The Women Leaders Forum (WLF) of the Coachella Valley proudly announces the honorees for its 4th Annual “Women Who Rule” Fundraiser presented by Desert Regional Medical Center. Five deserving women will be honored for their extraordinary community leadership, public service, commitment to education and visionary entrepreneurship on Friday, January 29 at the Agua Caliente Resort Spa.
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.
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 significantly 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 WLF. 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 and under her leadership, Desert Regional Medical Center became the lead sponsor of Get Tested Coachella Valley.
The luncheon is open to all and proceeds, along with a matching donation of up to $50,000 from Pathways to Success, a division of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, will go directly to college scholarships for the best and brightest members enrolled in WLF’s Young Women Leaders Mentoring Program. Since its inception in 2001, WLF has raised over $350,000 in college scholarships to outstanding participants in the Young Women Leaders Mentoring Program. This year, $20,000 in merit scholarships will also be distributed.
“We are thrilled to honor these exceptional women in the Coachella Valley,” said Event Chair Lauren Del Sarto. “Each one has demonstrated a dedication to leadership, and as a group, they truly are women who rule.”
The festive event kicks off at 11 a.m. with an elegant champagne reception and spectacular silent auction, followed by a 12 p.m. awards ceremony and lunch. Tickets are $65 for WLF members, $85 for non-members and $750 for a table of ten. For more information, visit www.wlfdesert.org.
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