Why Sedona?
The Place Is Part of the Experience
Sedona is one of those rare places in the world that inspires us to see things differently.
Its red-rock formations, desert landscape, expansive skies, quiet trails, and long tradition as a destination for reflection and spiritual exploration create an environment where it becomes easier to let go, pay attention to surroundings, and listen to self.
We are intentionally bringing this retreat to Sedona because the environment is not just the backdrop, it is part of the work. During our three days together, we will move between facilitated leadership exploration and experiences on the land.
There will be opportunities for meditation, gentle movement and yoga, reflective writing, individual contemplation, land journeys, and visits to places associated with Sedona’s traditions of reflection and renewal.
You do not need to subscribe to a particular spiritual practice or belief. Come with curiosity, prepared to explore and listen deeply.
Leadership from the Inside Out
Before We Transform Systems, We Have to Attend to the People Leading Them
Much of traditional leadership development focuses outward:
- How do I motivate my team?
- How do I communicate better?
- How do I manage change?
- How do I accomplish more?
Those are important questions. But, we believe another set of questions needs to come first:
- Who am I becoming as a leader?
- What am I carrying that I need to let go?
- What gives me energy and what is depleting it?
- What values do I want to preserve as the world around me changes?
- Where am I being invited to grow?
- What does the next chapter of my leadership work require of me?
How can I be healthy enough (emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually) to be present for the people and communities who depend on me?
The HUE Leadership Retreat creates space to explore these questions without separating the human being from the function of leadership.
We begin with Leading Self because self-awareness is the foundation from which we lead others and influence larger systems.
From there, we explore Leading Others—relationships, trust, communication, responsibility, collaboration, and the way our presence affects the people around us.
And finally, we consider Leading Systems—how we remain grounded, courageous, and purposeful while navigating complexity, uncertainty, transition, and change.
The work moves inward and outward:
Self → Others → Systems
Because sustainable transformation requires all three.
A Small Community of Leaders
Come for Yourself. Learn Through Others.
Leadership can be surprisingly lonely.
The more responsibility we carry, the fewer places we may have where we can speak openly about uncertainty, transition, aspirations, exhaustion, questions, or possibility.
That is why this retreat is intentionally small. We bring together leaders from different sectors, professions, communities, backgrounds, and stages of their leadership journey.
Participants may include leaders from:
- Nonprofit and philanthropic organizations
- Public health and healthcare
- Social work and human services
- Higher education and education
- Government and public service
- Community and civic organizations
- Mission-driven businesses and social enterprises
- Consulting, facilitation, and organizational development
Some participants may be leading established organizations. Others may be moving into a new role, contemplating a transition, developing a new venture, or wondering what their next chapter might hold.
The diversity of the cohort is intentional. We believe leaders have much to learn from people working outside their own profession and sector.
This is less about networking in the traditional sense, and more about an opportunity to form meaningful relationships with people willing to engage in honest conversation about leadership, life, responsibility, and change.
What You May Leave With
Transformation does not look the same for everyone.
We are not promising that three days in Sedona will provide all the answers.
We are creating the conditions in which better questions, deeper awareness, meaningful relationships, and new possibilities can emerge.
You may leave with:
- Greater clarity about your purpose and next chapter
- Deeper awareness of your leadership strengths and patterns
- A renewed understanding of your values and priorities
- Greater awareness of your wellbeing and what sustains you
- Practices for reflection, grounding, and composure
- New perspectives on challenges you have been carrying
- Greater capacity to lead through uncertainty and transition
- Meaningful relationships with leaders from other sectors
- A personal leadership plan for integrating your insights after the retreat
- Renewed energy and permission to lead differently
And perhaps something less easily measured: a clearer relationship with yourself, a deeper sense of connection, and greater intention about how you want to use your leadership in the world.
Your Facilitators & Guides
Dr. Irina Fursman
Co-Founder & CEO, HueLife | Co-Founder, Global Synergy Group
Irina is a facilitator, educator, systems thinker, and leadership development practitioner whose work explores how people lead and create change when authority alone is not enough.
Her work spans nonprofit organizations, government, public health, education, businesses, and community systems in the United States and internationally.
At the retreat, Irina will guide participants through the HUE leadership journey of Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading Systems, creating space for thoughtful dialogue, self-examination, practical leadership exploration, and connection across differences.
Her role is not to tell participants what kind of leader they should become, but to create the environment for them to discover more clearly how they want to lead.
Contact Irina: irina.fursman@hue.life
Eloiza Altoro, MS, HS-BCP, CAE
Principal Consultant, Mind Redesign Consulting | Co-Convener & Retreat Guide
Eloiza brings more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, executives, boards, and communities through organizational change, leadership development, strategic planning, facilitation, and governance.
Her approach integrates leadership development with the wellbeing of the whole person.
In Sedona, Eloiza will help guide the retreat’s reflective and restorative experiences, including meditation, movement, spiritual reflection, and exploration of the land—helping participants create greater connection between how they care for themselves and how they show up for others.
Retreat Logistics
HUE Leadership Retreat — Sedona
Dates: March 2–4, 2027
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Format: Three-day, in-person immersive retreat
Cohort: Intentionally limited to a small group of leaders
The retreat will include a combination of facilitated indoor sessions and experiences throughout the Sedona environment.
Your retreat experience includes:
- Three days of facilitated retreat programming
- Leadership and personality assessments
- Retreat workbook and reflection materials
- Guided wellness and reflective practices
- Sedona experiential and land-based activities
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments during retreat programming
- Shared community experiences
- Post-retreat integration and leadership support
Lodging for 3 nights (check in Monday, March 1; check out Thursday, March 4) is included in the retreat fee; however, if desired, we can accommodate additional nights upon request at Sedona Summit (rate varies on the type of accommodations)
Sedona Summit: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/flgsegv-hilton-vacation-club-sedona-summit/
Participants will receive a detailed schedule, preparation information, what-to-bring guidance, and other logistics prior to the retreat.
