Hart Leadership Program & Sonder Collaborative present a two-day retreat to help align your work, purpose, values, and leadership.
Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18, 2024
In-person on Duke's campus
Open to Duke alumni of any school or professional field with more than 5 years since graduation
At the Hart Leadership Program, we aren't shy about asking the big questions: What is the purpose of your work? How do your values inform your actions? How are you sustaining your energy to lead for the long haul? What work is actually most meaningful to you now? What's next for your leadership?
Organized in collaboration with the Sonder Collaborative (co-led by a Hart alum!), the Lifefinding Weekend will give you an opportunity to dive into these questions with other Duke alums and provide practical exercises and tools to participants who are seeking to (re)design their work and life with insight and intention. The two-day retreat involves a mix of small group and one-to-one interaction that provides for connection, creativity and brainstorming that would be hard to match in one-to-one coaching alone. And it’s fun!
Sessions are designed to be as engaging as they are and effective and practical. By the end of the weekend, you will feel:
- Purposeful and prepared
- More energized and enthusiastic
- More meaningfully connected to others
- Confident in your next steps
...and you will have:
- A clear personal ambition statement
- A clarified list of your core values
- Multiple possible future career paths with a focus on upskilling in your career
- A set of action steps you can start immediately
- New connections to help you on your way
Who is this program for?
The Lifefinding Weekend is designed for Duke alumni of any school or professional field who find themselves at a leadership pivot point. If you are asking yourself what is next for your leadership, how to bring your values and work into closer alignment, how to move from purpose to practice, how to launch a new venture, or how to grow deeper, more meaningful roots where you are, this program will give you the space and guidance to ask those courageous questions in a community of other Duke alums facing similar pivots.
We anticipate alums with at least 5 years of meaningful leadership experience after graduation will get the most out of the program.
What is a "leadership pivot point?"
Leadership for us doesn't just mean a position of executive authority. You might be working alongside others to create change in your community, building something from the ground up, or exercising behind-the-scenes leadership in your organization without a formal role. More than a role, we understand leadership as a practice rooted in critical thinking, mindful reflection, deep ethical consideration, and collaborative action. This program will benefit alums with executive titles as well as those whose leadership is not tied to a professional position.
Pivot point means you are contemplating some kind of change--it could be a full career shift, a different way of approaching work you are committed to, a desire to get unstuck or reboot from burnout, or an exploration of what more purposeful leadership might mean for you.
Why is the Hart Leadership Program offering this weekend?
For nearly 40 years, the Hart Leadership Program has challenged generations of Duke students to practice the art of leadership in public life--working with purpose alongside others. But we have always known that leadership learning extends across one's life and career. We are offering this program to Duke alums who want to reconnect with that sense of possibility, purpose, community, and growth that defines Hart classes--and who want to reflect on what's next for their leadership.
Who else will be there?
Registration is capped at 15 so that we can provide a meaningful cohort experience. You will build community with other alumni across generations and geographies who (1) have a meaningful experience of leadership and (2) are contemplating the next step on their path. You will also receive individualized reflective coaching from the program facilitators, all of whom are experienced leaders from either the Sonder Collaborative or the Hart Leadership Program.
Registration + Fees
When: Friday, May 17th through Saturday, May 18th, 2024
(The program will start with breakfast on Friday and end around 6pm on Saturday, so you may wish to arrive on Thursday if coming from out of town)
Where: Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University
Lodging: JB Duke Hotel with a group rate of $234/per night (self-pay), or you may arrange your own lodging
Registration Fee: We have a tiered pricing structure designed to increase attendee participation while being mindful of associated expenses.
- Tier I: $200 for Alumni who graduated fewer than 8 years ago.
- Tier II: $400 for Alumni who graduated 8 to 15 years ago.
- Tier III: $600 for Alumni who graduated 15+ years ago.
What's included with the registration fee?
- Two full days of facilitated learning and reflection
- 3 one-on-one Guide sessions (1 before the course + 2 during)
- All program materials (most delivered electronically)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday; breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail reception on Saturday
Spots will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis, and we will maintain a waitlist should we exceed the registration cap of 15. To secure your spot, complete the registration form using the button below. The Hart Leadership Program will send you a welcome email containing the necessary links to pay the registration fee and confirm your hotel arrangements.
We are firmly committed to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in our programs. Should the registration fee present a difficulty for you, please contact us directly, and we will work together to identify alternative solutions to ensure your participation.
