LEADING WITH OPTIMISM...LOOKING FORWARD

Recap:

“Leading with Optimism…Looking Forward” was the theme of this year’s inspirational event. During her welcome, WLF President Christy Majors encouraged everyone to consciously focus on positivity, laughter, enthusiasm, collaboration, and taking the initiative in all aspects of life. 

Dr. William K. Larson, director of the Applied Neuroscience Institute and author of Growing the Positive Mind, started the morning with a vibrant, interactive presentation that focused on living in what he calls an “Upspiral” of positivity. A Harvard and Yale-educated researcher and neuropsychologist, Dr. Larkin also gave the audience a taste of physical exercises specifically geared to help retrain neural pathways and create positive emotional muscle. Said Dr. Larkin: “If you stay in an upward spiral, you learn faster, you use your strengths…and thrive at a cellular level.”

Next up was Mary Marcdante, an award-winning international speaker and coach, who gave a stellar presentation on Living with Enthusiasm, based on her book of the same name. “Enthusiasm is about willing to be your biggest and brightest self in the world,” said Marcdante, emphasizing that living with enthusiasm is a choice. Marcdante also outlined specific traits and attitudes of enthusiastic people: They radiate energy, they have an ability to be curious and interested in life, they focus on the good, they do something they love every day, they serve a greater purpose, and they feel deeply and laugh often.

During the luncheon, conference emcee Patti Gribow presented WLF member and master navigator, Col. Pat Webb, USAF with WLF’s 2009 “Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling” Award honoring Col. Webb for her trailblazing path in military and civilian service. In addition to her many roles, Col. Webb also serves as an advisor to Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton. During her uplifting acceptance speech, Col. Webb stated that “where women flourish, families flourish, communities flourish, and nations flourish.” She encouraged everyone in the room to be “tireless human rights activists and unyielding advocates for women and girls around the world. “

Dr. Rev. Audrey Reed presented the 2009 WLF Lifetime Achievement Award to prolific Broadway producer Jane Treacy, a veteran WLF member who helped create and co-chairs WLF’s Young Woman Ambassadors high school outreach program.

Palm Springs Life Associate Publisher Michael E. Evans accepted the WLF “Community Spirit” Award, which paid tribute to the magazine’s commitment to the Coachella Valley community since its inception in 1957.

Gribow also moderated a panel of women leaders that included Majors, Reesa Manning and Jasenka Sabanovic. The women candidly addressed how they overcame personal crises – war and cancer among them - to create positive change in their lives, develop personal leadership skills, and mentor and inspire others. WLF’s “College Bound” Scholarship Awardee Roxanna Gonzalez-Jimenez joined the panel towards the end, sharing her aspiration to become a neurosurgeon.

After lunch, motivational speaker and humorist. Mimi Donaldson had the audience rolling with laughter thanks to her lively, comic presentation designed to empower women on their journey to success.

Guests also had a chance to learn more about “The Kind Campaign” from its 22-year-old founders, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, who recently finished shooting a documentary across the nation. You can learn more and “fan” this movement that seeks to bring awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of abuse within the girl world on their Facebook Fan site.

Following a break, the fabulous Katie Finn Coleman of Great Legs Wine Consulting gave one of her phenomenal wine-tasting presentations.

A lovely outdoor wine and cheese reception wrapped up this exceptional day of leadership education.

Testimonials:

"Your event was one of the most well-run, professional, enjoyable, and meaningful conferences I have had the privilege of being a speaker. From the moment I walked into the ballroom for rehearsals with Audrey and her team, reconnected with Patti Gribow after so many years, and finally met the faces I’d talked with or read about in preparing – Cathy, Sheila, Kate, Christy, Mary – I knew it was going to be an even more remarkable experience than I had anticipated.

And remarkable it was. WHAT AN AWESOME 24 HOURS WITH ALL OF YOU!

Mary, your vision and mission – and WLF Team, your commitment and creative expression – are an inspiration to women’s organizations everywhere. You have a powerful, meaningful and important legacy to continue. And continue it will through your foresight, love, and  the Young Women Ambassadors."

View our Photo Album for this event!

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2009 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SPONSORS:

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Palm Springs Life

First California Bank

Image Marketing Concepts

Silver Ink Communications

Integrated Wealth Management

Miramonte Resort & Spa

Great Legs Wine Consulting

Jackie Lee Houston

Peggy Cravens

Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

Lite Life Surgery

Bally’s Cleaners