Our Story.
A Vision for Authentic Leadership
The Retreat was born from a simple yet powerful observation: leaders at all levels crave authentic connections and meaningful growth, yet often feel isolated in their journey. This isolation manifests in various ways. Sometimes it's significant, like the breakdown in relationships between Boards and their CEOs. Other times, it's more subtle - an emerging executive who feels they've lost their creative spark or sense of aliveness at work.
Shari Van Cleave, founder of The Retreat, experienced this firsthand as she climbed the corporate ladder. Despite outward success, she felt a disconnect between her inner values and the modern workplace.
"I realized that to be truly effective, leaders need a space where they can be vulnerable, share challenges, and grow not just as professionals, but as whole human beings," Shari recalls. "Leaders need a place to reconnect with our authentic selves and find support among peers who truly understand our journey."
Shari Van Cleave, FounderThe Journey
This realization led to years of research, conversations with fellow executives, and deep exploration into leadership development, mindfulness, self-mastery practices and peer coaching methodologies.
The result? The Retreat—a unique approach to leadership growth that combines the power of carefully curated peer groups (our Kulas) with cutting-edge personal development techniques.
Our Mission
At The Retreat, we believe that self-aware, authentic leaders make better decisions—for themselves, their teams, their organizations, and ultimately, for our world.
Our mission is to nurture a community of leaders who are committed to personal growth, authentic connection, and positive impact. We strive to create a ripple effect of conscious leadership that extends far beyond our Kulas.
Join Us on This Journey
Whether you're an emerging leader looking to define your authentic leadership style or a seasoned executive seeking to expand your capacity and legacy, The Retreat offers a unique space for growth and connection.
We invite you to explore how The Retreat can support your leadership journey and contribute to a world led by more self-aware, authentic leaders.
