It felt as if “All the Girls in Town” were present at the Women Leaders Forum annual leadership conference held at Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.

Among the more than 240 guests were such often-dropped names as Jamie Bailey, Peggy Cravens, Denise DuBarry Hay, Gloria Greer, Samantha Lockwood, Kim Melzer, Patty Spicer, Susan Stein, Jan Harnik, Andrea Carter, Micaela Wilkey and Nancy Samuelson.

The all-day event was filled with fun and laughter but did not skirt the serious issues at hand. Nationally known speakers included:

Dr. William Larkin, author of “Growing the Positive Mind,” who made his points by using jellybeans and peanuts.

Mary Marcdante, author of “Live with Enthusiasm,” who demonstrated how fake and real laughter have the same positive effect.

Mimi Donaldson, author of “Bless Your Stress: It Means You're Still Alive,” re-energized the crowd after lunch with her “Power Up” techniques.

Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, co-founders of the “Kind Campaign,” spoke about the lasting effects of abuse within the “girl world.”

WLF past president Patti Gribow emceed the program in which Col. Pat M. Webb, United States Air Force Reserve, was presented with the “Breaking through the Glass Ceiling Award.”

Jane Tracey, a noted Broadway producer and mentor extraordinaire, accepted the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and Mary T. Roche, founder of the WLF desert chapter, presented the “Community Spirit” Award to Palm Springs Life magazine.

The double-header desert combined a chocolate delight with a fascinating panel emceed by Gribow, featuring life coach Jasenka Sabanovic; First California Bank executive Christy Majors; and the vice president of Integrated Wealth Management, Ressa Manning, who is the current president of WLF.

Their advice was inspirational to all guests, especially WLF's 20 Young Women Ambassadors, two from each local high school.

Conference sponsors included Jackie Lee Houston, The Desert Radio Group, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, First California Bank, Peggy Cravens, Integrated Wealth Management, Image Marketing Concepts, Silver Ink Communications, Miramonte Resort & Spa and Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa.

Leadership Conference co-chairwoman Cathy O'Connell added her words of wisdom, and Katie Finn Coleman, founder of Great Legs Wine Consulting, corked off the day with tips on selecting wines with confidence.

Judy Vossler is an executive with Landmark Golf and serves on numerous philanthropic boards. Reach her at (760) 776-6688 Ext. 233 or judyvossler@aol.com.