Palm Springs
This spectacular valley-wide celebration pays tribute to women achieving the highest level of success and those making a difference in our community. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with an elegant champagne reception and spectacular silent auction, followed by a 12 p.m. awards program and lunch. Luncheon ticket prices are $65 for WLF members, $85 for non-members and $750 for tables of ten.
All proceeds from the luncheon, and a matching donation of up to $50,000 from Pathways to Success, a division of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, will go directly toward college scholarships for the best and brightest members enrolled in WLF’s Young Women Leaders Mentoring Program. This year, $20,000 in merit scholarships will also be distributed.
“We are thrilled to honor these exception women in the Coachella Valley,” said Event Chair Lauren Del Sarto. “Each one has demonstrated a dedication to leadership and truly are women who rule.”
This year’s spectacular “Women Who Rule” includes the following recipients:
“WLF Desert Visionary Award” – Judy Vossler and Lisa Vossler Smith
This mother daughter team has been an integral part of the Valley’s rich history and style. Judy, currently senior vice president of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been a part of area development for over 30 years. Lisa grew up here and is currently the Executive Director of Modernism Week. She is passionate about promoting cultural tourism and the rich heritage of the Palm Springs desert region. Lisa attended Indio High School and grew up in La Quinta where she began her early career training at La Quinta Hotel under the leadership of her mother.
“Mary T. Roche Community Leadership Award” – Madeline Redstone
Madeline served as the Managing Director of Bear Stearns & Co. before retiring into a life of giving back. She currently serves on the Board for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the Nashoba Brooks School, the Palm Springs Museum, the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation and the Palm Springs Film Festival. She is also a member of the Children’s Trust of the Boston Children’s Medical Center.
“Helene Galen Excellence in Education Award” – Dr. Susan Murphy, Ph. D., R.N.
Through her writing, lectures, consulting and nonprofit work, Dr. Murphy is a consummate educator. She has over 25 years of national and international experience with over 300 organizations including many Fortune 500 companies. Her extensive background combines the three worlds of corporate leadership, academia and management consulting and she is a member of USF’s Graduate School faculty. Dr. Murphy has significant contributed her talents to both WLF members and the Young Women Leaders mentoring program.
“WLF Inspiration Award” – Carolyn Caldwell
Carolyn is an inspirational women leader in our community and continually supports Women Leaders Forum. As the president and chief executive officer for Desert Regional Medical Center, she oversees the area’s only level II trauma center and region’s only neonatal intensive care unit. Caldwell serves on the board of trustees for the American Hospital Association a national organization that represents close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 40,000 individual members. In addition, she serves on the board of the Desert AIDS Project in Palm Springs. Under her leadership, Desert Regional Medical Center became the lead sponsor of Get Tested Coachella Valley.
About Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley
Founded by Indian Wells City Council member Mary T. Roche, the mission of Women Leaders Forum is to empower and develop women leaders of all ages and backgrounds in our community. Since its inception in 2001, Women Leaders Forum has raised over $350,000 in college scholarships for the best and brightest enrolled in the Young Women Leaders Mentoring Program.
