Pioneer Retreat
A Leadership Retreat for Life, Work and World Change with Dr Sam Collins
Serra Retreat, Malibu, California, USA
7 - 11 December 2026
Why now?
What is it?
A space to step away from day to day demands, think strategically, explore new possibilities and bring your most ambitious ideas into sharper focus. Whether you are leading a team, shaping organisational strategy, building a business, influencing policy, driving innovation, championing culture change or pursuing a personal vision, the retreat is designed to help you gain clarity, confidence and momentum for what comes next. Come with an idea, opportunity or challenge that matters. This might mean transforming corporate culture, leading change, developing your career or next move, creating an inclusive workplaces, advancing innovation, contributing to breakthroughs in technology, education or healthcare, strengthening your leadership impact or pursuing a vision to improve society and the world around you.
Why attend?
The real issue for many women is not capability, it is that we are operating at speed inside home and work systems that completely absorb our time and attention. Even when we have ideas, ambitions or areas where we want to create meaningful change, those things get delayed, reshaped or diluted simply because there is no proper space to think them through and act on them fully. This creates a quiet erosion. Energy drops, health is pushed to the side. Time ticks by without proper space to step out and reflect and even the most capable leaders can find themselves busy, tired and stuck. This generates a holding pattern where the work that shifts direction, influences systems or creates your own personal joy and satisfaction, remains just out of reach. Fear takes hold and excuses become very plausible.
What makes this retreat special?
This is not a typical retreat. It is not a wellness escape. This retreat is for people who care deeply about making a difference to themselves, their organisations and to the world. You can expect:
• A compelling vision & greater clarity on the change you want to see and the role you want to play within it.
• Imagination, new ideas, toolkits and insights to finally overcome internal and external challenges.
• Connections, advice sharing and collaborations with others who are working beyond individual success.
• Space to integrate leadership, joy, wellbeing and change in a way that supports your sustainable impact.
• Renewed energy and power to take meaningful action and create a plan to get going on your vision.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for women holding significant responsibility and influence, senior leaders, founders, CEOs, board members and directors navigating complexity and asking what comes next. At the same time, it is not limited to those at the top of organisations. Younger pioneering women are equally welcome, as are those approaching or beyond retirement and ready to reimagine their next chapter of contribution. What matters most is not your title or stage, but your willingness to engage and step into your role as a change leader. The power of this retreat lies in its diversity. Different generations, industries, cultures and backgrounds will create an expansive sense of what is possible.
Where is it?
Held at Serra Retreat, a retreat which provides the space, in a beautiful setting, for peace, serenity and reflection. Located between the mountains and the ocean in Malibu, California with stunning views. While it was founded and is operated by Catholic Franciscan Friars, the 26-acre centre welcomes individuals and groups of all faiths and spiritual backgrounds. Serra Retreat invites you to move forward in your life, embodying Serra's famous statement: "Always go forward, never turn back." A short distance from shops, restaurants and beaches. Malibu is considered to have some of the most perfect waves anywhere. It's quiet beaches are a magnet for surfers and an ideal place for spotting migrating gray whales.
What to expect?
The three days are structured to include coaching, reflective exercises, practical tools, networking, facilitated discussions, visualisations and action plans. No PowerPoints, no lectures. Integrated high level discussion and practical implementation. Plenty of unstructured time to step outside to walk in the meditation gardens, explore the mountains, spend time by the ocean (Malibu Lagoon & Surfrider Beach), drink coffee or do some shopping in Malibu, either solo or with new friends. Accommodations are simple, meals are shared, conversations and lots of laughs will happen. Set within a retreat centre with a strong sense of stillness and spirituality, the experience will allow you actual time to think.
Style & Approach
Who is leading the retreat?
Led by Dr Sam Collins, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to work closely with a pioneering social entrepreneur and leader in equality & systemic change, with 25 years of experience coaching women leaders to expand their impact, make transitions, find balance and lead with greater clarity and authenticity. Founder of Aspire, Sam has worked globally with corporations, charities, professional service firms, entrepreneurs and leaders at the highest levels. Sam blends bold thinking, intuition and intellectual rigour with humour, warmth and pace. She has been honoured by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as one of the Top 200 Women to Impact Business & Industry and featured as one of the Top 10 Coaches in the UK by The Times.
