Fall 2025 SOAR Magazine

Brownie to Builder: Maxine Clark

On a warm Miami night, a circle of Brownies huddled in their sleeping bags. It was their first campout, and while the dark woods felt intimidating, the crackling fire, gooey marshmallows, and bursts of laughter made the evening unforgettable. Among them was a young girl learning lessons that would last a lifetime—about courage, confidence, and character. That girl was Maxine Clark, who would go on to found one of America’s most beloved brands: Build-A-Bear Workshop ® . Though her path would lead to a groundbreaking career in retail, philanthropy, and education, Maxine traces her leadership roots back to Girl Scouts. She credits cookie season as her first training ground in entrepreneurship. Selling cookies taught her how to ask for the sale, and even how to upsell, skills that shaped her into a visionary retailer with a keen instinct for what customers wanted.

“It all started with Girl Scouts,” Maxine reflects. “Whether it sparked it or just fueled it, it was the foundation of who I became.”

In the early 2000s, she returned to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri as a board member, continuing her lifelong commitment to children. “It takes a village to raise a child,” she says. “Every adult, whether a teacher, cashier, or volunteer, plays a role in shaping kids.” Maxine’s impact now stretches far beyond Build-A-Bear. Through Blueprint4.com, she has helped thousands of families connect with enriching summer programs. With Delmar DivINe, she’s transforming how nonprofits collaborate to better serve communities. And through the Clark-Fox Family Foundation, she invests in education, public health, racial equity, social justice, and leadership to strengthen the St. Louis region. When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Maxine doesn’t pause: “That I cared, and that I made a difference. I don’t need to solve every problem myself, but I want to bring people together to solve them.”

Her advice to today’s Girl Scouts is simple but powerful: Be kind . Believe in yourself . Stay curious .

Because sometimes the journey from Brownie campfires to the boardroom begins with nothing more than a package of cookies, and the courage to believe you can make a difference.

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