The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) has selected its very first African-American CEO.

In a press release sent to EBONY, the organization announced that Denise Burgess has been appointed the position, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position in the council.

The Boston native and Dorchester resident served as a former CNN correspondent, international communications consultant and American diplomat.

“I am so excited to embark on this journey with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, particularly at this moment in the course of history. I believe America is facing a critical juncture in the development of our cultural norms, particularly those that relate to women and girls,” says Burgess.

Burgess most recently served with The Carter Center. It’s a not-for-profit organization that was founded by former President Jimmy Carter. The Center monitors elections, human rights and mining governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to the release, Burgess made her first public appearance as the GSEMA CEO at the council’s annual Leading Women Awards ceremony on Mar. 1 in Boston.