Joan Busick

President and Co-Founder

Joan is a Certified Public Accountant with her own accounting firm in Palm Desert, California specializing in working with women. She is the author of Surviving Beyond Happily Ever After, a guide for women who are not prepared to handle life on their own, and a public speaker on the relationship between women, finances and power. In 2009 Joan received the Riverside County Commission for Women’s Woman of the Year Award as a woman who has made notable contributions that improve the lives of women and families in the county, and the City of Palm Desert Athena Award for her unmatched commitment and contribution to the community.s

“Ever since I returned to school years ago, faced with raising two little boys and very few financial resources, I have been fasinated with the common threads that run through all women's lives. We have so much to offer each other and we have so much potential to tap into. It's simply time to give back and assist other women in reaching their dreams.” Contact Joan

Cindy Duffy

Cindy is Director of Marketing and Communications at Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers in Palm Desert. She originally moved to the Valley in 1995, spending three years managing leisure marketing efforts for Marriott’s Desert Springs and Rancho Las Palmas Resorts. After 20 years in the hotel industry, Cindy worked for Starbucks before returning to her home town of Pittsburgh, PA to obtain a culinary degree from the Le Cordon Bleu program. She returned to the desert in 2005 and, having lived in 11 different cities, has no plans to move again in the near future.

What Cindy loves about The Girlfriend Factor is that it enables her to help other women become independent like her. She is still single and has lots of advice about how to make it on your own and have fun doing it! Contact Cindy

Jan Harnik

Jan has been a desert resident since 1977. She believes that education is the foundation for the growth and prosperity of our community and has worked with several organizations to support that principle. A Palm Desert High School Foundation board member since 2003, she is currently the President, has served on the Board and the Scholarship Committee for National Charity League, worked for the American Heart Association and with Desert Cancer Foundation.

Raising four daughters has provided a clear illustration of the importance of lending a hand, developing self-reliance and always "remembering who you are".

Contact Jan

Diana Herrington

Vice President

Diana has worked with families in various settings over the last twenty-eight years. She has a Master's Degree in Counseling, Parent Community Work, and Administration of Programs for Young Children. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Palm Desert, CA.

Diana has taught child development at graduate and undergraduate levels for Chapman University, College of the Desert, and Pasadena City College. She was also a founding Board member of the local chapter of California Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact Diana

Kara Robinson

Kara is the Account Manager for Ram Home Warranty. Prior to moving to the Desert in 2005, Kara was the Director of the YWCA Santa Monica / Westside and, prior to that, Development Director for the Salesian Boys & Girls Club located in East Los Angeles. Kara is married to Scott Robinson the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City. They have two children Tyler and Noelle. Kara is from a family of six children and parents who have been married for over 55 years. She is an active member of the California Desert Association of REALTORS, Palm Springs Board of Realtors, Women’s Council of Realtors, a volunteer with The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City. One of the guiding principles in Kara’s life is captured in the Margaret Mead quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Maggie Nugent Schmidt

Secretary

Maggie is a Realtor with Windermere Real Estate in Coachella Valley. Prior to moving to the desert in 2004 she owned her own business in San Francisco, which designed and imported tableware and home accessories from several countries. Since moving to the desert Maggie has been looking for a sense of community and a way of giving back; the Girlfriend Factor has provided those opportunities for both things to happen. Her high energy and passion for "getting things done" have been valuable resources for helping to expand and grow the Girl Friend Factor. Contact Maggie

Katie Sween

Treasurer

Katie has recently moved to La Quinta from Northern Calif where she retired from Agilent Technologies/Hewlett Packard after a 30-year career as a Human Resources Executive. She served 6 years on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Santa Clara County and 2 terms as the president. Her experience, knowledge and abilities bring value to the board and the organization.

Katie received her degree while working full-time and raising her two sons. This contributes to her passion for the mission of the GFF.Contact Katie