Benefits of diversity are hailed far and wide, yet we tend to associate with like-minded people. When we don’t move outside our regular circle, we risk staying in an ‘echo chamber’, in the words of Busch. In an echo chamber, our ideas and thoughts are not challenged, our perspective remains narrow.
The Serendipity Thought Leaders Retreat is our opportunity to transform this.
“It takes curiosity to learn. It takes courage to unlearn. Learning requires the humility to admit what you don't know today.” – Adam Grant.
I am keen to bring a small group of women (15-20) from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences together to create serendipity: find interesting, valuable ideas and perspectives by chance, generating conversation on wicked problems, led by thought leaders within our community.
This sort of deep thinking, reflecting and ideas generation cannot happen squeezed in between the busyness of everyday work and life events. So, I invite you to join me at a Queensland rainforest retreat, where you can unwind, re-energise and rejuvenate, spoil yourself a little, and enjoy enriching conversations with a diverse group of professional and executive women.
Your Retreat Host, Dr Vicki Webster
As an infopreneur, diagnostician of underlying causes of organisational issues, and ideas challenger, I enjoy connecting people with thought leadership; new ideas, upcoming trends and different perspectives on complex issues. As the founder and director of Incisive Leaders, I encourage executives and leaders to embrace new ways of leading and make the shifts necessary to lead at their best.
As a pracademic, I am interested in how research informs practice. I am an Adjunct Research Fellow with the Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) Centre at Griffith University and have worked as Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the Griffith Business School. I completed my research PhD on follower resilience to toxic leadership and published some of my findings in Stress and Health journal and The Conversation: Toxic Boss at Work. I co-authored Destructive Leadership in the Workplace and its Consequences with Professor Paula Brough.
I plan to host conversations where we share coaching techniques for the bright and dark side of leadership and to address systemic dysfunction at the individual, team and broader system level – however, if new thinking has serendipitously emerged by the time we get together I will share that!
Our Thought Leader Hosts include:
The future of work, Dr Libby Sander
Connecting with nature, Leah Hague
Creating a sustainable future for the planet, Leigh Staines
Neuroscience and women’s brains, Dr Sarah McKay
Connecting and empowering working mothers, Afrouz Shoghi
Creative solutions to homelessness for women, Claire McAuliffe (Ashman) and Sophie Griffiths
Retreat Host Profiles
The Future of Work with Dr Libby Sander
Libby is a leading thinker on understanding the future of work, and how we can reimagine work to live more meaningful and creative lives, to think differently about how traditional work and workspaces are designed and adopt a fresh, more sustainable approach. Her research has shown this is beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing, which in turn encourages more collaboration, creativity and growth. Libby will share emerging trends in organisations around the world.
libbysander.com
Creating a Sustainable Future with Leigh Staines
When you hear the word sustainable what does it mean to you?
Join me to hear about how a couple of engineers from the city have taken on a regenerative agriculture demonstration project that’s shaping our thinking about what’s possible when it comes to balancing people, profit and planet.
Benefits of Nature Connectedness with Leah Hague
Leah is a psychologist and the Wellbeing Lead for Children’s Health Queensland. Leah will share the key findings from her PhD research, where she is researching the link between nature contact and engagement with the natural environment and mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Women’s brain health with Dr Sarah McKay
Join neuroscientist Sarah in a conversation exploring the neuroscience of women’s brain health. With exciting new advances in technology and AI, global consortium sharing data, and Marie-Curie-style pioneering minds, a new generation of young female neuroscientists is finally asking and answering (!) some of the most pressing questions about women’s brain health. Discover how relationships, hormones, nature, nurture, and neuroplasticity combine to sculpt the female brain from puberty to pregnancy to menopause and beyond.
Connecting and Empowering Working Mothers with Afrouz Shoghi
As the founder of workHers, Afrouz is channelling her PhD research and personal experience into an exciting new business venture building a resource hub for working families and also creating a community where parents can share experiences, access intentional support, and find the tools they need to thrive at both work and home. Afrouz will share her passion and ideas about shaping a future where working mothers are better supported and empowered to succeed in all areas of their lives.
Seeking solutions for homelessness for women over 50 with Claire McAuliffe and Sophie Griffiths
Sophie and Claire’s project "Green Door" won the UQ Ventures Industry Challenge in November 2023. Using their combined skills of Design, Psychology, lived experience and Anthropology, their project focussed on proposing solutions to the housing crisis that particularly impacts women over 50. They are working to see this project blossom in Queensland and beyond.
Leaving a cult – how? With Claire McAuliffe (Ashman)
After spending the first 36 years of her life in two different Catholic sects, Claire walked away to begin living in a world that was foreign to her. Despite lacking knowledge, Claire forged ahead to create the life she lives today, beginning her first university degree in the Social Sciences at 51. She intends to conduct further research into the psychological effects on women who leave fundamental groups.
Restorative Coaching Conversations with Vicki Webster
I am joining the dots between team coaching and restorative practices for healing to identify a better way to resolve interpersonal conflict between leaders and colleagues. We know high performing teams need to engage in positive conflict and dialogue and in the passion of the moment this can tip over into interpersonal conflict. How can we effectively assist team members to resolve clashes and find a way to work together well?
Where:
The Pavilion, Tamborine Mountain Glades, Cedar Creek Rd, Mt Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland (next to Thunderbird Park)
Relax in the beautiful Vistas nestled in rainforest. Enjoy delicious food and wine at the Rainforest Restaurant & Lounge Bar or the Terrace Kiosk.
When:
From 2pm Wednesday 12 March to lunch Saturday 15 March 2025
What’s On:
A combination of serendipitous conversations facilitated by thought leaders, bush walks, group connection activities, free time to read a book, write, have a walk or swim, have a nap, enjoy a massage or just do nothing and chill!
Investment:
$2295 including GST per person, which includes the retreat thought leadership activities, 3 nights’ accommodation and meals from Wednesday dinner to Saturday lunch.