Linda Herold, founder of West Valley Women, welcomed the attendees to Tuesday’s luncheon meeting saying, “2008 is going to be a great year. We’re entering our third year, and we’ll celebrate our third anniversary in July.”

Likewise, administrator Lisa Platt greeted the roomful of women at SKYE Fine Dining in Peoria and introduced the organization’s director and ambassadors for 2008.

Surprise’s own Kate Cox, community relations director and operational manager of Heard Museum West, was named West Valley Women’s director for 2008, following Sharon E. Ravenscroft in 2005, Karen Wellert in 2006 and Victoria Bushnell in 2007.

Cox introduced the women who will serve as the organization’s ambassadors for the year. She commented on the connections she has with each of the three ambassadors saying, “It’s not six degrees of separation anymore, it’s more like one degree.”

The 2008 ambassadors are Paulette Goldman, who is information center manager for Estrella by Newland Communities, Christine Siler, president and CEO of Advanced Computer Performance, and Sharon Levinson, a volunteer with the nonprofit Careers through Culinary Arts program in Arizona.

West Valley Women is a social networking organization for women who live and/or work in the West Valley. It is the third such organization founded by Herold, joining Women of Scottsdale and Central Phoenix Women. The monthly luncheon meetings provide women an opportunity to meet, socialize and network, creating relationships that are not based solely on business interests.

For information on West Valley Women, visit www.westvalleywomen.org, or contact Platt at lisa@westvalleywomen.org or 602-235-2370.