Little Things, Big Impact: Leanna Clark and Meg Nichols on Confidence and Girl-Led Change

Christy Belz sits down with Leanna Clark — former CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado — and Meg Nichols — Denver School of the Arts vocal student and patient ambassador at Children’s Hospital Colorado — for a story about confidence, mentorship, and second chances. After nearly seven years of Leanna leading the organization, Meg turns the tables and interviews her, and together they trace how a single patch, years of showing up, and a girl-led movement reshaped them both.

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Key Takeaways 

  • More Than Cookies: Leanna and Meg push back on the stereotype that Girl Scouts is just about selling cookies, pointing to girl-led decision-making, backcountry trips, and real-world skills like negotiation and money management. 
  • What No Boardroom Could Teach Her: Leanna says the girls taught her empathy and the power of “drive-by coaching” — quick, meaningful moments of connection that no corporate environment could replicate. 
  • A Recession Closed One Door, Opened Another: Leanna traces her path from shutting down her 35-person marketing agency during the 2008 recession to philanthropic travel work, higher education, and ultimately Girl Scouts. 
  • Confidence Is a Muscle: Leanna’s core message to girls is to stop making themselves small — the more they raise their hand, speak up, and take risks, the stronger their confidence becomes over time. 
  • The Amp Access Fund: Leanna is closing her tenure by launching a fund to remove financial barriers — membership dues, uniforms, camp fees — so more girls can access the full Girl Scout experience.

Connect with Girl Scouts of Colorado: 

Website: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/ 

Connect with Christy Belz: 

Website: https://christybelz.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybelz/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christybelzcoach/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBelzCoach/ 

UPROOT Course: https://christybelz.com/uproot/ 

Book: https://christybelz.com/influencer/ 

The Brick & The Sponge: https://a.co/d/0acCxcX5 

The Brick & The Spong- Friendships, Feelings, and Finding Your Voice: https://a.co/d/0amPIULN