May, 2014 – Covert CIA Officer to Speak at Luncheon

COVERT CIA OPERATIONS OFFICER TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL LUNCHEON

West Palm Beach, FL, April 23, 2014 – Executive Women of the Palm Beaches has announced this year’s keynote speaker is former CIA Operations Officer, Valerie Plame. “We are elated to have a speaker with such a dynamic story,” said Co-Chair of the event Natalie Alvarez, Market Manager and Vice President for the Southeast Florida region of First Southern Bank, of the luncheon. “This annual awards program recognizes exemplary women in Palm Beach County who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements and leadership; Valerie’s story complements these women.”

As a covert CIA Operations Officer, Valerie Plame worked to protect America’s national security and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Without warning, in 2003 she found herself at the heart of a political firestorm when senior White House and State Department officials revealed her secret status to several national journalists – including a syndicated conservative newspaper columnist who published her name.

Since her covert identity was compromised, Plame has become a public advocate and respected authority on issues of national security, nuclear proliferation, and politics. She is the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House, which was released as a major motion picture of the same name, and Blowback which was released in October 2013.

Honorary chair for the annual Women In Leadership Awards luncheon is Palm Beach philanthropist, Frances Fisher. “Frances is an extraordinary woman whose kindness has touched us all,” said Co-Chair of the event Charlotte Pelton, President of Charlotte Pelton and Associates, Inc. “Through our Foundation, Frances has funded a scholarship for Palm Beach Atlantic University students.”

Frances Fisher is a dedicated volunteer, advocate and supporter of many charitable organizations in Palm Beach County. She has served in numerous leadership roles in the last 16 years for local organizations including the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, Norton Museum of Art, Center for Family Services, YWCA Harmony House, and Historical Society of Palm Beach County. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, and Palm Beach Day Academy. She is the Founding Chairman of the newly formed Gardens Conservancy at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and co-chairman of Great Expectations Capital Campaign at Palm Beach Day Academy.  Her outstanding service to the community was recognized by Palm Beach Atlantic University with the “Woman of Distinction” Award in 2006.

Prior to moving to Palm Beach, Ms. Fisher was appointed to serve in the West Wing of the White House as a Special Assistant to the Counsel for President George H.W. Bush and member of the First Lady Advance Team for Barbara Bush. Mrs. Fisher is the co-founder of the National Environmental Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.

The Women in Leadership Awards program raises funds to help promising young women in our community pursue their dream of a college education, and supports the Lois Kwasman Grant for Community Impact. The Grant is awarded to an organization whose work makes a profound difference in the lives of girls and young women in the community.

The luncheon, which is one of the county’s most successful community events, will be held this year on May 1st at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. CBS 12 News Anchor, Liz Quirantes is this year’s Emcee, and sponsors for the event includes:  Presenting: Florida Power & Light; Sponsor Underwriter: The Gardens Conservancy at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens; and Grand Benefactors: PANDORA™ Stores, and PNC Bank; Patron Sponsors: Susan L. Peterson in Honor of Frances Fisher, Hoffman’s Chocolate, and Wilmington Trust.

For more information on the event, please log onto: www.EWPB.org or call 561-868-7070.