What's online?
All of Frances Hesselbein's speeches are scanned and online.
What's in the entire collection?
Frances Hesselbein was a leader in the world of leadership and nonprofit management, having served as the National Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for nearly fifteen years. She was the Chairman of The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership, and served as the President and CEO for the organization's previous iterations. The collection consists of business materials from her organization, such as meeting minutes and conference planning information, as well as the different publications produced by the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, the Leader to Leader Institute, and the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute. The personal materials in the collection include event information, correspondence, as well as materials dealing with the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. There are paper records, as well as video cassettes, audio tapes, photographic images, and CD-ROMs included in the collection.
About Frances Hesselbein
Frances Hesselbein (née Richards) was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1915, the oldest of three children. Her education includes classes at the University of Pittsburgh's Johnstown Campus, though after her father died she left school and supported her family. She married John D. Hesselbein, an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh, who worked for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat and later opened his own documentary-filmmaking and photography studio. While assisting her husband at the studio and raising their son, John, Hesselbein was approached by a local group of women with the request to take over the leadership of a local Girl Scout troop. Despite not having a girl in the troop herself, Hesselbein agreed and took charge since the troop would be disbanded without a leader. She stayed with that group of girls until they graduated high school. Later, she was asked to take on the role of Talus Rock Council Executive Director in Johnstown, which she accepted. Following a successful period in this position, she was invited to apply for the position of National Executive Director (CEO) of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She served in that role from 1976-1990 as the first woman to be appointed to that position from within the organization.
During her time with the Girl Scouts, Hesselbein helped to transform the organization. She had the uniform redesigned as well as the logo, worked to increase minority representation, and also helped create the Daisy program for 6-year-old girls. Membership in the Girl Scouts increased greatly under Hesselbein's leadership as well, reaching up to 2.25 million girls in all. Hesselbein also implemented her leadership strategy of "Banning the Hierarchy", incorporating the idea of "Circular Management." This strategy, among others, would follow Hesselbein when she retired from the Girl Scouts.
After leaving the Girl Scouts in 1990, Hesselbein was invited to work on a new project. Her friend Peter Drucker, often called "The Father of Modern Management" for his business expertise, was to be honored by a new nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting leadership and management skills and tools, which would eventually be called the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. Hesselbein led the organization through the 1990s in different roles. In 2003, the organization was renamed the Leader to Leader Institute though the mission of the institute remained the same. In 2012, it would become the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute, which Hesselbein led as President and CEO. In 2017, Hesselbein partnered with the University of Pittsburgh, who acquired the organization, which was renamed The Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum. The Hesselbein Forum resides in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership.
Hesselbein served as the Chairman of the Hesselbein Forum, as well as the editor-in-chief of the Leader to Leader Journal.
Hesselbein was very active in various nonprofit organizations in addition to her work at the Hesselbein Forum. She worked with retired members of the military to promote the Generals in Transition and the Investment in America programs. She served on the boards of nonprofits and corporations, including the Bright China Social Fund and Mutual of America Life Insurance Company. In 2009, working with her alma mater, Hesselbein helped establish the Frances Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at the University of Pittsburgh, inviting students around the world to participate in sessions focused on creating the leaders of tomorrow.
Frances Hesselbein received numerous awards, including 22 honorary degrees. In 1998 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton, as "a pioneer for women, diversity, and opportunity." She also served as the West Point Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership, a two-year appointment. Hesselbein was the first woman and the first non-graduate to hold this position. Hesselbein was also named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania.
Frances Hesselbein died at the age of 107 on December 11, 2022 in Easton, Pennsylvania.
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