A winter retreat for leaders to reflect, grow and find renewal in community.

<aside> 26th-29th or 30th May 2025, The Lodge, Bellingen, NSW, Australia (optional one day bushwalk in World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest in Dorrigo National Park).

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why haven?

Leaders in demanding roles need dedicated time and space with peers to gain perspective and sustain their energy.

We believe in the power of reflective, peer-based spaces to:

• help individuals ground themselves in their values and nurture personal growth
• support us, collectively, to develop and test forms of reflexive, collaborative, equitable and systemic leadership
• create space to step back from day-to-day pressures and align actions with purpose in life and work

At haven you'll join others who are leading complex social change initiatives, processes and organisations – to engage in individual reflection, group exploration and have space to do what nourishes and energises you – writing, reading, walking, yoga, meditation, being in nature…

Our goal is for you to leave feeling renewed, focused and connected.

You will be co-hosted by May Miller-Dawkins and Jo Taylor – who each bring long experience of social change work and reflective practice to hold space for individual and group processes (see more in bios below).

Bellingen lookout

who, what, when and where?

who?

This intimate retreat brings together 13 purpose-driven leaders from various sectors who are committed to creating positive change. The group size allows for deep connection while maintaining space for individual reflection.

The retreat is designed and facilitated by May Miller-Dawkins and Jo Taylor. We each bring a distinct perspective from working to influence change and support leaders in the overlapping spheres of social movements, community groups, policy think tanks and philanthropy. We have been working and reflecting together in one way or another since the early 2000s when we first met through Oxfam. We are thrilled to be working with Courtney Collins who attended the first haven, is supporting the design of this year’s retreat and will offer a writing workshop in an afternoon.