President:
Christy Majors
president@wlfdesert.org

Originally from Montana, Christy moved to the desert in 1983 and has been a resident since then. Her career in banking began in 1988, when she discovered that finding financial solutions for her clients was very fulfilling. Now with years of banking experience, Christy specializes in personalized banking for high net worth individuals and commercial businesses at 1st Centennial Bank in Palm Desert. Helping clients meet their personal and business goals is the reward that continues to drive her career, one that fits well with her outgoing and friendly demeanor. Christy's most memorable banking experience was facilitating the loan for the Indian Wells Tennis Garden that contributed to keeping in the Desert the world's 5th largest tennis tournament, the Pacific Life Open. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden continues to successfully host major sporting, musical and other community events.

Christy cherishes the close relationships she develops with her clients. Knowing her clients and their families results in a better understanding of their personal and business financial needs. The fact that she knows her clients' children, their vacation schedules, and their favorite restaurant is evidence that her customers are far more than an account number to her and the bank!

Banking has continued to change through the years, and has resulted in more and more women earning leadership roles. Dynamic women are gaining positions as executive managers, board of directors, and bank presidents. 1st Centennial Bank is a perfect example of the changing face of banking, as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer are both talented and qualified women.

Christy gives back to the community with her involvement in various worthwhile charitable organizations. As a board member of the Women's Leadership Forum, Christy believes in the many programs that help women of all ages further their careers and build self-esteem. Christy particularly enjoys working with teenage girls by teaching them valuable life skills, providing scholarships to help then further their education. The resulting friendship and bonding is the ultimate reward for all involved.

Organizations:
Board member of Women Leaders Forum
Membership committee for Indian Wells Country Club
Active Southern California Plein Air Painters
Active student at Scottsdale Art School

President Elect:
Kate Spates
presidentelect@wlfdesert.org

Kate Spates is community-minded and has always taken an interest in the growth and development of the desert. She recently graduated from the prestigious Leadership Coachella Valley program.
Spates is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino. Her career has included positions in hospitality, accounting, administration, and retail sales.

In 1996, Spates formed WebSites 2000. After 10 years and over 200 clients, WebSites 2000 became Image Marketing Concepts, a full-service web & marketing firm.

Spates has assisted local charities such as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, United Way of the Desert, and Habitat for Humanity Coachella Valley by creating a Web presence for them. She and her husband, Brent, have twin daughters, Abby and Cassidy.

Secretary:
Margo Nelligan
secretary@wlfdesert.org

Margot spent 28 years in the corporate world, working for Xerox Corporation in various positions, including training, marketing and strategic alliance management.  She retired from Xerox in 2002, and moved to the desert in 2003, where she started a retail clothing business.

Margot has been a member of WLF since 2006, and participated in organizing WLF’s Girlz Night Out and the TIAW Conference co-hosted by WLF in 2007. Margot currently chairs the WLF/TIAW Microbank Program, which raises funds to provide small – or “micro” loans to working women in underdeveloped countries.

Her previous volunteer leadership roles include:

• Secretary and Chair, Tree Musketeers, El Segundo, CA, a non-profit run by kids using environmental programs to teach them leadership and social skills
• President and Board Member, Lake Mirage Homeowners Association, Rancho Mirage, CA
• President, Surfside Homeowner’s Association, Redondo Beach, CA
• President, Xerox Women’s Information Network
• Member, Redondo Beach Environmental and Public Utilities Commission, Redondo Beach, CA
• Founder and member representative, South Bay Business Environmental Coalition, El Segundo, CA
• Advisor to the El Segundo Citizen’s Committee on Environmental Programs

Margot lives in Rancho Mirage and enjoys travel, hiking and reading.

Treasurer:
Rebecca Kenary
& Wall Street Teens Chairperson
wallstreetteens@wlfdesert.org

Rebecca Kenary retired from a 20-year career in Investment Banking in 1999.  Born and raised in Worcester, Massachussetts, Kenary earned a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

Kenary began her career in foreign exchange sales and trading at First National Bank of Chicago.  She subsequently worked for institutions including Citibank, Salomon Brothers, AIG and UBS in New York, Paris, London and Singapore. Kenary's responsibilities as a Currency Trader included managing the British Pound trading desk for Citibank NY and an Emerging Markets currency desk for AIG.  Her clients as a Foreign Exchange sales advisor included Central Banks and Investment Authorities, hedge funds, mutual funds and large corporations in Europe, Asia, Australia and North and South America.

Since retiring and moving to Palm Desert, Rebecca has worked with local artists, authors and not-for-profit organizations to help promote their work and organize the financial side of their creative businesses. She has edited and created book proposals for 2 books. In addition, she continues her lifelong commitment to charitable activities.
Rebecca is Treasurer of Women Leaders Forum and Chair of its Wall Street Teens program.  She is thrilled to be able to use her career experience to help young women discover the thrill of "Financial Independence!"

Immediate Past President:
Cathy O'Connell

Dr. Rev. Cathy O'Connell has a passion for guiding people to celebrate their lives to the fullest. She is the president and co-founder of Celebrations of Joy, a Destination Wedding and Special Event Design & Planning company that helps discerning clients worldwide create memorable celebrations. She is also the managing director of Dorry Wynham Fine Art, and an ordained interfaith minister.

Prior to relocating to the desert with her partner Dorry in 2000, O'Connell had a 15 year career as a senior corporate executive, directing sales and operations for several Silicon Valley organizations. While successfully building companies, she has also served her community extensively. She was Vice President and president-elect of IFMA, a 1000 member industry association, the founder and director of The Professional Women's Network in the Bay Area, the President of the Coachella Valley Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and has served on the board of Literacy Volunteers of America.

O'Connell loves helping people become the best they can be while celebrating lives filled with joy and she spends her free time coaching women to become empowered to create their dreams. She and her partner Dorry live in La Quinta, where they are avid hikers and love to celebrate life with their canine and feline children.

Board Member:
Renell E. Burch, Esq.

As a Coachella Valley resident since 2000 and having practiced law at one of the valley’s top litigation firms, Renell recently decided to take on the exciting challenge of opening her own law practice.  Located in Indian Wells, the Law Offices of Renell E. Burch, a Professional Corporation offers legal services in the areas of civil litigation, real estate and corporate law.  The firm engages in all aspects of business related matters from preventive and pre-litigation counseling through trial and post trial proceedings.

Renell is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine and the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. She is an active member of the local American Inns of Court, Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer Chapter, the American Bar Association, the Desert Bar Association and the State Bar of California.  Renell has been listed on the Who’s Who in the legal profession and has been awarded the top rating for her years in practice among her colleagues for her legal ability and ethical standards. An advocate of early resolution, Renell sits on the civil bench panel of mediators with the Riverside Superior Court offering mediation services to the community.

Active in her community, Renell has served on the Board of Directors for the Family YMCA of the Desert and as a member of the Junior League of the Palm Springs Desert Communities. She is also a volunteer at many of our local nonprofit organizations throughout the valley.  

Renell is a firm believer that the Coachella Valley offers tremendous opportunities not only in the business arena, but for our youth in the desert.  As the valley grows Renell is excited to play an integral part of what our valley has to offer.  

Board Member:
Ellen Grosser

fundraiser@wlfdesert.org

Ellen Grosser, Senior Real Estate Specialist, has served buyers and sellers in real estate for more than a decade. After traveling throughout the world and living in Los Angeles, on the East Coast, and Spain, Grosser chose our desert for her home.

When Ellen is not working, you might find her organizing a Women Leaders Forum event, at the Palm Springs Air Museum, or at a meeting of the Palm Desert or La Quinta Chambers of Commerce. You might also find her tending to her garden, entertaining, reading a book, or playing with her six grandchildren.

Grosser offers a variety of real estate services to a diverse clientele. She specializes in finding dream homes for her clients and going the extra mile. She listens and makes the home buying and selling process simple for her clients.

Board Member:
Diane Lucas
historian@wlfdesert.org

Diane Lucas is a veteran in the field of private education: a teacherof grades K-12, an administrator as temporary head of a lower school inSt. Thomas, a reading specialist, and a professional tutor.  She isco-chair of Hospitality for WLF, a committee member of the LeadershipAcademy, and co-chair of Wall Street Teens.

Lucas has also served DesertSamaritans for The Elderly as an auction committee volunteer for sixyears and in 2002 was their Volunteer of the Year. Her charity work hasincluded the USO, the St. Thomas Navy League, The Thalians, and theBarbara Sinatra Children’s Center. A true volunteer. 

Board Member:
Jan Silver Maguire
communications@wlfdesert.org 

Jan Silver Maguire, principalof Silver Ink Communications, is a full-time freelance business,marketing, and magazine writer. Her expertise derives from a combined25 years of experience in the television industry and, more recently,in healthcare. Prior to launching her company in 2001, Maguire servedas an outreach coordinator and clinician for the nonprofit CancerWellness Center in metropolitan Chicago. For two decades, Maguireworked in the television industry in diverse freelancepositions-production manager, associate producer, and talentcoordinator, among them-for several major television productioncompanies in Los Angeles and Chicago, and on location in Europe. She isan emeritus member of the Writers Guild of America West, holds anundergraduate degree in communications from University of Texas,Austin, and an MSW from Loyola University, Chicago. Maguire currentlyserves as the Co-chair for WLF's 2009 Leadership Conference entitled"Leading with Optimism…Looking Forward” to be held on October 23, 2009.

Board Member:
Reesa Manning
dwe@wlfdesert.org

Reesa Manning Joined UBS Financial Services, in 1997 she is a Financial Advisor, Vice President Investments. Retirement Planning Consultant. In 1982 she founded Southern Ca. based, 140-store franchise Penguin's Frozen Yogurt. She also served as president of the non-profit 2000 member National Council of Jewish Women in Los Angeles, co-founded the Desert Cities chapter of NAWBO (National Organization of Women Business Owners.) and currently serves on the board of Temple Sinai. Her focus is mentoring and empowering women.

She has resided in the desert for 12 years with her husband Steve, between them they have 5 children and 5 grand children.

Board Member:
Rev. Dr. Audrey Reed
fundraiser@wlfdesert.org

Rev. Dr. Audrey Reed serves as Apple Computers' logistical director fordomestic and international special events. She also produces otherlarge industrial events for such clients as CBS TelevisionDistribution, The International Alliance for Women, and Fashion Week ElPaseo. She is currently producing WLF's "Nite Out with the Girlz"scheduled to take place on April 23. Dr. Reed's career has spanned morethan 30 years. She has served as the senior vice president of The ClarkGroup, Inc., which owned four North American Van Line agencies. She hasalso authored two books, Money Toolbox for Women and Verbal Magik. Sheis now a partner in Old Town Coffee Company, located in Old Town LaQuinta, which was just named "Best of the Best" Coffee Place in TheDesert Sun.

Board Member:
Jasenka Sabanovic
dwe@wlfdesert.org

A Bosnian native, Jasenkamoved to United States in 1998 after spending four years in the horrorsof the civil war. Prior to coming to US Jasenka escaped to Germany,only to be denied the asylum. Confused, feeling rejected, and alone inthis world she applied to come to USA to find her peace. After goingthrough deep depression, she picked herself up, enrolled in collegesupporting herself and her family by working full time. Four yearslater, she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Economics.

Her knowledge in supportingpeople how to overcome obstacles, create vision, and find fulfillmentcome from amazing life experience, and coaching skills she learned byworking for a company that coached CEO's, and individuals from NASA,Shell, Sandia National Laboratories, Real Estate Brokers, Lawyers andmany others.

She came back to the Desertand started her own company Coaching to Vision. As a life coach, she ispaving a road for the humanity to get to a better place: that of peace.She has joined Women Leaders Forum because it has aligned with all herbeliefs, which are to support teenage girls to find their purpose,break the social barriers and glass ceilings and become leaders. Inaddition, she believes in supporting and being supported by all otheramazing members of WLF to build friendships, business relationships, tolearn and grow from their knowledge and experiences.

She has turned her life intoone of contribution, has worked with the children at YMCA in Oakland,teaching them to take charge of their life, and create a life that theydream of outside the boundaries of race, gender and religion. Sheserves as a committee Chair for the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade. Sheis on the board of Desert Coaches Network.
Featured in PS LIFE as 40 people that influence the Coachella Valley,Press Enterprise, was a cover story in LQ Magazine, Radio Show EZ103.1, Patti Gribow Show, 922You. She speaks several languages andbrings an experience of learning through hardship, war, rejections,misunderstanding and transffering it into love, peace and purposefulaction.

'My vision is to translate learning into purposeful action and to create quantum shifts one person at the time'

Board Member:
Rev. Patty Spicer
membership@wlfdesert.org

Patty is a StanfordUniversity graduate, an ordained Religious Science minister, and aformer California elementary school teacher. She is recognized for herprofessional excellence and community leadership.

Patty has a track record ofassisting women reach their full potential in presenting"Self-Esteem/Self-Image" and Life Management seminars throughoutCalifornia; presenting leadership tools for career enhancement at theWomen Leaders Forum Leadership Academy; and teaching self-esteem,speaking and success skills to teens at the Wall Street Teen annualconferences. As Curator of Education, she designed the trainingcurriculum for the forty-woman Docent Council at the Palm SpringsDesert Museum. She created and facilitated a Valley-wide interfaithwomen's spirituality group, "The Spiritual Spa," to help bring balance,wellness, and renewal into women's busy lives. As a minister andeducator, she has presented numerous workshops and counseled hundredsof women (and families) to more successful lives.

Patty has woven communityservice throughout her professional and personal life. She has servedas the Director for The La Quinta Arts Foundation and Arts Festival.She chaired the Religious Science International Ministers' leadershipconference and the national conference of Women's National Farm &Garden Association while serving as its California president. Shechaired the Family YMCA Sustaining Membership Campaign for RiversideCounty and originated and chaired the annual "Hoedown at Sundown" YMCAfundraiser for after-school childcare facilities and programs. She hasserved on the Coachella Valley Association of Government's CoachellaValley Children & Youth Commission, Mid-Valley Interfaith Council,Indian Wells Garden & Community Club, Assistance League, FamilyYMCA, the Bob Hope Classic Ball committee, and as a keynotemotivational speaker for organizations. She serves as a Director forboth the Women Leaders Forum and the Marywood-Palm Valley School(independent college preparatory K-12), and on the Indian WellsCommunity Activities Committee and The Living Desert Zoo &Botanical Gardens Gala Committee.

Patty has been married 42 years to Larry Spicer, Indian Wells CityCouncil Member, has three children, five grandchildren, and has livedin Indian Wells, California for 31 years. She enjoys designing andpainting children's murals, floral design, gardening, and acting asco-pilot for Larry in their plane.

Board Member:
Jane Treacy & Co-Chair,
Young Women Ambassadors
ywa@wlfdesert.org

A former theatrical producer, Jane Treacy has more than 40 productions to her credit, including The Odd Couple, starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, and Can Can, starring Leslie Caron. Treacy has also served as a special events consultant to numerous not-for-profit groups in New York and Indianapolis. In the Coachella Valley, she was program director for The Valley’s Promise and interim executive director for WLF. She has served as a board member for COD Auxiliary, Indian Wells Desert Symphony Orchestra, Rancho Mirage Public Library, and Northwestern University Alumni of the Coachella Valley. Treacy is listed in Who’s Who Worldwide.

Founding President:
Mary T. Roche
scholarships@wlfdesert.org

Indian Wells Council Member Mary T. Roche was elected to the council in 2000, named mayor in 2003, and reelected in 2004. She currently serves as Indian Wells’ representative to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Coachella Valley Transportation Commission, Coachella Valley Conservation Commission, Coachella Valley Energy & Environment Committee, and Santa Rosa & San Jacinto National Monument Advisory Board.

Roche has extensive community involvement with an impressive list of leadership positions. She founded the Homeowners/Residents Association of Indian Wells, and Indian Wells Historic Preservation Foundation. She is founding president of Desert Horizons Women’s Club, as well as past president of Desert Horizons Homeowners Association. Roche is active in many other community organizations.

An educator and businesswoman, Roche retired from Los Angeles Community College District after 25 years as an administrator and professor. She founded and served as CEO/ president of Linens Unlimited II, a retail bed and bath chain.

Roche earned her master of arts in educational administration from California State University, Long Beach, and her bachelor of arts from California State University, Los Angeles.

President Circle Chair:
Patti Gribow

Gribow has pursued a varied career, including the many facets of entertainment from live performances as a member of the "Golddiggers" with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to roles in more than 30 TV shows such as Happy Days and Charlie's Angels. She currently works with her husband, Dale, at the Law Office of Dale Gribow as human resource director.

Patti is host of Patti Gribow's RoundTable, an innovative talk show featuring in-depth conversations with inspirational and inspiring people. Global issues brought home! Her show can be viewed at 9:00 a.m. Monday- Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. on Palm Springs My 13, and on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. on KMIR, TV 6.