In May, about 200 guests gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, for a luncheon hosted by Palm Springs Life to celebrate local Women Who Lead.
The annual event, presented by SBEMP Attorneys, honors Coachella Valley women who make an impact in business, philanthropy, and the community at large. During the Champagne reception, attendees mingled and made new friends, pausing to browse the Lanvin and Loewe pop-up shops courtesy of Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Additional sponsors included Agim Salon and Lotus Garden Center.
Then came the main event.
Emmy-winning journalist Brooke Beare, now marketing director at BIGHORN Golf Club, emceed the uplifting afternoon. After a three-course lunch focused on springtime ingredients — with wine from Bouchaine Vineyards, known for their all-women winemaking crew — actor and mental health advocate Mädchen Amick (of Twin Peaks and Riverdale) offered a moving keynote speech. She spoke about the journey that led her family to found the locally based nonprofit Don’t Mind Me and their current efforts to build a mental health center in Palm Springs that will offer long-term care.
The 2025 Women Who Lead closed the afternoon with stories about the experiences and inspirations that led them to where they are today. Theresa Maggio of the Eisenhower Health Foundation (Business Leader) took the stage first, followed by Gana Wingard of The Living Desert (Nonprofit Leader) and Sharrissa Iqbal, a former associate curator with Palm Springs Art Museum (Rising Star).
Brooke Beare and Gana Wingard.
Brooke Beare and Mädchen Amick.
Carl Maggio, Theresa Maggio, Katherine Johnson, and Barry Johnson.
We asked them to share a piece of advice that has helped them on their own journeys to leadership positions. Here’s what they had to say.
Theresa Maggio, Business Leader: “True business leadership is really taking advantage of your entire team’s toolbox of talents and creating innovation and ingenuity with it.”
Gana Wingard, Nonprofit Leader: “It takes courage and resilience and passion. But if you lead with kindness and purpose, the right people will find you.”
Sharrissa Iqbal, Rising Star: “Sometimes it can be difficult to imagine yourself in positions of power and leadership, but if you believe in yourself and your dreams — and you’re inspired — you can make great things happen.”
Brooke Beare and Theresa Maggio.
Brooke Beare and Sharissa Iqbal.
Bruna and Agim Rakipi.
Clauida Vasquez and Gabriela Urrutia.
Erin Scott, Valerie Powers Smith, Christine Stein.
Norma Castaneda, Tracy Blawsky, Ramraghi Fuller, and Hoojung Lee.
Yvonne Garcia Gabrera, Gana Wingard, Melissa Berg, and Mariam Bishay.
Barry Johnson, Katherine Johnson, and Carl Maggio.
Bill Mejia and Shay Moraga.
Jolina Adams, Susan Stein, and Valerie Powers Smith.
Debby Nelson and Rhonda Larson.
Gisela Colon and Sharissa Iqbal.
Mary Strong, Erin Hyland, and Allison Krupp.
