Remembering JA University Chancellor Frances Hesselbein
December 13, 2022
Visionary leader and longtime JA supporter Frances Hesselbein passed away on Saturday at age 107.
A skilled, sensitive trailblazer, Frances lived by the guiding motto, “to serve is to live.” She inspired students and CEOs equally, and her lifelong pursuit of service and inclusion made her a unique and motivational leader.
Frances exemplified resilience and determination. At only 17 years old, she managed to collect $235 to attend one semester at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Although her father died mere weeks into her semester, she persevered, taking on a full-time job while pursuing her education at night. During that time, a neighbor asked her to take on the role of Girl Scout leader to a troop of 30 girls. Although she promised her time with the troop was only temporary, Frances fell in love with the organization, and rose through its ranks to became CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA in 1976, a position she held for 14 years. In 1998, U.S President Bill Clinton awarded Frances the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her service to the organization.
Following her time at Girl Scouts, Frances helmed the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute. Originally named the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, its board renamed the organization for Frances in 2012 in honor of her legacy and ongoing contributions. In 2017, the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs launched the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum, a platform for research and learning to advance the art and science of leadership and public service. The forum continues to host an annual lecture series and publish the award-winning Leader to Leader journal.
As a JA University Chancellor, Frances supported learning opportunities for JA students and staff around the world. In 2003, JA introduced the Frances Hesselbein “How to Be” Award, which recognized JA staff members who exemplified the JA values of integrity, respect, and excellence. The award later transformed into the Soraya Salti Award, the highest honor in the JA network.
Frances received more than 20 honorary doctoral degrees and authored and co-edited over 20 books, including Hesselbein on Leadership, My Life in Leadership, and More Hesselbein on Leadership. JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani said, “I had the pleasure of meeting Frances, watching her in action, and seeing how she inspires everyone she meets. Her book, Work is Love Made Visible, was a project that I participated in because it is the embodiment of her call to service. I will miss her dearly.”
Read more about Frances Hesselbein and her remarkable legacy.