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.

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.

Patty is a Stanford University graduate, an ordained Religious Science minister, and a former California elementary school teacher. She is recognized for her professional excellence and community leadership.

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

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

Patty has been married 42 years to Larry Spicer, Indian Wells City Council Member, has three children, five grandchildren, and has lived in Indian Wells, California for 31 years. She enjoys designing and painting children's murals, floral design, gardening, and acting as co-pilot for Larry in their plane.

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

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.

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.

Rebecca Kenary enjoyed a 20-year career in Investment Banking and has been "blissfully retired" since the end of last century. Her career in foreign exchange sales and trading included positions with Citibank and UBS and took place in the wonderful locations of Chicago, New York, London and Paris. Rebecca has a BA from Stanford and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

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. She is thrilled to be able to use her career experience to help young women discover the thrill of "Financial Independence!" at WLF's Wall Street Teens.

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.

Rev. Dr. Audrey Reed serves as Apple Computers' logistical director for domestic and international special events. She also produces other large industrial events for such clients as CBS Television Distribution, The International Alliance for Women, and Fashion Week El Paseo. She is currently producing WLF's "Nite Out with the Girlz" scheduled to take place on April 23. Dr. Reed's career has spanned more than 30 years. She has served as the senior vice president of The Clark Group, Inc., which owned four North American Van Line agencies. She has also authored two books, Money Toolbox for Women and Verbal Magik. She is now a partner in Old Town Coffee Company, located in Old Town La Quinta, which was just named "Best of the Best" Coffee Place in The Desert Sun.

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.

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

Her knowledge in supporting people how to overcome obstacles, create vision, and find fulfillment come from amazing life experience, and coaching skills she learned by working for a company that coached CEO's, and individuals from NASA, Shell, Sandia National Laboratories, Real Estate Brokers, Lawyers and many others.

She came back to the Desert and started her own company Coaching to Vision. As a life coach, she is paving 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 her beliefs, which are to support teenage girls to find their purpose, break the social barriers and glass ceilings and become leaders. In addition, she believes in supporting and being supported by all other amazing members of WLF to build friendships, business relationships, to learn and grow from their knowledge and experiences.

She has turned her life into one of contribution, has worked with the children at YMCA in Oakland, teaching them to take charge of their life, and create a life that they dream of outside the boundaries of race, gender and religion. She serves as a committee Chair for the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade. She is 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 EZ 103.1, Patti Gribow Show, 922You. She speaks several languages and brings an experience of learning through hardship, war, rejections, misunderstanding and transffering it into love, peace and purposeful action.

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

Diane Lucas is a veteran in the field of private education: a teacher of grades K-12, an administrator as temporary head of a lower school in St. Thomas, a reading specialist, and a professional tutor. She is presently with St. Margaret’s School as a reading specialist. She is co-chair of Hospitality for WLF, a committee member of the Leadership Academy, and co-chair of Wall Street Teens. She has also served Desert Samaritans for The Elderly as an auction committee volunteer for six years and in 2002 was their Volunteer of the Year. Her charity work has included the USO, the St. Thomas Navy League, The Thalians, and the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. A true volunteer.  To see more about Diane's position as Women Leaders Forum's first Historian, please click here. 

Jan Silver Maguire, principal of Silver Ink Communications, is a full-time freelance business, marketing, and magazine writer. Her expertise derives from a combined 25 years of experience in the television industry and, more recently, in healthcare. Prior to launching her company in 2001, Maguire served as an outreach coordinator and clinician for the nonprofit Cancer Wellness Center in metropolitan Chicago. For two decades, Maguire worked in the television industry in diverse freelance positions-production manager, associate producer, and talent coordinator, among them-for several major television production companies in Los Angeles and Chicago, and on location in Europe. She is an emeritus member of the Writers Guild of America West, holds an undergraduate degree in communications from University of Texas, Austin, and an MSW from Loyola University, Chicago. Maguire currently serves as the marketing chair for WLF's 2008 Leadership Academy entitled "Take the Lead" to be held on October 24, 2008.

Education Chair, Leadership Academy, Young Women Ambassadors, Girlz Nite Out:
Dr. Diane M. Kline
leadership@wlfdesert.org

Dr. Diane M. Kline earned her doctorate degree in administration from Pepperdine University. She has served as an assistant principal, middle and high school principal, and a director in three different districts.  Diane served as president of ACSA and wrote a three-year strategic plan for the Board.  She then ran for office of the state Board and overwhelmingly was awarded the three-year post.  Diane moved to the Desert in 1998, taking a director position with Palm Springs Unified School District.  She moved to Desert Sands Unified School District as Director from 2000-2008 and recently retired after three decades in education. Throughout her educational career, mentoring young women into the field of educational administration was always a passion for Diane. Diane is a graduate of the second class of the Leadership Coachella Valley, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance.

Dr. Diane M. Kline is a founding member of WLF, and served as Vice President for two years and Chairperson for Wall Street Teens for five years with Diane Lucas. Currently Dr. Kline is helping with three committees:  Leadership Academy, Young Women Ambassadors and Girlz Nite Out. Diane is pursuing her creative side and recently established a business called Diane Kline Exclusives.  In this endeavor she will create original acrylic paintings, silk flower arrangements, and provide event planning for special occasions.   In addition she is studying for her real estate license and will be joining Deb Scanlon, another WLF member, to create the Double DD Realty Corporation.

Judy Mathes has more than 30 years experience in the financial services industry. As a Senior Investment Consultant, her focus is on securitized real estate such as tenant-in-common and DST investments, either through 1031 exchange or direct investment, as well as public and private REITs, LLCs and other real estate securities.

In addition to real estate investments and 1031 exchanges, her expertise includes all types of securities investments, estate planning and preservation, tax planning and retirement planning. A licensed securities principal and California Life Agent, she has owned and operated her own financial planning business for more than 25 years. She is a well-known public speaker on investments, estate planning, planned giving and other tax planning strategies, as well as 1031 exchanges and tenant-in-common investments.

Ms. Mathes is also active in the community. She is a Board member of Women Leaders Forum and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert. She is an affiliate member of the California Desert Association of Realtors and the Women’s Council of Realtors and also a member of The Girlfriend Factor and Winewomenpsp. She is past President and co-founder of the Central California Chapter, International Association for Financial Planning.

A frequent guest speaker, Ms. Mathes has appeared in Women’s Day, The New York Times, The Modesto Bee and other publications. She co-produced her business’ cable television show “You and Your Money”, has conducted evening classes on financial planning and investments at Modesto Junior College and has been an instructor for Golden Gate University Extension.

A native of Oakdale, California, Ms. Mathes relocated to Indio, California in early 2005, and continues to provide quality personal service to her clients throughout the state.

Palm Springs, CA, September 12, 2008, Kathy Stiles Co-Founder of The Wedding Planning Club and The Bride's Best Friend Magazine websites, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in all aspects of online publishing, advertising and networking for the bride-to-be.

After a successful 28-year career in sales and marketing, Ms. Stiles joined forces with notable wedding photographer Robin Buckley (www.RobinBuckley.com) to launch the out-of-the-box websites The Wedding Planning Club and The Bride's Best Friend magazine. Explains Ms. Stiles, "We saw the need for an online bridal social network site (a little like My Space expect it is for the Brides) where the brides can share the wedding planning experience with other brides and receive expert advice from the Wedding professionals."

The Wedding Planning Club (www.theweddingplanningclub.com) features an exclusive wedding service directory, a wedding shop with the best offers on the market, and a classified section. The site also allows the bride-to-be to create her own customized page with photos and videos for friends and family to view. "Our goal is to offer brides-to-be easy access to the best wedding shopping available on the internet, explains Ms. Stiles. "The Wedding Planning Club has links to a host of wedding-related sites from ceremony locations and catering halls to videographers and transportation." So, instead of buying dozens of magazines and spending hours searching the internet, visitors have a one-stop paperless source for all their wedding planning needs.

The Bride's Best Friend Magazine (www.TheBridesBestFriendMagazine.com) is a top-notch online digital magazine for the bride-to-be. The state-of-the-art magazine features wedding tips, trends and products to help in the planning of the big event. Advertisers are provided with direct links to their products and services, often featured in video format. The Bride's Best Friend also hosts an expert blog for active members to socialize and compare notes.

Ms. Stiles is an active member of the National Association of Professional Women and the Women's Leaders Forum, an organization that provides leadership, mentoring and educational opportunities to women of all ages. She supports Desert Cancer Foundation, Angel Flight West and Girlfriend Factors.

About Cambridge Who's Who
Cambridge Who's Who is an exclusive membership organization that recognizes and empowers executives, professionals and entrepreneurs throughout the world. From healthcare to law, engineering to finance, manufacturing to education, every major industry is represented by its 250,000 active members.

Cambridge Who's Who membership provides individuals with a valuable third party endorsement of their accomplishments and gives them the tools needed to brand themselves and their businesses effectively. In addition to publishing biographies in print and electronic form, Cambridge Who's Who offers an online networking platform where members can establish new business relationships and achieve career advancement within their company, industry or profession.

For more information, please see www.cambridgewhoswho.com