Girl Scouts of Suffolk County host annual ‘Making an Impact’ breakfast marking International Women’s Day

The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County hosted its annual 2026 Making an Impact Breakfast and Symposium, titled “Empowering Girls, Expanding Impact,” at the Stonebridge Country Club on Friday, March 6. 

The event, which was held in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, was attended by more than 300 Long Island business community members, special guest Girl Scout Ambassadors, and the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, 

The morning included a special panel discussion featuring four women who shared their stories on empowerment, leadership skills, and the importance of mental health for today’s Girl Scouts.

“They definitely are inspiring,” said Brinleigh Ingwersen, a Girl Scout from Northport, who attended the event for the first time. “The different jobs and courage they have makes me feel like I could be determined to have the same path and to do what they can do.” 

The panel was moderated by Adrienne Greene, vice president of retail banking, Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union, and featured Suffolk County Police Department deputy commissioner Belinda Alvarez-Groneman, CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital Carol A. Gomes, CertaPro senior director of commercial sales Marie Martineck, and Michelle Zarifis, external affairs manager for National Grid.

“Girl Scouts are always looking for ways to make their communities stronger and more supportive,” said Tammy Severino, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “Events like ‘Making an Impact’ show girls that their ideas, their energy, and their commitment to helping others can truly change lives.”