Women of the Year – Kim Ross, Girl Scouts of Silver Sage

By Heide Brandes

In her current role as Senior Manager of Girl Entrepreneurship, Kim ross manages the entire Girl Scout Cookie Program for Girl Scouts throughout all of Southern Idaho. She trains and mentors 1,500 adult volunteers, ensuring the program’s success as well as imparting essential entrepreneurial skills to 3,300 girls.

Her responsibilities include creating materials, collaborating with media personalities for publicity, securing partnerships with businesses for Cookie Booth spots and managing vendor relationships. Her innovative approach led to the creation of “Operation Cookie,” a donation program that distributed over 300 cases of cookies to veterans and current military members this year.
Under Ross’s guidance, the product sale programs at Girl Scouts of Silver Sage have consistently seen increased revenue, with each program surpassing the last. She co-led the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Racial Justice (DEI-RJ) efforts for the council and successfully negotiated a critical multi-million-dollar contract.

“Kim’s expertise is sought after by other Girl Scout Councils and staff nationwide, whom she mentors on achieving Cookie Program success,” said Erica Salmans of The Masonry Center.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ross is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of women leaders. Her mentorship has empowered many young female professionals, instilling in them the confidence and skills necessary to excel in the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program —a program that teaches the Five Skills of Entrepreneurship: People skills, decision making, money management, goal setting and business.

Her community involvement is equally impressive. She serves on the City of Eagle Arts Advisory Committee, where she plays a crucial role in promoting the arts within the community.

Additionally, she developed the Hearts for Seniors program, which brought joy to over 300 seniors in 2024 through hand-decorated valentines.

“Her compassion and creativity have had a significant impact on the well-being of our senior citizens,” Salmans said.

Ross also volunteers with Animals in Distress, where she works to rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned baby mammals. Her dedication extends to mentoring new rehabilitators, ensuring that more individuals are equipped with the skills needed to care for these vulnerable animals. Furthermore, she educates Idaho youth about animals through hands-on experiences, fostering a deep appreciation for wildlife and conservation among the next generation.

Ross’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a minor in history from Florida International University and an MBA with a concentration in information systems from Nova Southeastern University.

Her professional journey includes significant roles in technology and marketing. She worked as an internet marketing and development manager for Alamo Rent A Car and The Learning Company, and later as internet marketing director and marketing director for J.R. Simplot Company.

Her accomplishments have earned her several awards, including the Florida International University Arts & Sciences Student of the Year in 1992 and the Silver Knight Award in Broward County, Florida, in 1989.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ross is an accomplished paper crafter with 182 pieces of her artwork published in magazines. Her work has been exhibited in art museums and she has designed projects for 13 companies.