
Leadership
Retreat & Summit
For Women in Comms, Marketing & HR
September 17-19, 2025
The Balboa Bay Resort,
Newport Beach, CA
Experience a leadership event like no other!
This unique summit is designed for leaders looking to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and put ideas into action. Leave the chaos behind and join us for a highly inspiring, thought-provoking, and relaxing gathering in a beautiful setting.
Tap into the collective wisdom of high-achieving peers as our guest speakers and fellow attendees tackle topics ranging from brand storytelling and crisis management to business fluency, technology innovation and adaptive leadership.
The Ragan team designed this 2.5-day summit with a healthy mix of candid conversations, problem-solving, workshopping ideas, sharing successes (and failures), plus great food, entertainment, relaxation and connecting at a level you just can’t get from your typical conference.
Exclusive Activities & Takeaways, including:
- Get a Professional or Personal Headshot
- Meet with a financial planning expert
- Learn some tricks with an organization guru
- Gain critical insights with our self-assessment tool
- Get media trained and have a chance to take the big stage
- And take home lots of great swag!
The Summit will allow you to expand your skills and comfort zone in an individualized way.
With your business hat on, you’ll:
- Gain new skills & business ideas to elevate or simply boost your career satisfaction
- Have the chance to present on stage and in groups as a thought leader
- Get an MBA crash course, such as business speak for non-financial people
- Learn how to position yourself for a (paid) board seat
- Hear from inspirational and courageous leaders in their field
- Sharpen your own strategic thinking and outline the path to goals
- Find your flow in and out of the office
With your business hat off, you’ll:
- Make new contacts and forge new friendships
- Enjoy wellness activities that soothe your brain and body
- Have the license to focus on yourself
- Have some good old-fashioned, unplugged fun
- Indulge your senses with delicious food and offerings in a pristine setting.
You’ll experience a mix of candid, curated conversations among top women and inspirational guest speakers as we explore:
- Leading through change and uncertainty
- Comms strategies in the age of AI and short attention spans
- Talent retention
- Elevating your storytelling skills
- Next-level skills and competencies for leaders and their teams
- C-suite comms strategies
- The economics of comms – a new framework for tying your efforts to the bottom line
- Negotiation skills
- Managing up, down and all around
- PLUS: bring your challenges and questions to the group as we tap into the collective wisdom of leading women in comms
This retreat is designed to help you think differently, make new connections and return with ideas and inspiration to lift your business and well-being. We’ve traded in the slide decks for peer-to-peer conversations and featured speakers with an outside and outsized view on enlightening topics, be it storytelling, business acumen, leadership, or creativity.
Day 1: Wednesday, September 17
- Attendees arrive by 2pm
- 3pm: Registration and Welcome + Casual Networking
- 3:30-4:45pm: Group Activity
Join your fellow attendees in a fun kickoff activity that includes lawn yoga, Legos and delicious refreshments. - 6-7:45pm: Networking Reception
As we kick off the Summit, meet new friends and hear from a few experts, including communications executive and master networker Katherine Cheng, who will share her proven strategies for enhancing your networking skills and building authentic connections that last. - 8pm: Sound Bath led by Ragan Wellness Coach Karianne Michelle
Day 2: Thursday, September 18
- 7:30-8am: Yoga for All (no experience required – come stretch with your new friends!)
- 8-8:45am: Networking Breakfast
- 8:45-9am: Opening Remarks and Wellness activity
This isn’t an ordinary agenda. Our time together will be in-depth and interactive. You’ll have a chance to learn with, from, and alongside each other. There will be deep learning followed by practical application of how to turn ideas into tailed action. The retreat is designed for your brain and body so enjoy activities and open time to make the most of this experience. - 9-9:45am: Meet the Moment
The Summit opens with an electrifying keynote conversation designed to set you on a path to success—both professionally and personally. Join Alena Olsen, captain of the Headliners women’s rugby team and a bronze medalist for Team USA Rugby at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as she shares her playbook for achieving excellence and fostering team motivation. Discover how Alena’s innovative accountability system helps her navigate conflicts with confidence and hear the inspiring story of how she led her teammates to produce a powerful video urging fans to sign the Global Climate Pledge. This conversation will reveal the remarkable parallels between competing as a world-class athlete and thriving as a top business performer, showing you how to harness the same principles to elevate your own success. - 9:50-10:40am: Leading Through the Turn: Navigating Change in Uncertain Times
Elise Mitchell, communications leader, consultant and author of “Leading through the Turn” will open up new ways of thinking about change and your professional and personal journey. During this immersive session, you’ll discover better tools to handle challenges and smarter ways to lead your team and your life. - 10:40-10:55am: Break
- 11am-12:15pm: Power Huddle
During this facilitated, candid conversation among top women in comms and marketing, we’ll discuss current business challenges and opportunities and embracing an adaptive mindset. In small groups with your peers, you’ll tackle three timely topics – influence, storytelling and leadership - and brainstorm strategic and effective ways of leading, influencing and telling your own story or your brand’s. - 12:20-1:40pm: Group lunch with new friends
Featuring a special presentation on nutritional wellness. - 1:40-2:20 pm: No more Panic Button: Leading with Intent
Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Lucy Kalin, Editorial Director at Hearst Magazines, as she shares her invaluable insights on navigating new business models. Discover how a clear understanding of your intentions can transform challenges into opportunities and help you manage stress effectively. - 2:25-3:25 pm: Small Group Discussions: You Win Some, You Learn Some
Share the victories and best mistakes that help us fail forward. - 3:30pm Break for Afternoon Fun with Friends
- 3:45-5:30pm: Afternoon Activities
Choose one of the four activities (complimentary) with your fellow attendees to enrich your retreat experience:- Wellness session
- Painting
- Bike Ride
- Aqua Paddle
- 6pm: Headshots: dress up, down or quirky as you pose for a personal headshot.
- 6:30-9 pm: Reception & Dinner
Last Day: Friday, September 19
- 7-7:45am: Guided Walk
- 8-8:45am: Networking Breakfast
- 8:45-9am: Wellness Activity
- 9-10:15am: Problem-Solving & Mindset Reveal
Sarah Thurber, managing partner at FourSight and author of Good Team, Bad Team, will lead this insightful session designed to transform the way you motivate your team, navigate conflicts, and achieve exceptional results through the strategic management of cognitive diversity. Drawing from the FourSight system—developed through research involving over 6 million data points, Sarah will guide you in identifying and leveraging your team's unique problem-solving preferences for maximum impact. - 10:15-10:20am: Break
- 10:20-11am: The Language of Leadership: Sophisticated Strategies for Brand and Career Success
Arielle Patrick, Chief Communications Officer at Ariel Investments - the first minority-owned asset management firm with nearly $13 billion in assets under management - will share her expert insights on team leadership, brand storytelling, and building a career path filled with opportunities. Reporting directly to Co-CEO Mellody Hobson, Arielle will also discuss why “exceptionalism” alone is not enough to succeed in today's dynamic landscape. -
11:10am-12pm: Power Huddle
- Huddle with your peers to tackle these topics and come away with new ideas and action items.
- Topic 1: Talent:
Managing up, down and sideways: share and brainstorm best practices to develop your top talent, to lead with confidence and to influence decisions. During this session, you’ll design your own talent plan and what support you need to shine. - Topic 2: Innovation, Continued:
Crowdsource your next big idea (or two). As attendees you’ll be prepared for this a few weeks prior to the Summit. - Topic 3: Resiliency:
Exchange ideas on how to develop the mental, emotional and behavioral flexibility to deal with obstacles and challenges effectively.
- 12-12:15pm: Power Ending
Closing action items, post-retreat connections, intentions and events. And grab the last round of swag! - Commencement
Poker & Your Seat at the Table
Join us for an exciting Poker Power workshop! An expert instructor will guide you through the basics, from hand strength to bet sizing, so you can confidently sit at the table like a boss. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the game, when to hold, and when to fold, all while having a blast. But it’s not just about the game - the skills you’ll learn in this program can be applied to your career and life. You’ll develop strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and a competitive edge that will set you apart in any field. And the best part? You’ll get to put your newfound knowledge into practice right away by playing with your fellow participants. So don’t miss out on this unforgettable program - it’s your chance to level up your game and life!

Pricing

Your Summit Ticket Includes:
- 2 hotel nights at the Forbes Four-star rated resort
- Expert-guided leadership sessions & tools
- All meals including delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner along with snacks
- All networking and cocktail events (mocktails too)
- Thoughtfully curated wellness & soul-feeding experiences
- Immersive group experiences with like-minded leaders
- Swag bag with mindfully selected finds
- Private LinkedIn group
- Post-summit virtual meetups and events
- And more!
Join us for the Leadership Summit & Retreat for Women: | REGISTRATION FEE (all-inclusive) through May 1 |
REGISTRATION FEE (all-inclusive) after May 1 |
---|---|---|
Per Person includes all items listed above including a 2-night stay at the Balboa Bay Resort | $4,499 | $5,499 |
Executive Payment Plan (same total value, maximum flexibility) Contact [email protected] to set this up. |
3 payments of $1,499 | 3 payments of $1,833 |
Need help getting approval to attend? Download our justification letter here.
Would you and a colleague like to attend? Group pricing is available. Contact customer service for more information.
Our Luxurious Venue

Balboa Bay Resort
Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach’s premier waterfront retreat, offers breathtaking views of Balboa Bay and unforgettable sunsets over the harbor. Recognized as the #1 Resort in Newport Beach by U.S. News & World Report, it also holds prestigious Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond ratings.

Balboa Bay Resort
1221 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 645-5000
Unplug at the Leadership Summit & Retreat for Women!
Nurture your mind, body and soul with these wellness activities during the Summit:

Channel your creativity with new friends

Enjoy a scenic bike ride with fellow attendees in a beautiful setting

All-levels yoga to open the body and start the day with intention

Quiet your mind and move stuck energy with the basics of Qi Gong

Slow down with a soothing sound bath that leaves you feeling rejuvenated and grateful

Enjoy guided walks with your new friends
Who Should Attend
If you spend any time in the following areas, this summit is for you:
- Internal Communications
- External Communications
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Agency Management
- HR
- Social Media
WOMEN’S BUSINESS SUMMIT & RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2024
CARLSBAD, CA
A 30-minute drive from the
San Diego International Airport
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE EMPOWERMENT EVENT
We’ve designed a 2.5-day summit that includes a healthy mix of candid conversations, problem-solving, workshopping ideas, sharing successes (and failures), plus great food, entertainment, relaxation and connecting at a level you just can’t get from your typical conference.
The September 18-20 summit at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA, is the quintessential setting for this gathering of leading women communicators. This world-class resort is set on 250 acres overlooking Batiquitos Lagoon on the Pacific Ocean and offers an array of activities. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to play tennis at one of the top-ranked tennis resorts worldwide according to Tennis Resorts Online, or play a round of golf at the only Arnold Palmer signature-designed golf course in coastal California. The resort also offers the first Miraval Life in Balance Spa in North San Diego, offering globally inspired services and award-winning wellness experiences.
Space is limited to 60 executives; secure your unforgettable experience now!
Pricing
Join us for the Leadership Summit & Retreat for Women: | REGISTRATION FEE |
---|---|
Per Person includes all items listed above including a 2-night stay at the luxurious Park Hyatt Aviara Resort | $4,499 |
Why A Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat?

Diane Schwartz
CEO
Ragan Communications
It gets lonely at the top, or on your way to the top. You have the brainpower, you have the job title and you have the courage. Now you’ll have the community.
We created the Leadership Summit & Retreat for Women as a chance to meet other women in leadership positions who appreciate the power of connecting, sharing and learning from one another.
Please join at our Leadership Summit & Retreat for Women and see for yourself why our first cohort of attendees told us this was one of the best events of their career.
By attending, you are investing in yourself, your team and your organization. I hope you’ll join us for this unique adventure at a beautiful resort with your fellow communicators.
