Famous Formers

The Girl Scout Famous Formers celebration is one of Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s most inspiring traditions, honoring remarkable women whose lives were shaped by their earliest experiences in Girl Scouting. These honorees stand out as leaders in their professions, champions in their communities, and shining examples of the courage, confidence, and character that Girl Scouting instills. Their stories remind us that the lessons learned around troop meetings, campfires, service projects, and badge‑earning adventures become the foundation for a lifetime of purpose and impact.

Announcing the 2026 Girl Scout Famous Formers Honorees

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast is proud to introduce the 2026 class of Girl Scout Famous Formers—six extraordinary women whose journeys began in Girl Scouting and whose leadership, service, and achievements continue to make our world brighter. Each honoree embodies the courage, confidence, and character that Girl Scouting imparts.

Patrice Covington, Broadway, TV and Film Actor, Vocalist, and TV Host
Dr. Brittny Gainey, LCSW, School Social Worker, Adjunct Instructor, and Owner of The Middle Ground Counseling and Consulting, LLC
Nicole Livas, Chief Communication and Community Engagement Officer for City of Virginia Beach Public Schools
Heidi Salway, Director, Human Resources Business Partnerships at Sentara Health
Elizabeth Vaughn, Deputy Director of Public Communications for the City of Chesapeake
The Honorable Susan Vitale, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Sr. Managing Director, Federal Customer Optimization and Response (CORE) - Microsoft Corporation

Thank you to all who attended the Famous Formers Celebration on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the beautiful Woman’s Club of Portsmouth. We can't wait to see you next year at the Historic Post Office in downtown Hampton!

Returning as our emcee for the second year in a row was Rae Pearson Benn, an award-winning media professional and storyteller who serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the Virginia Beach Police Department. She previously served as the Director of Communications in the Marketing & Public Relations Department at Regent University, and she remains deeply connected to the local broadcasting community as the longtime host of Our Issues Hampton Roads on WTVZ. Rae also has a diverse background in modeling, pageantry, and the arts; she is a former Mrs. Virginia Beach-America 2012 and Mrs. Coastal Virginia-America 2014.

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Congratulations to our 2025 Famous Former Honorees:

Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., President of Norfolk State University
Tonya Byrd, Senior Policy Director (Community Engagement) at Dominion Energy
Sierrah Chavis, Director Youth Opportunities at United Way South Hampton Roads; Founder/CEO of Bossy Girl a 501(c)(3), and children’s author
CDR Heidi Koski, Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City
Wendy Scott, Ph.D., Founder and Director of Tidewater Collegiate Academy at Virginia Wesleyan University

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