Women's Leadership
Summit & Retreat
September 17-19, 2025
The Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach, CA
Experience a leadership event like no other!
This unique summit is designed for communications and marketing 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.
Who Will Be There?
The summit is designed for communicators with 10+ years of experience in communications. We vet all registrants to ensure their experience aligns with the other delegates.
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.
- 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
- 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 in communications and marketing 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 but is not limited to: meditation, Legos and delicious snacks. - 6-7:45pm: Networking Reception
Meet new friends and hear from a few experts on how to flex your networking skills as we kick off the Summit. - 8pm: Sound Bath led by Karianne
Meet-up at the hotel bar for cocktails, mocktails and fun tales. (optional)
Day 2: Thursday, September 18
- 8-8:45am: Networking Breakfast
- 8:45-9:15am: 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 your time and investment. - 9:15-10am: Meet the Moment
The Summit kicks off with an inspiring keynote conversation to set you on the best course for success at work and beyond. Discover new ways to tap into your influencer-self to have a more material impact on your business, while freeing you up to focus on the areas that matter to you. - 10-10:15am: Drop the Mic
We invite you to share the spotlight, and the stage, throughout the Summit. We’ll kick off this featured session with speaker presentation tips and some light media training. Want to hone your speaking skills? Test out new ideas or messaging? Get comfortable being uncomfortable. In this judgment-free zone, we’ve made room for whoever wants to take the stage. - 10:15-11:15am: Real Talk
During this facilitated, candid conversation among top women in comms and marketing, we’ll discuss current business challenges and opportunities and embracing an adaptive leadership style. - 11:15-11:30am: Break
- 11:30am-12:30pm: Salon led by Kristin
Influence. Storytelling. Leadership.
With your peers, you’ll tackle these three topics and brainstorm strategic ways of leading, influencing and telling your own stories or your brand’s. - 12:30-1pm: Open mic.
This is your chance to present to your peers in a safe, supportive space. You’ll hear 7-minute presentations from fellow comms and marketing leaders on a range of interesting topics. - 1:10-2:10pm: Group lunch with new friends
Featuring a special presentation on nutritional wellness. - 2:15-3 pm: Small Group Discussions: You Win Some, You Lose Some.
Share the victories and best mistakes that help us fail forward. - 3-3:30pm: Share-Outs from group discussion
- 3:30pm Break for Afternoon Fun
- 3:45-5:30pm: Afternoon Activities
Choose one of the four activities (complimentary) with your fellow attendees to enrich your retreat experience:- Wellness; Art; Bike Ride; Aqua Paddle
- 6-9 pm: Drinks, Dinner & Improv
- 6pm: Headshots: dress up, down or quirky as you pose for a personal headshot.
- 6:30-7pm: Networking Reception
- 7-9pm: Dinner with New Friends & Improv Act
Last Day: Friday, September 19
- 7-7:45am: Guided Walk
- 8-8:45am: Networking Breakfast and Drop the Mic presentations
- 8:45-9am: Wellness Activity
-
9-10:45am: Real Talk: Small Group Discussions
- 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.
- Topic 1: Talent:
- 11-11:45am: Closing Keynoter
- 11:45am-12:15pm: The End as the Beginning
Closing action items, post-retreat connections, intentions and events. - 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!
Speakers:
Featured Speakers, and other speakers to delight and wow you!
Speakers will be announced soon.
Retreat Hosts:
Pricing
Your Summit Ticket Includes:
- 2 hotel nights at the 4-star property
- All content/programming
- All meals
- All networking and cocktail events
- Entertainment and activities
- Unique group experiences
- Swag bag
- Private LinkedIn group
- Post-summit virtual meetups and events
- And more!
| Join us for the Women’s Leadership Summit & Retreat: | 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 |
Would you and a colleague like to attend? Group pricing is available when registering! 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 Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat!
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
Here’s what past attendees are saying about the Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat:
It was a relaxing, rewarding, motivating, holistic and intimate conference that brought senior women communications professionals together to share best practices and ideas. It was wonderful!
The retreat was well-planned and the speakers were stellar.
Loved connecting with so many women across so many industries. It was refreshing and relatable.
This was an incredible experience to meet with like-minded colleagues from all types of industries - share best practices, help each other solution, learn and laugh with each other.
It was very fulfilling. I had the opportunity to talk with like-minded female leaders who understood many of the issues I was experiencing or challenges I needed to overcome.
A great opportunity to step out if my day to day and connect with women who understand both work and personal challenges.
Who Attends
Communications and marketing professionals from these organizations have attended the Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat:
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 Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat: | 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 Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat 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 Women's Leadership Summit & Retreat 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.
