her daughter Emily was born. Steen was hired by a public account- ing firm in Worcester and got her first exposure to the nonprofit industry and to the local chapter of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. "e Girl Scouts was a customer of ours," said Steen. "So, I participated in an audit with their audit manager. I was fascinated with how committed their staff and volunteers were to the organi- zation, even as auditors." When Steen learned that a controller at the nonprofit was leaving a position in 2000, she knew she had to apply. She got the job, and on the horizon was a very large project. Steen herself had never had the op- portunity to be a Girl Scout. But she was happy her daughter could take advan- tage of all the opportunities the group's programming had to offer. "Emily was a Girl Scout," Steen said proudly. "And we did everything: field trips, singalongs, overnight camping. I laugh because that was more roughing it than I had ever done in my life." Steen now serves as the Girl Scouts council's chief financial officer. A stunning accomplishment was her work guiding the council through a merger. Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts was formed in 2008, aer a merger of Girl Scouts of Montachusett Council, Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley, and Girl Scouts of Western Massachu- setts. e transaction involved combin- ing three budgets, three office proper- ties, and numerous camp properties. Steen was the perfect woman for the job, said Pattie Hallberg, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts. "Carole has a really deep knowledge of financial systems and best practices for nonprofits. She can explain to our board – or to anyone who needs to know – what a given number is and what it means better than anyone I've ever worked with," she said. Steen received recognition for her work during the COVID pandemic in securing federal Paycheck Protection Program loans for the council, keeping 37 full-time staffers employed. Steen is busy at the Girl Scout council offices, but doesn't like to be idle. She knows there are things in society that need to be changed, and she jumps in to help. She has served on the Southbridge Scholarship Com- mittee and partici- pated in mentoring events at Girls, Inc. of Worcester. "I am not one to sit around twid- dling my thumbs and complain. I try to be active," she said. "I had the oppor- tunity to mentor young girls at Girls Inc., where we go directly to girls, providing infor- mation, and that opportunity allows me to take a break from my day-to-day activity, socialize, and educate." A cause import- ant to Steen is racial justice. Bias exists in our communi- ties, and part of mentoring young girls is preparing them on what to ex- pect, she said, and giving them the confidence and charac- ter to face these challenges head on. Steen guided a nonprofit through a milestone merger Carole Steen CFO Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts Inc., in Worcester Residence: Worcester Education: Bachelor's degree from Hampton University, master's degree from Bentley University What are the keys to success for women in the workplace? Most of us are juggling families (kids and parents) and household duties, which stretch us to our limits. At work, lifting together by being kind will help us all get it all done, and done well. Take time for yourself to fill your well, to have something available to share with others. What is the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? College debt was a major obstacle, as I pursued both my degrees. Like most people who know they are capable, the fact that generational wealth did not come your way was not a reason to forego dreams to live a productive life. Who inspires you? My mother was my early inspiration. There was nothing wishy-washy about her. She gave me a strong moral core and showed me what perseverance could do. My mother encouraged me to go as far as possible. wbjournal.com | October 17, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 15 W PHOTO | MATTHEW WRIGHT

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