The 2025 Leadership Retreat was designed as a restorative and reflective experience centered around the theme “Nurturing the Leader: Body, Mind & Spirit.” This retreat intentionally moved away from traditional training formats, aiming instead to create a meaningful space for self-reflection, community-building, and reconnection with purpose. Hosted at the Los Angeles Arboretum, the day combined elements of mindfulness, nature walks, storytelling, blessings, and dialogue to address leadership development through a heart-centered lens.
The retreat provided a rare opportunity for leaders to disconnect from daily demands and reconnect with their purpose. Many leaders indicated they will apply what they learned by incorporating mindfulness, intentional rituals, and reflection practices into their team meetings and supervision. The retreat helped normalize self-care as a leadership strength.
Per the after-event evaluations the theme was seen as deeply relevant and timely, especially amid the challenges leaders face balancing workloads and staff support.
“The overall theme of mind, body and spirit was a great topic. All the activities helped reinforce this theme.”
“This retreat reminded me that I need to model grace and patience — not just with my team but with myself.”
“It validated the heart-centered approach and Coaching from the Heart principles.”
The theme was felt through the design of the day and appreciated as a lived experience.
The retreat fostered vulnerability, mutual appreciation, and the sense of being part of a broader leadership community. Our definition of leadership development continues to expand to include wellness, ritual, play, and spaciousness — not just metrics, outcomes, and goals. By honoring this holistic approach, Penny Lane Centers can cultivate a culture where leaders thrive, where reflection is normalized, and where our values show up not just in what we do, but in how we do it.
Moving forward, it is essential that we carry the retreat’s spirit into the everyday rhythm of our work — through intentional practices, shared moments, and ongoing opportunities to pause and grow. With continued investment in heart-centered leadership, we ensure that the leaders of Penny Lane are not only equipped to guide others but also supported in caring for themselves.
When we nurture the leader, we nurture the system.
And when we lead from a place of wholeness, we transform lives — including our own.
