At Accelerate 2025, we look forward to creating an inspirational in-person retreat experience and safe space for women in travel to connect, build relationships, share experiences and learn new leadership skills together.
Program
(subject to change)
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Yoga (Optional)
9:00am
Emily Penfold Dailey
9:00am
Emily Penfold Dailey
Registration
11:00am-12:30pm
Flagship Ballroom
11:00am-12:30pm
Flagship Ballroom
Lunch, Registration & Introductions
12:00pm-12:45pm
12:00pm-12:45pm
Welcome
12:45pm - 1:45pm
with Rachel Vandenberg & Karen Laos
12:45pm - 1:45pm
with Rachel Vandenberg & Karen Laos
Break
1:45pm-2:00pm
1:45pm-2:00pm
Workshop #1
2:00pm - 3:45pm
Impacting your Sphere of Influence as a Leader
with Ann Fogolin
Leaders influence not only by what they say but by what they do. Leaders who consistently model
desired behaviours set a powerful example for their teams to follow. This influence shapes how
employees approach their work, interact with colleagues, and respond to challenges. Developing trust in
organizations is one of the most important—and challenging—tasks for leaders.Trust is a powerful force
that can drive engagement, productivity, and innovation, and leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating it.
Trust-building requires time, patience, and intentional effort, but the rewards—a loyal, motivated, and
high-performing workforce—are well worth the investment.
In this workshop focused on influence, the ultimate goal is to empower leaders to enhance their ability to
foster trust, build stronger relationships, and exercise influence in a positive and ethical manner. By the
end of the workshop, participants should experience a shift in awareness and behaviour that enables
them to build a culture of trust within their teams and enhance their leadership effectiveness. Leaders
will practice deeper active listening, giving their full attention to others during conversations. This
behaviour will include asking more open-ended questions, showing empathy, and validating others’
feelings and perspectives.They will respond to team members in ways that convey respect,
understanding, and support, which strengthens emotional connections and trust.
desired behaviours set a powerful example for their teams to follow. This influence shapes how
employees approach their work, interact with colleagues, and respond to challenges. Developing trust in
organizations is one of the most important—and challenging—tasks for leaders.Trust is a powerful force
that can drive engagement, productivity, and innovation, and leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating it.
Trust-building requires time, patience, and intentional effort, but the rewards—a loyal, motivated, and
high-performing workforce—are well worth the investment.
In this workshop focused on influence, the ultimate goal is to empower leaders to enhance their ability to
foster trust, build stronger relationships, and exercise influence in a positive and ethical manner. By the
end of the workshop, participants should experience a shift in awareness and behaviour that enables
them to build a culture of trust within their teams and enhance their leadership effectiveness. Leaders
will practice deeper active listening, giving their full attention to others during conversations. This
behaviour will include asking more open-ended questions, showing empathy, and validating others’
feelings and perspectives.They will respond to team members in ways that convey respect,
understanding, and support, which strengthens emotional connections and trust.
Break
3:45pm - 4:00pm
3:45pm - 4:00pm
The Coaching Skills for Leaders workshop is an interactive program designed to help both emerging
and seasoned leaders develop a coach-approach to leadership. The workshop equips participants with
the skills and mindset necessary to enhance engagement, communication, and innovation within their
teams and organizations. By fostering a culture rooted in collaboration and connectivity, leaders can
inspire individuals to excel and more fully collaborate to the team’s goals. Participants of this program
will have the opportunity to improve key coaching skills, such as active listening, asking insightful
questions, and using language that acknowledges and empowers others. These skills support create
an environment of safety and trust, where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute
with their best work. By focusing on the human side of leadership, the workshop also emphasizes the
importance of identifying personal values and strengths, enabling participants to align their actions
with their goals and commitments. Grounded in the professional standards of the International
Coaching Federation, the workshop combines both mindset and skill development to support leaders
build deeper connections with their teams, ultimately, fostering a leadership approach that prioritizes
the well-being and growth of individuals, empowering them to contribute more meaningfully to the
team’s projects and maximize performance. This powerful blend of coaching techniques and
leadership principles enables leaders to create an environment where everyone thrives while business
outcomes improve.
and seasoned leaders develop a coach-approach to leadership. The workshop equips participants with
the skills and mindset necessary to enhance engagement, communication, and innovation within their
teams and organizations. By fostering a culture rooted in collaboration and connectivity, leaders can
inspire individuals to excel and more fully collaborate to the team’s goals. Participants of this program
will have the opportunity to improve key coaching skills, such as active listening, asking insightful
questions, and using language that acknowledges and empowers others. These skills support create
an environment of safety and trust, where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute
with their best work. By focusing on the human side of leadership, the workshop also emphasizes the
importance of identifying personal values and strengths, enabling participants to align their actions
with their goals and commitments. Grounded in the professional standards of the International
Coaching Federation, the workshop combines both mindset and skill development to support leaders
build deeper connections with their teams, ultimately, fostering a leadership approach that prioritizes
the well-being and growth of individuals, empowering them to contribute more meaningfully to the
team’s projects and maximize performance. This powerful blend of coaching techniques and
leadership principles enables leaders to create an environment where everyone thrives while business
outcomes improve.
Break
5:30pm - 6:15pm
5:30pm - 6:15pm
6:15pm - 7:15pm
Cocktails & Conversation
Carriage House
with Special Guests
Nancy Mendelson & Rachel Humphrey
On the first evening of the Accelerate retreat, we all gather – cocktails (or mocktails) in hand-- as hertelier Co-Founder & Columnist, Nancy Mendelson, chats with an inspiring and well-respected industry leader.
What begins as a one-on-one interview morphs into such an interactive, engaging and lively conversation between the audience and our guest, that you might find yourself wishing it would never end!
We are thrilled to invite Rachel Humphrey as this year’s Cocktails & Conversation guest. Through Rachel’s conversation with interviewer, Nancy Mendelson, this inspiring leader shares her reflections on life,
career development, and her invaluable advice for maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic.
What begins as a one-on-one interview morphs into such an interactive, engaging and lively conversation between the audience and our guest, that you might find yourself wishing it would never end!
We are thrilled to invite Rachel Humphrey as this year’s Cocktails & Conversation guest. Through Rachel’s conversation with interviewer, Nancy Mendelson, this inspiring leader shares her reflections on life,
career development, and her invaluable advice for maintaining a positive attitude and work ethic.
Dinner & Dessert
7:15pm - 8:30pm
Carriage House
After Dinner Drinks, Free Choice, Rest
8:30pm -
8:30pm -
Friday, April 11, 2025
Morning Exercise or Rest
6:30am-7:15am
6:30am-7:15am
Breakfast
7:00am-8:00am
Camp Restaurant
Welcome Back
8:00am-8:15am
Flagship Ballroom
8:00am-8:15am
Flagship Ballroom
Presentation
8:15am - 8:45am
13 Lessons from Taylor Swift
The Business Women
with Lan Elliot
Are you ready to transform self-doubt into unshakable confidence? This immersive workshop is designed
to help women step fully into their power. If you're tired of being overlooked and ready to claim your
rightful seat at the table, this game-changing session will equip you with the communication tools you
need to succeed. Through practical strategies and interactive exercises, you'll discover the hidden ways
women unknowingly diminish their power – and more importantly, how to reclaim it. You'll learn to
speak with authority, advocate for yourself effectively, and command the recognition you deserve. This
isn't just about theory – you'll walk away with actionable strategies you can implement immediately to
enhance your presence and influence. You'll uncover the seven most common ways women unknowingly
sabotage themselves in business settings—and more importantly, learn exactly how to overcome them.
Karen will reveal powerful yet underutilized communication techniques that can instantly elevate your
credibility and influence. You'll discover how small language shifts, including a surprising two-letter word,
can dramatically impact how others perceive and respond to you. Imagine walking into every meeting
radiating such authentic confidence that nothing can shake you. Picture yourself as the influential leader
others admire and seek out for guidance. If you're ready to stop playing small and start showing up as
your most powerful self, this workshop will show you how. Reserve your spot to begin your journey from
self-doubt to unstoppable confidence.
to help women step fully into their power. If you're tired of being overlooked and ready to claim your
rightful seat at the table, this game-changing session will equip you with the communication tools you
need to succeed. Through practical strategies and interactive exercises, you'll discover the hidden ways
women unknowingly diminish their power – and more importantly, how to reclaim it. You'll learn to
speak with authority, advocate for yourself effectively, and command the recognition you deserve. This
isn't just about theory – you'll walk away with actionable strategies you can implement immediately to
enhance your presence and influence. You'll uncover the seven most common ways women unknowingly
sabotage themselves in business settings—and more importantly, learn exactly how to overcome them.
Karen will reveal powerful yet underutilized communication techniques that can instantly elevate your
credibility and influence. You'll discover how small language shifts, including a surprising two-letter word,
can dramatically impact how others perceive and respond to you. Imagine walking into every meeting
radiating such authentic confidence that nothing can shake you. Picture yourself as the influential leader
others admire and seek out for guidance. If you're ready to stop playing small and start showing up as
your most powerful self, this workshop will show you how. Reserve your spot to begin your journey from
self-doubt to unstoppable confidence.
Renewal Break
10:30am - 11:00am
10:30am - 11:00am
Personal leadership starts with being intentional about your growth and career development. This
interactive workshop is designed to help you define your unique leadership career vision and build a
clear, actionable path to achieve it. Whether you’re seeking to lead with greater clarity, elevate your
impact, or advance your career, this session will empower you with the tools and strategies to align your
goals with your aspirations.
Through guided exercises and reflection, you’ll craft a personal leadership vision statement that inspires
and motivates you. We’ll explore how to identify barriers that may be holding you back and uncover
opportunities to leverage your strengths and resources. Finally, you’ll create a growth plan with
actionable, achievable goals that serve as stepping stones toward your vision.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear understanding of where you want to go in your
leadership journey and a roadmap to help you get there. You’ll leave with renewed confidence, a focused
direction, and practical strategies to stay on track. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or aspiring to grow,
this workshop offers valuable insights and tools for achieving personal and professional success.
interactive workshop is designed to help you define your unique leadership career vision and build a
clear, actionable path to achieve it. Whether you’re seeking to lead with greater clarity, elevate your
impact, or advance your career, this session will empower you with the tools and strategies to align your
goals with your aspirations.
Through guided exercises and reflection, you’ll craft a personal leadership vision statement that inspires
and motivates you. We’ll explore how to identify barriers that may be holding you back and uncover
opportunities to leverage your strengths and resources. Finally, you’ll create a growth plan with
actionable, achievable goals that serve as stepping stones toward your vision.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a clear understanding of where you want to go in your
leadership journey and a roadmap to help you get there. You’ll leave with renewed confidence, a focused
direction, and practical strategies to stay on track. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or aspiring to grow,
this workshop offers valuable insights and tools for achieving personal and professional success.