About Us
The Literary Society of the Desert is a non-profit organization that was established in 2015 to continue a tradition of literary luncheons in the Valley. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, approved by the IRS and the California Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Division. FEIN 47-4859052
Through the generosity of our Sponsors, Patrons, Benefactors, and Members we provide programs and financial support to promote literacy and the love of reading in our community.
Each season, at each of our five luncheon programs LSD hosts two tables of students from local high schools or colleges and present them the opportunity for small group conversation with our Guest Author. We also provide annual special project grants to every public library in the Coachella Valley. These programs are facilitated through the generosity of our Benefactors, Patrons and Sponsors.
The Literary Society of the Desert is managed by its dedicated volunteer Board with professional assistance contracted for fiscal accountability and membership services.
OFFICERS
Joanne R. Mintz Founding Board Member President  | A native New Yorker, Joanne was educated in Brooklyn Public Schools venturing to Ohio for her graduate studies. During her professional career she was a Psychologist for delinquent girls, Executive Vice President of Weight Watchers of Northern California and Greater Los Angeles, Administrator at Children's Health Council at Stanford, and owned and operated Antique Stores. In 2000 Joanne and her husband, Myron, relocated to the desert where they have been major supporters of Jewish Family Service, Ophelia Project, Hidden Harvest, CVRep, Dezart, McCallum, Circle of Stars at Eisenhower , and City of Hope. A life long lover of books Joanne co-founded the Santa Rosa Readers in 2001. |
Susan K. (Suz) Hunt Vice President and Secretary | Suz Hunt retired after a 35-year career at Woodruff-Sawyer which was one of the largest privately held insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the US. It was headquartered in SanFrancisco and while working there, she served as the President of the firm for the last 12 years and was recognized by the San Francisco Business Times for 3 years as one of the Bay Area’s Most Influential Women. Since retiring Ms. Hunt has been very active in the community serving on various boards including ACT for MS (Past President), Palm Springs International Piano Competition (former the Waring), World Affairs Council of the Desert, College of the Desert (Past President). In addition to The Living Desert, she is also involved with the Literary Society of the Desert and the McCallum Education Committee. |
  Myron Mintz Co- Treasurer |
Myron Mintz is a native New Yorker, raised in Wilmington, Delaware. A veteran of the United States Air Force and graduate of the California College of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Mintz operated a private medical practice in Northern California for 25 years. He and his wife, Joanne, relocated to the desert in 2000 where have been active members of the community since their arrival. Myron served on the HOA Boards of PGA West and another La Quinta community prior to relocating to Rancho Mirage. He has an active interest in real estate and investing and is happy to bring that expertise to the LSD Board.
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Joe Basak Co - Treasurer | Joe Basak currently serves as CFO for the Coachella Valley Repertory and is Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Pegasus Therapeutic Riding. Before relocating to Rancho Mirage from Long Islad, New York, Joe was the Manager of Financial Reporting for Volt information sciences where he prepared SEC filings, quarterly and annual reports (10Qs and 10Ks). He started his career as the Accounting Manager for CBS News in NYC. Joe holds a degree in Finance from Baruch College, and studied international money and banking at the University of Madrid in Spain. He returned to Baruch for his Masters at the Zicklin School of Business. |
Tim Radigan-Brophy Menus and Venues | A "Midwesterner" by birth but a Desert dweller by choice! Tim has been a resident of the Coachella Valley since 1996.He originally joined “Desert Literary” when it was sponsored by Northern Trust and became a Founding Patron of the new LSD organization when it was founded in 2016. Tim is a active officer with the Soroptimist House of Hope, member of the Palm Springs Pet Cemetery Board and a member of the Board of DHS Renaissance Group. He collects Midwest artists and decorative glass. Tim lives in Palm Desert with his husband of 16 years, Kevin Parker. |
Christine Metz Library Program Coordinator | Chris Metz, a Buffalo, NY native, enjoyed a diverse career across the U.S. health care industry. She pioneered the growth of innovative consumer technology companies and held senior executive positions at Anthem Blue Cross and The Travelers. As a principal at Mercer, Chris consulted with Fortune 500 companies. She was also on the Advisory Board of the Center of Health Care Management & Policy at UC Irvine’s Business School. In San Francisco, Chris was on the Board of the Friends & Foundation of the Public Library. During her 20 years here, she has served on the Boards of the Mission Hills Employee Scholarship Fund, the Western Art Council at PSAM and Tools for Tomorrow. Chris is married to Michael Gennet. |
Student Program Coordinator | Danielle is a second generation member of the Literary Society of the Desert. Retired from a corporate career as Regional & International Marketing Director for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Danielle is conversational in several European languages. She also has a residential real estate license. Danielle has chaired and served on the boards of numerous volunteer organizations for over thirty years, including educational, civic and philanthropic. In addition to a love of reading and her book club she plays duplicate bridge. Danielle loves all the desert has to offer: golf, hiking, pickleball and especially the programs and mission of the LSD. |
ADVISORY COUNCIL |
Marge Dodge Public Relations | Marge Dodge is a member of the Literary Society of the Desert Advisory Board. Her passions are education, literacy and the arts, and serves on four local non-profit boards promoting those areas of interest. She belongs to two book discussion groups and is a guest reporter for the Desert Sun. |
 Sharyn McKee Volunteer Coordinator | Sharyn is originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has now lived in Rancho Mirage for 25 years. She was a member of the Desert Literary Society and a founding member of the Literary Society of the Desert. She has also been on the board of the COD Friends of the Library for countless years. She has a Masters Degree in Asian Studies, with a specialization in Japanese Language and Literature. A retired librarian and member of 12 book clubs, Sharyn has always viewed reading as her favorite pastime. She loves to meet authors, as she has no ability to write. As volunteer coordinator, she is always looking for more volunteers. |
ADMINISTRATION | Address: 75280 Highway 111, Suite 101-8, Indian Wells, CA 92210 Phone: 760-601-5858 |
2025-2026 MEMBERSHIP |
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* FOUNDING SPONSOR |
PATRONS
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LIBRARY BENEFACTORS
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