The vision for Call To Lead came to Kelsey after speaking at a women’s conference. She shared her story, but also heard the stories of countless other inspiring women and noticed how people lit up when presented with an opportunity to offer something for the collective. It was clear that people desired to share their gifts, but struggled with feeling worthy to do so or how to bring it to life. She noticed how most retreats often featured the key leaders surrounded by a larger group of attendees. What if instead, a retreat could be a collaboration - where everyone was both a leader and an attendee, where the collective could create something magical that gave each person the opportunity to contribute their gifts and feel the impact of leading?

 

At a sister gathering, Kelsey shared this concept with Ariel, who had always had a big vision to design her own retreat sanctuary and create healing spaces for people of all different backgrounds. Ariel sat with the Call To Lead vision for a few months and kept feeling the call to book a venue in Joshua Tree. Together, Kelsey and Ariel partnered to bring the first Call To Lead retreat to life in June 2024.

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As with many first ventures, Call To Lead grew organically, and not always in the way we would have expected. We were repeatedly reminded throughout the planning process to surrender and trust. What came through was the most incredible group of women who leaned in, shared their stories, and offered their gifts for the collective. While the retreat experience was profound, the transformation remained long after with many now desiring to host their own Call To Lead retreats in future.

 

With this vision, it’s not just about the retreat, it’s about who each person becomes as a result of being witnessed in their brilliance, and the lives that will be touched long after because they answered the call to lead.