Weekly Lunch Leading the Troops: From the Marines to the Girl Scouts

Angela (Angie) Salinas, Major General U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), became the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in July 2015. Prior to becoming the CEO, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 39 years. A Girl Scout alumna, Salinas is a role model to girls and women seeking to break through the glass ceiling. She commanded at every level from Lieutenant to General that include Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego/Western Recruiting Region, Assistant Chief of Staff for plans and policy of a major combatant organization, and command of a recruiting district. Her military decorations are many, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, and culminated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal upon retirement.

Salinas’ accolades extend past her military experience. She has been recognized with multiple awards including the San Antonio National Association of Women Business Owner’s Outstanding Woman in Non-Profit, U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Women’s International Center’s Living Legacy Award, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Latinas in Service Award. She has been inducted into the U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame, Hispanic Women in Leadership Hall of Fame, and the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the NCAA Legacy Award and the American Spirit Award Medallion from the National WWII Museum. She has received the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Tribute to Women Business Leaders Hope Award, as well as the San Antonio Business Journal Women’s Leadership Award.

She is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice-Veterans Justice Commission, serves on the Board of Directors for GPM Life and the National Board of Young Marines, in addition to multiple local non-profit boards. A native of Alice, Texas, she holds a Master of Arts from the Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College of San Rafael, California. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Dominican University of California and Loyola University of New Orleans.

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