Women Who Lead Celebrates Outstanding Women  Making a Lasting Impact on the Community

Tickets are now on sale for the May 22 luncheon

This year’s event will take place on May 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, located at 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive. The May issue of Palm Springs Life will feature in-depth coverage of the event and honorees.

Held annually since 2013 Women Who Lead honors women who are creating meaningful change through their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to community betterment. The 2025 honorees include:

∙ Business Leader: Theresa Maggio, Senior Director of Annual Giving and Circle of Stars, Eisenhower Health Foundation

∙ Nonprofit Leader: Gana Wingard, Curator of Conservation for Mongolia, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

∙ Rising Star: Sharrissa Iqbal, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Palm Springs Art Museum

“Each year, Palm Springs Life celebrates a small group of women who serve as role models right here in the Coachella Valley — in business, in philanthropic efforts, and in the way they lead their lives. They’re making waves in our community, and we’re thrilled to provide a platform for their inspiring stories,” said Emily Chavous Foster, editor-in-chief of Palm Springs Life.

Valerie Powers Smith, a partner at SBEMP Attorneys, added, “Our firm has proudly supported ‘Women Who Lead’ since its inception because we believe in recognizing and uplifting the talented, dedicated women shaping our community. By celebrating their accomplishments, we shine a light on the vital role that professional women play in advancing our region’s economic and social well-being, and we pave the way for the next generation of female leaders.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Think Together, a nonprofit founded in 1997 that partners with Coachella Valley schools to provide academic support, early learning, and enrichment programs. Serving over 107,000 students across ten California counties, Think Together continues to inspire and educate the next generation.

The event’s Keynote Speaker is renowned actor and mental health  advocate Mädchen Amick, co-founder and president of the Don’t MiND Me Foundation, a Palm Springs-based nonprofit working to end  the stigma around mental illness and increase access to compassionate care. The foundation is currently developing a treatment center near the Palm Springs Air Museum.