Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Welcomes New Chief of Engagement and Belonging Officer
November 06, 2023
St. Louis, MO – November 6 2023 – Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) is pleased to announce Dr. Lydia Bullock as its new Chief of Engagement and Belonging Officer (CEBO) effective November 20, 2023.
Dr. Bullock joins GSEM with an extensive background in the implementation of innovative diversity and community engagement programming, increasing representation and inclusion of students, volunteers, and community partners. She also has specific experience in mentoring intentional belonging support strategies for women of diverse populations. She brings with her an expertise in the facilitation of effective diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging trainings for various stakeholders, as well as the development of recruitment and retention strategies to attract and retain diverse populations.
Most recently, Dr. Bullock served as the Program Director for Saint Louis University’s Institute for Healing, Justice, and Equity. During her tenure, she was charged with the development and administration of programming that bolstered healing justice and community engagement ethics, building, and maintaining strong relationships with community partners, research collaborators, and community organizations.
While at Saint Louis University, she successfully planned and organized college student programs and initiatives, oversaw and advised the Student Government Association Cabinet, reviewed and set policy and procedures to ensure equitable resources, and served as an executive coach, providing training, guidance and support for all. In addition, she has also served as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, focusing on culturally responsive and appropriate short-term plans for those in need.
“Lydia is an amazing addition to drive this intentional and important work with key stakeholders for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri,” said Dr. Natissia Small, CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “Her extensive educational background and professional experience in creating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in leadership development, creating policies and procedures, and trainings to support our efforts for building a strong foundation to support all eastern Missouri girls, volunteers, staff and stakeholders. We are so fortunate to have her join our team!”
As CEBO, Dr. Bullock will provide administrative leadership while creating inclusive practices throughout the GSEM Council for all girls, volunteers, staff, membership, and the Board. This role has primary leadership for the causes of girl empowerment, gender equity, social justice, and access. She will collaboratively work with key stakeholders in the organization and St Louis community leaders to support our efforts to empower all girls, staff, and members with a strong sense of belonging where all individuals feel valued, respected, regarded, and empowered with a strong sense of belonging.
“I am thrilled to be joining this incredible team and I look forward to supporting the very important and necessary diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work for the eastern Missouri girls,” said Dr. Bullock. “I’m excited to work with the staff and further develop our reach as a council to ensure all girls everywhere can be a Girl Scout.”
Dr. Bullock also serves on the Board of Bayer YMCA and Conduct Hearing Officer at Saint Louis University. She has received numerous honors and awards for her work, including Saint Louis University’s Phil Lyons Outstanding Staff Advisor Award. Dr. Bullock has earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Pre-Kindergarten – 3rd grade from Ausin Peay State University, Masters of Arts in Education, Higher Education Administration from Western Kentucky University and her doctorate in Education Leadership from Saint Louis University.
