Judy Vossler, Lisa Vossler Smith, Madeline Redstone, Dr. Susan Murphy, Ph. D., R.N. and Carolyn Caldwell to Be Recognized at 4th Annual Fundraiser
Tickets are on sale now for Women Leaders Forum (WLF) of the Coachella Valley’s 4th Annual “Women Who Rule” Fundraiser. Judy Vossler, Lisa Vossler Smith, Madeline Redstone, Dr. Susan Murphy, Ph. D., R.N. and Carolyn Caldwell will be honored for their extraordinary community leadership, public service, commitment to education and visionary entrepreneurship on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Agua Caliente Resort Spa (32250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage).
“We are pleased to pay tribute to this year’s honorees,” said event chair Lauren Del Sarto. “These women serve as tremendous role models and are an inspiration to our WLF members, the young women we mentor and the entire Coachella Valley.”
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, live auction and lunch.
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 luncheon not only pays tribute to these four fabulous women, but also helps our organization raise the much needed funds to provide college scholarships to deserving young women leaders,” said Del Sarto.
Luncheon ticket prices are $65 for WLF members, $85 for non-members and $750 for tables of ten. For more information, visit www.wlfdesert.org.
This year’s spectacular “Women Who Rule” include 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.
Women Leaders Forum’s Young Women Leaders Program
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Our Young Women Leaders (YWL) program was established to help high school girls aspire to and prepare for higher education. Over 16-weeks, the girls take part in educational workshops and one-on-one mentoring by Women Leaders Forum members. Seniors who complete the program are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in college scholarships generated from Women Who Rule.
This year, 114 students from 10 Coachella Valley High Schools are taking part with 44 members mentoring 80 seniors in 20 different career fields. WLF conducted six four-hour educational sessions featuring guest speakers covering topics including arts and etiquette, public speaking, financial matters, health and wellness, and community service with our partner FIND Food Bank.
Due to significant interest in the field, WLF added a medical career day this year through their partner, CSUSB. YWL’s interacted with local nurses and doctors who shared their career path, college experience, and passion for their profession. The girls also toured the campus and received firsthand experience in the lab with CSUSB student nurses.
“Women Leaders Forum is dedicated to providing our Young Women Leaders with the tools and opportunity to pursue a future of higher education and career achievement,” said President Deborah Tryon. “Our committee puts their hearts into creating an amazing experience for each and every of our YWL participants and Women Who Rule generates the scholarship funds to help send our seniors to college.”
The 2015-2016 Young Women Leaders program is sponsored by Desert Healthcare District.
