Indian Wells, CA
Nominated by Lori Sarner, DW’96 and Catherine Eklund Mares, DW’03. Prior to becoming Mayor, she served 10 years on the Indian Wells City Council; Riverside County Transportation Commission; Coachella Valley Conservation Commission; CVAG Energy and Environment Commission; CVAG Public Safety Commission; and the Federal Advisory Commission for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. She also served as president of the Riverside County League of Cities. She founded the Women Leader’s Forum of the Coachella Valley, the Indian Wells Historic Preservation Foundation; and the Homeowners/Residents Association on Indian Wells. Her involvement with community service organizations includes Shelter from the Storm; Tools for Tomorrow; Regional Access Project; Olive Crest; Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped; College of the Desert Foundation; University of California Riverside Desert Lyceum, and CBS2 Advisory Board. She has received numerous awards between 2005-2010 for her community leadership. An educator and businesswoman, she retired from Los Angeles Community College District after 25 years as both an administrator and professor. She founded and served as CEO/President of Linens Unlimited II, a retail bed and bath chain in CA. She earned a Masters of Arts degree in educational administration from California State University.
