Desert Charities - Women in Philanthropy - Oct-Nov-Dec 2023

Norma Castaneda HR Advantage Founder Making A Dierence Education has always been a top priority for Norma. While working at Bighorn she established the Bighorn Golf Club Charities Scholarship program and fundraised for COD’s Veterans Resource Center. As a proud COD Foundation Board member, she will be co-chairing 2024’s Stepping Out for COD. As a healthcare advocate, COO for Fidelis Specialty Pharmacy and Founder of HR Advantage, she serves on Eisenhower Health’s Latinos in Philanthropy Advisory Board and has served on Palm Springs Art Museum’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force. In May, Palm Springs Life’s Women Who Lead recognized Norma for her business vision and leadership. Andrea Carter Andrea Carter & Associates President / CEO Making A Dierence Blending charity involvement with her client work has brought an extraordinary balance to Andrea’s life. As the pro bono PR Director for the Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, Andrea has helped raise more than $26 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is currently the President of Palm Springs Women in Film & Television, and serves on the Advisory Boards for Girlfriend Factor, Women Leaders Forum and Old Town Artisan Studios. Previously, she’s served on the Boards of Desert Arc and Shelter From the Storm’s Sheltering Sisters. Her nonprofit clients include Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs and the American Friends of Our Armed Forces. Darcy Carozza Palm Springs Dance Project Executive Director Making A Dierence Be the change you want to see in the world. I have steadfastly practiced this over the 40+ years I have lived in Palm Springs, and in 2016 I made a bold move to thoroughly commit myself to it. I founded what is now a non-profit organization -The Palm Springs Dance Project, made of and for the communi- ty. We foster the growth of a thriving dance community through unique and collaborative dance education, performance, and commu- nity engagement projects, and provide grants for underserved youth. Dance’s power on community is transformative; improving mental, physical and emotional well-being, and evolving integration and equality. Darla Burkett Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Executive Director Making A Dierence For me I believe we are born to help others. This has been my goal all my life. I love working with people that need a hand up. Every day at CVRM brings me tremendous joy in assisting people reach their personal goals, nothing is better. Gailya Brown Fundraising Solutions Consultant Making A Dierence My focus during the past year has been on help- ing organizations recover and move forward as we emerged from the restrictions of the pan- demic. Fortunately, our donors have remained supportive, making it possible for organizations to continue to fulfill their mission. I believe that now, more than ever, nonprofit organizations are key to bringing the community together and helping to build a spirit of belonging again. Whether it is the performing arts, education, or direct services that are o’ered, these organiza- tions have set us on a path back to “normal,” however that looks in a post-pandemic world. Cynthia Breunig Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio President and CEO Making A Dierence Like 50 million women across the country, I was a Girl Scout. That is where I learned to be a leader and to be of service in my community. For 111 years Girl Scouts has been building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place because empowered women of good character are an unstoppable force for good. Today, more than 1,000 girls and hundreds of troop leaders live in the Coachella Valley. The girls gain leadership skills while having fun going to camp, earning badges, traveling all over the world, selling delicious Girl Scout cookies, and giving back to their community. Alison Elsner Alison Elsner was honored to accept the position of CEO of the San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS) in 2015, the regional arm of the mega-powerful California Medical Association (CMA). The mission is simple while the work is complex: promote the science and art of medicine, protection of public health, the betterment of the medical profession and achievement of health equity and justice. SBCMS and CMA, with over 50,000 members, provide comprehensive practice tools, services and support including legislative, legal, regulatory, economic and social advocacy. Combining extensive political and legislative experience with financial management, public aairs and community relations backgrounds, Alison finds purpose in representing the advancement of policies that empower physicians (MDs and DOs) to thrive in practice, especially during a period of increased physician shortages and the need to ensure equity and access in patient care. Working towards increased Medi-Cal and Medicaid reimbursements for providers as well as strengthening graduate medical education opportunities to create more residency training programs are top priorities. After graduating with a B.A. in political science from USC, Alison worked for U.S. Senator Pete Wilson in Washington, D.C. and California Governor Pete Wilson in the Sacramento. This was followed by her work for California Governor Gray Davis, leading to positions in non-profit leadership. Stability of healthcare costs and delivery of high quality medical care with improved outcomes and access for all California patients are critical for California. For Alison, there’s truly no greater calling. Alison Elsner Chief Executive Officer (CEO) San Bernardino County Medical Society 1859 W. Redlands Blvd. Redlands, CA 92373 760-413-5053-cell/work aelsner@sbcms.org www.sbcms.org WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 3 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS SPOTLIGHT