HOW Retreat 2024
May 18 – May 19, 2024
Narrowsburg, NY
Experience a transformative weekend at Quorum’s third annual retreat. Rediscover yourself and connect with fellow Quorum community members in the enchanting setting of the Catskills.
Explore a spectrum of topics, from individual well-being to financial health. Engage with thought-provoking speakers, take part in dynamic discussions, and indulge in revitalizing health and wellness activities—all within a serene and encouraging atmosphere.
Embark on this enriching journey, emerging revitalized with heightened self-awareness and equipped to make a more profound impact in both your professional and personal spheres.
Agenda
Friday, May 17th
- 6:30pm HOW Wine Restores Body, Mind & Soul While Respecting Our Environment – Welcome Winetasting and Buffet Dinner hosted by Deirdre Heekin, Winegrower and Writer, Domaine La Garagista
Saturday, May 18th
- 8:00am Connecting over Breakfast
- 9:00am HOW to Create Space for Yourself, Pearl Zayas, Holistic Minister Practitioner
- 10:30am Break
- 11:00am HOW We Break the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma, Stacey Millman and Adrienne Jensen, Evergreen Meadow Academy
- 11:45am HOW We Arrived and Where We Want to Go – Intention Setting, Natascha Demner, Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach, Reboot and Nourish
- 1:00pm Connecting over Lunch
- 2:00pm HOW We Let Our Creative Juices Speak for Us, Nonna Hall, HALL SPACE
- 3:30pm HOW We Convene with Nature to Restore and Rejuvenate, Laura Chávez Silverman, The Outside Institute
- 5:00pm You time – Us time
- 6:30pm Cocktails
- 7:00pm Dinner
- 8:15pm HOW We Laugh, Special appearance by Liz Austin
- 8:30pm HOW We Dance it Out, DJ Caleb Barber
Sunday, May 19th
- 8:00am HOW We Meditate and Move, Veronica Fernandez
- 9:00am HOW Paying Homage to the Past Shapes Our Future – Conversation with Tina Spangler over Breakfast; Moderator, Geena Wardaki
- 10am HOW Financial Connectedness Leads to Values Based Outcomes, Paula DeLaurentis, Equities News; Moderator, Gayle Bangalan
- 11am HOW We Ask for Help and Commit to Action, Meg Sullivan, Quorum Initiative
- 12pm Close and Lunch Served
Venue
Blue Fox Motel
Narrowsburg, NY
Located at the Blue Fox Motel, a boutique motel in the Catskills, at the spot where the meandering Ten Mile River & the breathtaking Delaware River meet.
Individual Options:
- King room: $219 per night
- One Bedroom Suite: $259 per night
- One Bedroom Cabin: $299 per night
Shared Option:
- Individual room in a shared house: $175 per night
- Houses include individual queen rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom and extra living space
Room registration:
- Go to Blue Fox Motel website
- Click “Book Your Stay” button
- Choose dates (Retreat begins Friday evening, May 17th and ends Sunday afternoon, May 19th)
- Enter “QuorumRetreat” in Promo Code (case sensitive)
- Contact info@Bluefoxmotel.com with any questions
Presenters
Gayle Bangalan
With a childhood fascination for wealth, legacy, and the power of connections, Gayle embarked on a journey into the world of strategic financial planning. With over 20 years of progressively responsible experience dedicated to fostering strong client relationships through fiscal education and long-term financial thinking, she brings a wealth of expertise to the role… continue reading
Gayle bridges financial knowledge and actionable strategies. Just as connectors in social networks bring people together, she leverages an extensive network and industry connections to provide clients with tailored guidance and expertise.
At Lifetime Financial Growth, Gayle collaborates with a diverse network of advisors, tapping into collective insights to empower individuals and businesses to make informed financial decisions and leave behind a meaningful legacy.
In her spare time, Gayle and her partner Matthew love to travel to other continents, experiencing new cultures and cuisines. They also enjoy taking road trips with their two beautiful dogs, Noctus and Luna, exploring scenic routes and nature trails. This balance enriches her perspective and adds depth to her approach to financial planning and life’s endeavors.
Paula DeLaurentis, CEO, Equities News
Paula DeLaurentis, the dynamic CEO of Equities News, is a visionary leader in the financial services industry. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Paula’s career is a testament to resilience and ambition. From her impactful roles as the Chief Marketing Officer at Portfolia to her visionary leadership at The SRI Conference & Community and strategic acumen at Folio Investing, Paula’s journey serves as a roadmap for aspiring professionals. What sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to individual investors, revolutionizing online investing solutions and advocating for financial independence, particularly for women. .. continue reading
Paula’s influence extends beyond the boardroom, as a sought-after speaker and recipient of numerous awards, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the industry. Despite her professional success, Paula remains deeply rooted in her community, actively contributing to women’s empowerment, financial literacy, environmental sustainability, and social justice. She is not just a senior executive but a visionary leader, passionate advocate, and inspiring role model, inviting others to follow in her footsteps and strive for greatness.
Natascha Demner, Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach; Founder, Reboot and Nourish
Natascha Demner is a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach who helps women learn to slow down and consciously nourish the self in order to feel their very best… continue reading
She led hundreds of women through her Signature Group Coaching Program “Reboot & Nourish”, a gentle cleanse focused on what to ADD IN rather than what to remove temporarily. The program covers nutrition, gut health, blood sugar regulation, detoxification, self care, sleep and relaxation.
Natascha believes in the power of community, the healing potential of food as medicine and that small changes and the right mindset can make a huge difference in how we feel in the long run.
She lives in New York and works remotely with individuals and groups all over the world developing self-management strategies for sustainable, long term lifestyle and behavior changes that never feel like a sacrifice.
Veronica Fernandez, Yoga Instructor, RYT 200
Veronica Fernandez is a RYT 200 who is on track to completing her RYT 500 and has completed a level 1 Yoga Wall training… continue reading
She began practicing yoga in 2016, and was certified to teach in 2018 through 108 Lotus Yoga in Milford, PA. Here she learned how to create safe and effective classes for people of all levels of experience. She is currently training through the Authentic Movements school of yoga, which focuses on a fun and unique approach on how to make yoga accessible to modern bodies.
Veronica teaches full time at the Lodge at Woodloch and has taught privately and publicly at gyms in NEPA.
When she’s not on her yoga mat, you can find her performing music, running on trails, and snuggling with her 2 cats.
Nonna Hall, Founder, HALL SPACE
Originally hailing from Russia, Nonna embarked on her artistic journey upon moving to the United States in 2002, initially settling in Brooklyn. There, she honed her craft in various studios before being drawn to the captivating beauty of the Catskills region, where she established her own private studio sanctuary… continue reading
In 2019, Nonna realized her vision with the inception of Nonneta and Friends Creative. Here, she not only crafts her distinctive pieces but also shares her passion through teaching classes, hosting workshops, and curating private events.
Ceramics became Nonna’s chosen medium, allowing her to materialize her imaginative visions into tangible form. For her, the transformative process of creating something from nothing is a profound and awe-inspiring experience. Witnessing the joy her unique creations brings to others is a priceless reward, fueling her artistic journey with boundless inspiration.
Deirdre Heekin, Winegrower and Writer, Domaine La Garagista
Deirdre Heekin of Domaine La Garagista farms and makes wine in both the Chateauguay mountains and the Champlain Valley in Vermont. She is passionate about holistic and regenerative agriculture, exploring the botanical diversity of hybrid grapes and their various wine expressions, simple and honest winemaking, and the creative narratives of place that wine can tell. She and her husband Caleb Barber have been growing wine since 2007 when they planted their first vines and have not only received numerous awards and press coverage for their work, they recently were included in Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Wineries, worldwide… continue reading
She is the author of three books, the most recent An Unlikely Vineyard, and is at work on a forthcoming book from Timber Press: Love Letter from Hybrydia.
Adrienne Jensen, Executive Director, Evergreen Meadow Academy
Adrienne Jensen is the Executive Director of Evergreen Meadow Services, supporting the preparation of the opening of our new school and residence as well as leading staff and programming… continue reading
Adrienne has more than twenty years of operational, programmatic, volunteer, and family experience. She has worked with and developed programs for youth-at-risk, both rural and migrant families, women’s empowerment, elders, and issues around the ever-growing housing crisis. She is embedded in Sullivan County’s community-based infrastructure and is respected throughout New York State as a human rights professional. As a former professional dancer and Taiko drummer, she finds ways to incorporate dance and expressive movement in support of our program participants’ emotional well-being.
As the former Executive Director of Human Rights for Sullivan County, she emphasizes how important it is for professionals in the helping fields to acknowledge the backgrounds of their clients in the care they provide and find ways to deliver services that are congruent with what clients value most in their world.
Ms. Jensen currently sits on a local town planning board, the board for a local historic museum, and the Board of Farm Arts Collective as well as runs a monthly conversation to provide a discussion to unite communities holding varying ideas and beliefs. She has previously served on the Community Advisory Board for Sullivan 180, the Advisory Board of EDMT, and as the Vice Chairperson of the Advisory Council for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Stacey Millman, Founding Board Member, EverGreen Meadow Academy
With decades of experience in advocacy, communications, project management, and overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, Stacey Millman brings her passion, leadership skills, and talents to the family of EverGreen Meadow organizations after raising a daughter profoundly affected by trauma. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany and her Master of Arts at SUNY Empire State College.
Laura Chávez Silverman, Founding Naturalist, The Outside Institute
Laura Chávez Silverman, a writer and branding consultant, is the Founding Naturalist of The Outside Institute. A desire to share her deep love of Nature inspired this venture. Laura is available for private walks and land assessments, retreats and botanical mixology. She is a polished and compelling speaker on topics including the psychic and health benefits of engaging with Nature, sustainable foraging and how interconnected systems inspire better living. From 2010-17, Laura wrote “Glutton for Life”, a blog that explored Catskill living, including cooking with seasonal and foraged foods, gardening and communing with Nature.
Director Tina Spangler
Director Tina Spangler is a Sullivan County, NY-based cinematic storyteller working in the documentary film genre. For the past 20 years, she has created a wide variety of original short-form video content for television, as well as several independent film projects. Spangler began her career creating dozens of original segments for Sundance Channel (2000-2005), including filmmaker profiles and thematic nonfiction works. Most recently, she produced, wrote, and directed several nonfiction short films for Sesame Street (2021-2023). She has also directed and produced independent documentaries. The founder and longtime director of the Big Eddy Film Festival (2012-2022), Spangler has also spent a significant part of her career curating independent films for festivals, affording her the opportunity to view and evaluate thousands of indie films of all genres.
Meg Sullivan, Founder and CEO, Quorum Initiative
Meg Sullivan is the founder and board chair of Quorum Initiative, an international organization focused on accelerating the advancement of executive women in business. Chapters exist in New York, Washington, D.C., London and St. Joseph, connecting executive women across borders to share ideas and create systemic change. Meg is passionate about diversity and inclusion being a driver of business innovation and women’s role in helping to shape our future global enterprises… continue reading
In 2019, Meg won the Financial Times’ Innovative Lawyer Legal Intrapreneur of the year award and is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s First-Mover Fellowship program that focuses on the development of corporate social intrapreneurs.
As the Chief Business Development, Marketing and CSR Officer at Paul Hastings, Meg was responsible for strategy, growth and innovation in legal services. She oversaw business and client development programs, public relations, brand management, and communications that promoted the firm’s international reach and commitment to client service. She also led the Diversity & Inclusion and Corporate Responsibility efforts of the firm.
Before joining Paul Hastings, Meg was based in Europe for ten years. During that time, she was the Director of Marketing for the EMEIA region at Andersen. In addition, Meg held director positions in business development, marketing and export for a major French clothing manufacturer, the largest French shoe manufacturer, and an American venture capital firm.
Meg is an advisory council member for Child HELP Partnership and served on the steering committee for The Aspen Institute Socrates Program.
Geena Wardaki, Vice President, Technology Practice, Edelman
With over a decade of experience, Geena specializes in developing and executing strategic communications programs for clients across the technology industry. She is committed to empowering companies to craft compelling narratives about their organizations and products. Geena thrives on the challenge of leveraging the intersection of technology and society to effectively engage target audiences… continue reading
Geena’s diverse portfolio spans both blue-chip corporations and nimble startups. Her expertise includes helping clients plan and execute communications initiatives around major company milestones, product and platform developments, as well as marquee industry events.
She also collaborates with C-suite executives, advising on external media and event engagements, thought leadership content and positioning on critical issues. Geena is passionate about working with female leaders to amplify their voices and unique stories.
Prior to her tenure at Edelman, Geena honed her skills in the Corporate practice of Ruder Finn. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in print journalism from American University in Washington, DC.
Pearl Zayas, Holistic Minister Practitioner
Pearl Zayas (she/they) is a Holistic Minister Practitioner who brings you the healing energy of Love. Her mission is to teach others how to go within, heal from past emotional wounds, and align with their Soul… continue reading
Pearl has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is currently attending the University of the Southwest, where she is studying to become a Certified Mental Health Counselor. Pearl is a certified Advanced Life Skills Coach and Spiritual Life Coach from Holistic Learning Center, as well as a Certified Breathwork Facilitator and Kundalini Yoga Teacher.
In August 2021, Pearl was guided to work with the ancient and sacred powers of Cacao to help connect others to their heart space, while providing deeper healing and alignment.
Special Appearance
Liz Austin, Standup Comic
Liz practiced Commercial Law and Bankruptcy for close to 40 years. She recently retired from the practice of law to pursue her dream of being a standup comic. She regularly appears at comedy clubs in New York City.
Caleb Barber
Life-long disco dancer, professional chef, pruner of vines. Learned to DJ when “I feel for you” was a Top Ten Billboard hit, house music was just finding its feet, and good vinyl was nearly impossible to come by. Knows what it means to lose oneself on the dance floor, and hopes to help others feel that same ecstatic freedom.
Transportation
Driving distances:
NYC: 100 miles
DC: 290 miles
Nearest airports:
Newark (1 hour, 45 minutes)
NY Stewart International Airport (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Wilkes/Barre (1 hour, 8 minutes)
Sponsors
For additional information about the retreat or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diane Silverman.
