PROFILE
By Glenda Graves | Portrait photo by Keith Branch
Mary Grace Herrington
Leading the Way for a New Generation of Girl Scouts
For Mary Grace Herrington, leadership has never been about climbing the ladder; it’s about making an impact where it matters most. And now, as the president and CEO of Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, she’s channeling decades of nonprofit leadership and a lifelong Girl Scout identity into a role that feels more like a calling than a job.
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“It really does feel like coming home,” she said. “This organization helped shape who I am, and now, I get to give back to it in such a meaningful way — right here in my home state.”
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Mary Grace’s story began in Little Rock. “We had a full house, three sisters and one-and-a-half bathrooms, so I learned to share early!” she said, laughing.
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Her childhood was rich in faith and service. “We were very active in the Methodist church,” she said. “I sang in the youth choir, went on mission trips and volunteered regularly. I also served as a junior counselor at Camp Aldersgate, which had a huge impact on me.”
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It wasn’t long before Mary Grace developed an appetite for responsibility and a sense of independence. By her early teens, she was working nearly full time between school years — starting as a babysitter, then joining the team at Minute Man Hamburgers and later working retail at Dillard’s. “I’ve always been a worker,” she said. “I’ve always felt that purpose comes from action.”
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A defining moment came when she decided to earn a Girl Scout badge by volunteering on a political campaign. “I worked on Congressman Ed Bethune’s campaign, and I absolutely loved it — the fast pace, the energy, the sense of urgency,” Mary Grace said. “They even offered me a job in D.C., but I declined, given competing priorities at home.”
Still, that early connection would prove critical a few years later. When a paperwork issue with her Pell Grant federal financial aid nearly delayed her college enrollment, she was thankful to have made those connections. “My mother reached out to our congressional offices, and they stepped in to help,” she said. “It was a powerful early lesson in how relationships and kindness can influence outcomes.”
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Mary Grace went on to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film, along with double minors in theater and dance. Her schedule was intense. “I took 7 a.m. classes so I could leave time for rehearsals in the afternoon,” she said. “I worked evenings teaching dance to young children and performed in professional theater productions around the city.”
The experience was, without a doubt, formative. “Professors like Margaret Carner and Clifford Haislip taught me how to speak with confidence and how to command attention,” Mary Grace said. “Those skills stayed with me. They show up in the boardroom. They show up when I’m addressing hundreds of volunteers. They show up every time I speak on behalf of this organization.”
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In her 40s, after years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, she returned to school to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. “That program deepened my understanding of financials, strategic planning and stakeholder management,” she said. “But at the heart of everything I do is clear communication, with empathy and intention.”
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Over the years, Mary Grace has served in top leadership roles in higher education, public media and the arts. “I’ve always gravitated toward mission-driven work, toward organizations that matter in people’s lives,” she said. “But even with all those rewarding experiences, I still felt like something was missing.”
Mary Grace Herrington with Girl Scout Cadettes at a cookie booth in Rogers
Mary Grace Herrington and her husband, Rick Clark, spelunking in the Adirondack Mountains
That “something” was Girl Scouts. As a child, she started as a Brownie Girl Scout with her mother, Bonnie, as her troop leader. She continued through Juniors and Cadettes, under the mentorship of longtime leader Nancy Pratt, eventually earning the First Class Award, now known as the Girl Scout Gold Award. “We sold cookies, camped and traveled across 15 states as a troop,” Mary Grace said. “Those years taught me about perseverance and teamwork — all the things I now see our Girl Scouts learning.”
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As an adult, Mary Grace stayed connected, becoming a Lifetime Member and even serving on the board of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. So, when the opportunity to lead Girl Scouts – Diamonds presented itself, everything clicked. “It was the first time I felt like this is exactly where I’m meant to be,” she said.
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She assumed the president and CEO role at a pivotal time, one marked by the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic recovery, declining youth participation nationwide and shifting needs among families and volunteers. “We’re rebuilding — membership, financial stability and visibility,” she said. “It’s a big job, but it’s exciting. I inherited a strong foundation thanks to steady leadership, and now, we’re focused on thoughtful growth.”
Mary Grace is especially proud of efforts to expand access and inclusivity across the council’s wide footprint. “We’re working with Head Start programs, rebuilding our school partnerships and launching non-traditional troops in underserved areas,” she said. “That’s all part of our strategic plan and Girl Scouts of the USA’s Vision 2030.”
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The values of Girl Scouts, Mary Grace said, naturally align with the spirit of the Northwest Arkansas area she calls home. “Arkansas is ‘The Natural State,’ and that’s such a beautiful fit with what we do,” she said. “From biking in Northwest Arkansas to exploring national forests and state parks, the sense of adventure and stewardship is baked in.”
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For Mary Grace, the top priorities are clear: “Grow the membership. Engage alumni to diversify revenue. Balance the budget.” But she also sees the bigger picture, one that’s constantly evolving to meet Girl Scouts where they are.
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“The mission hasn’t changed, but our methods must,” she said. “Girl Scouts today need leadership experiences that are collaborative and foster connection and belonging. That’s what we aim to provide.”
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She’s especially passionate about removing barriers to participation. “Whether that’s creating a financial aid endowment, introducing mobile STEAM labs or offering new programming — access is everything,” Mary Grace said.
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When asked about her leadership inspirations, Mary Grace doesn’t hesitate. “Hillary Rodham Clinton, who actually spoke at my Gold Award ceremony,” she said. “My mother, who modeled fearless problem-solving. And JP Piercy, a former senior vice president I worked under, who showed me that women can lead with strength and grace.”
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To young women looking to lead, she offers this advice: “Observe and learn from different leadership styles. Leadership is a practice. And read the biographies of women who have changed the world — Eleanor Roosevelt, Katharine Graham, Jacinda Ardern. Their stories will stay with you.”
Outside of work, nature is Mary Grace’s refuge. “Getting outdoors is my therapy,” she said. “I love camping with my sisters, especially on wilderness properties like Cumberland Island. My husband and I are also big fans of eco-travel. We’ve hiked rainforests in Dominica, walked the Cotswold Way in England and explored the Adirondacks. Nature is where I reconnect with myself.”
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She and her husband, Rick Clark, have been married nearly 15 years and live in Bentonville. Together, they have a blended family, with four adult children across three time zones.
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Ultimately, Mary Grace sees her role in Girl Scouts as steward and champion. “I want to make sure Girl Scouts is here — and thriving — for generations to come because I know what this organization did for me,” she said. “And I see every day what it continues to do for Girl Scouts across our region.”
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In Mary Grace Herrington’s hands, the mission of Girl Scouts – Diamonds is not just preserved, it’s propelled forward with clarity and a contagious passion.