WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 2 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS SPOTLIGHT AMANDA GALINDO Amanda Galindo serves as the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM), where her leadership reflects a deep commitment to compassion, community, and transformation. With over 17 years of experience in nonprofit service and outreach, Amanda’s mission has always been clear: to meet people where they are, o er dignity, and create pathways to healing and hope. Her journey with CVRM began in direct service and outreach, where she witnessed firsthand the resilience of individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and trauma. Today, as Executive Director, Amanda continues to lead with heart and vision ensuring that CVRM remains a place where lives are not only restored but empowered. A strong advocate for women’s programs, Amanda has been instrumental in expanding CVRM’s services for women and children, providing safe shelter, long-term recovery opportunities, and life-skills training. She believes that when you invest in women, you invest in the future of families and communities. Amanda is passionate about collaboration, often working with civic leaders, faith-based groups, and philanthropic partners to strengthen the mission’s impact valley-wide. Her leadership style is rooted in faith, guided by purpose, and driven by the belief that every life has value. “It’s not about changing people it’s about loving them through their transformation. My hope is that everyone who walks through our doors sees the love of Christ in action.” She resides in the Coachella Valley with her family and is proud to serve a community she deeply loves. Amanda Galindo, Executive Director Coachella Valley Rescue Mission 47-470 Van Buren Street Indio, CA 92201 (760) 347-3512 agalindo@cvrm.org www.cvrm.org JESSICA BOWSER Desi Strong Foundation Vice President Making A Di erence Jessica became involved with the world of Pediatric Cancer in 2014 after her daughter’s classmate, Desirae Ava Grace Cechin, was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. Following Desi’s passing, her family created the Desi Strong Foundation to give back to the community that supported them throughout her journey. As Vice President, Jessica helps lead the Foundation’s eorts to raise funds in order to provide travel assistance for local families seeking treatment, distribute Desi Strong Therapy Dolls to comfort children, raise awareness for childhood cancer, and fund research in pursuit of better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. CINDY BURRESON Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert CEO Making A Di erence As President & CEO of Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, I believe every child deserves access to experiences that inspire curiosity, meaningful connections, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Over the past six years, I have led the museum through a remarkable transformation, expanding educational programs, strengthening community partnerships, increasing accessibility as a Certified Autism Center™, and creating opportunities for thousands of children and families to learn through play. My greatest joy is being sure that every child has the chance to discover their potential and dream bigger. JOAN BUSICK Girlfriend Factor Founder & CEO Making A Di erence This year the Girlfriend Factor is celebrating 20 years of impacting our local community, and by the end of the year will have given out $1 million in educational grants. Built upon the premise that education is the key to self-su¬ciency, and that women can accomplish anything they set their minds to when they have the support of their girlfriends, GFF provides renewable educational grants and emotional support to local adult women so they may improve their lives and the lives of their families. For GFF, it’s all about local funds for local women. PATRICIA CARRILLO Alianza Coachella Valley Director of Development & External Relations Making A Di erence Born and raised in the Coachella Valley, Patricia has over 14 years of experience driving local and global non-profit initiatives. As an avid public speaker, restorative justice practitioner, philanthropist, and mental health advocate, she is honored to serve her community as part of Alianza Coachella Valley and on the boards of Angel View and the AFP CA, Desert Communities Chapter. Through her work Patricia has been able to leverage and secure millions of dollars in funding to support policy & system change eorts, budget advocacy and direct service eorts. ANDREA CARTER Andrea Carter & Associates President/CEO Making A Di erence Blending charity involvement while providing marketing services to her clients has brought an extraordinary balance to Andrea Carter’s life. As PR director/board member for the Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, Andrea has helped raise more than $42 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is a past president for both Palm Springs Women in Film and Shelter From the Storm’s auxiliary. She’s served on the boards of DesertArc and Women Leaders Forum, and is on the board for Girlfriend Factor. Her nonprofit clients include Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs and Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert and Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine. NORMA CASTANEDA HR Advantage, LLC Founder Making A Di erence Education and healthcare have always been at the heart of Norma Castaneda’s community involvement. A longtime supporter of College of the Desert and its mission to expand educational opportunities, she is passionate about helping others achieve their goals. As COO of Fidelis Specialty Pharmacy and Founder of HR Advantage, Norma champions workforce development and access to quality healthcare. Through her involvement with the Eisenhower Health Foundation Board of Governors and Latinos in Philanthropy, she helps advance initiatives that strengthen the Coachella Valley and improve lives.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy