Public Programs

What Does a Day at Wild Leadership Look Like?

Each year’s retreat includes a combination of workshops, discussion, movement, reflection, art, and toolkit building.  A typical day includes optional early-morning Yoga or a walk in the bosque, followed by delicious breakfast and an opening session that explores a complex leadership topic such as the role of education leaders in shaping the culture of their schools and organizations.  This might be followed by an interactive session on the importance of play or how to design and lead productive and compelling meetings. From there, participants would be invited into small-group conversation or writing. After reconnecting for lunch and conversation, the afternoon would include workshops on topics such as deepening our cultural competency or clarifying our leadership mission.  The evening would include dinner in the beautiful dining room that looks out to the bosque and the mountains beyond, followed by a coffee house where participants are invited to share their writing, art, and music. You can count on at least a small group of participants talking late into the evening, often sitting outside under the Cottonwoods. You can see the 2018 Wild Leadership agenda here.

Who Participates?

The retreat is designed both for experienced leaders in need of reconnection with the purposes of their work and a tune-up of their leadership skills, as well as for emerging leaders who are at the beginning of their leadership journeys.  Past participants have included school principals, instructional coaches, department leaders, and deans, as well as education leaders working in education non-profits and government entities. Most have come from communities across New Mexico, although we have had participants from across the country.  Part of the richness of the retreat is the meaningful connection forged among participants coming from diverse organizations and backgrounds. We value shared expertise and the voice and wisdom of each participant.

Who Are the Retreat Leaders?

We look forward to meeting you at the retreat and hearing your leadership story!  In the meantime, here is a little bit about Sheryl, Tamisha, and Elsa, the 2019 retreat leaders.  We will also be joined by guest leaders for the Yoga and Mindfulness offerings.

What Is the Retreat Center Like?

Tucked away off of a main thoroughfare in Albuquerque, the Bosque Retreat Center is a beautiful oasis on gorgeous grounds with light-filled buildings.  Most sessions will take place in the Center’s Conference Room and Gathering Space, the latter with floor to ceiling windows facing east. All meals are served in the retreat center’s dining room, and we provide healthy snacks, good coffee, and other beverages throughout the retreat.  The overnight accommodations are simple but elegant, located in the same building as the beautiful Gathering Space. Rooms are single occupancy, most with twin beds and a small writing table. There are private bathrooms located throughout the residence area, but they are not attached to rooms.  The Bosque Retreat Center is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, and we are honored to be returning there for the fifth year. You can see more of the retreat center here.  

What Participants Say about Their Experience

My experience at Wild Leadership was beyond wonderful.  It gave me great tools, connections, and insight into the work I do now and what I want to do in the future.
-Giovianna Burrell, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Albuquerque

Getting the chance to meet and work with a very diverse group of educational learners is key for me. It is wonderful to explore and learn about current educational topics with individuals from private, public, urban, and rural schools, as well as from educational non-profits. I have been able to gain much deeper insight and have developed a much more global view of how various topics and initiatives affect different educational systems.
–Lori Arnold, Cleveland Middle School, Albuquerque

It matters so much to me to know I have colleagues across the community who share in the vision of leading with love and bravery. To not be alone in these dark times is something of a solace, and Wild Leadership gave me new tools for accomplishing what I would like to as a leader.
–Tanesia Hale-Jones, Escuela del Sol Montessori, Albuquerque

Leaders benefit when they have an opportunity to read, think, and reflect. The Sofia Center’s Wild Leadership Retreat fosters critical thinking and challenges educational leaders to innovate.
–Julie Radoslovich, South Valley Academy, Albuquerque

The Sofia Center’s Wild Leadership Retreat was a marvelous and inspiring experience. The combination of wise leaders sharing their insights and passions with us, and the beauty and peace of the bosque, was magical.  Topics ranged from engendering positive cultural change to honoring and including the most marginalized in our communities to brass tacks items such as making meetings meaningful and effective. I emerged feeling re-energized and hopeful about my own potential as a leader and about what might be accomplished at our school.
–Leslie Livingston, Desert Academy, Santa Fe

Recommendations + Information

– For an immersive retreat experience, we recommend staying overnight.
– Participants should plan to attend the entire retreat; it does not work well to arrive late or leave early.  Start and end times for the program portions of each day are listed on the invitation.
– Participants receive a Wild Leadership journal and toolkit, along with other materials.
– Registrants will receive additional details prior to the retreat.
– Please contact us with any questions!