Girl Scouts of Connecticut Award 2009 Breakfast Badge

December 8, 2009

Girl Scouts of Connecticut Award

2009 Breakfast Badge

December 8, 2009- On Friday, December 4, 2009 prominent businesswoman Gwendolyn Smith Iloani became a member of an exclusive club. Ms. Iloani was awarded Girl Scouts of Connecticut's 2009 Breakfast Badge Award during a ceremonial breakfast at The Hartford Club. Nearly 250 friends and supporters were on hand to acknowledge the inspiring community leadership of Ms. Iloani, while supporting Girl Scouting's personal and leadership development programs for young women. This year's Breakfast Badge event raised nearly $49,000 to help fund Girl Scouts of Connecticut's educational, recreational, and personal development programs that help girls in grades K - 12 bring out the best in themselves and their communities.

As Girl Scouts of Connecticut's Breakfast Badge honoree, Ms. Iloani was presented with a personalized Girl Scout badge designed specifically with her significant business and community related accomplishments in mind. "We are thrilled to have Gwendolyn Smith Iloani as our 2009 Breakfast Badge Honoree," said Jennifer Smith Turner, CEO, Girl Scouts of Connecticut. "Her high standards and recognizable accomplishments make her a great role model for Girl Scouts across Connecticut."

Ms. Iloani also received a congratulatory citation from Governor M. Jodi Rell as well as one from State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut is known and respected for helping girls develop uncommon leadership skills that serve the common good. As a prominent and well respected businesswoman in the community, Ms. Iloani displays exemplary leadership in her professional and everyday life. Ms. Iloani is President and CEO of Smith Whiley & Co., a privately owed investment firm headquartered in Hartford. She is the Chair of the firm's Investment Committee and has almost 30 years of investment experience. She serves on numerous company boards and has a long history of civic involvement through her active associations with a variety of community organizations. Additionally, Ms. Iloani has received community service and business leadership awards from both the Hartford and New York City communities.

There are nearly 45,000 Girl Scouts in Connecticut and it costs approximately $250 per girl per year for Girl Scouts of Connecticut to provide programs, resources, adult trainings, supplies, publications, insurance, facilities, and outdoor program centers for each and every member. Proceeds from this year's Breakfast Badge will help support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience which offers girls the lifetime skills they need to discover their personal best; connect with others to build healthy relationships; and take action in their communities to make the world a better place.

Sponsors of the Breakfast Badge include:

Gold Sponsor

QSP & Ashdon Farms

Silver Sponsor

ConnectiCare

Crazy Bruce's Liquors

Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company

Lockton Companies, LLC

Bronze Sponsor

Francisco Borges

Shipman & Goodwin

Smith Whiley and Company