Break Through Boundaries:
Become Unstoppable in Any Room, Without Losing Yourself
You’re a professional woman who sometimes struggles with the demands of leadership, and eager to retreat from the daily grind to contemplate a style of leadership that feels congruent with who you want to be in the world. We’re here for you.
Away from the hustle and bustle of your busy life, you’ll discover a safe and supportive space to contemplate a deeper level of self-awareness and self-acceptance. Let majestic horses assist you in nurturing your connection to personal power based on competence, confidence and self-mastery rather than the overt and covert forms of dominance that commonly define the term.
Experience the stunning backdrops of Kananaskis Country, surrounded by accomplished women who share your vision of contributing to teams though a more compassionate form of leadership, where safety for self and others is paramount.
Cowgirl confident:
Leadership Lessons from the Range
Leadership training teaches you how to communicate, how to manage, how to influence. But it rarely teaches you how to protect your time, energy, and self-worth.
It doesn’t prepare you to:
Push back without being labeled “too much” or “too emotional.”
Say no without fear of losing opportunities.
Stand firm without sacrificing relationships.
Hold your ground when you’re the only woman in the room.
That’s where this program is different.
It’s about expanding into the leader you were always meant to be.
This program empowers professional women embrace their whole selves while fostering authentic relationships and meaningful connections . Participants will develop relational intelligence and leadership skills that amplify their impact, enhance their credibility and confidence, and create lasing change in their personal and professional lives.
For too long, leadership has been about adapting. Adapting to expectations. Adapting to environments. Adapting to systems that weren’t built with women in mind.
But true leadership isn’t about adapting. It’s about defining. Defining who you are and how you show up.
Here are the results you can expect:
Master Relational Intelligence
Cultivate Compassionate and Authentic Leadership
Empower Personal Growth and Professional Impact
Gather up at the Scott Ranch August 3-6, 2025
Follow the trail of cowboys, movie moguls and world leaders to Kananaskis Country in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, where many a Western has been filmed and where Canada hosts world leaders at the G7/G8 Summit (2002, 2025).
At Cannes last year, the Scott Ranch shared the 2023 Global Production Award Location of the Year with two other southern Alberta ranches. Movies filmed here include Academy Award winners Legends of the Fall and Unforgiven, as well as eighteen seasons of the Heartland, Canada’s longest running TV series.
Come ready to experience the peace and quiet of nature, forge long-lasting friendships and embrace leadership roles with bigger, faster and stronger creatures who seek nothing more than creating peace and cooperation.
Your Facilitators
Susan Clarke, MA
Susan B. Clarke has been coaching leaders and facilitating teams and groups for over 20 years. Her journey into coaching began after recovering from a terminal cancer diagnosis by uniting diverse doctors and healers, whose collaborative approach profoundly shaped her life and work.
Susan is passionate about helping leaders communicate effectively, bridge differences, and navigate crisis, conflict, and change. As co-founder of Thrive Inc., a boutique team building, facilitation, coaching and consulting firm she created with her partner, CrisMarie Campbell, Susan focuses on empowering leaders, teams, and partnerships for a broad spectrum of clients including Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, AT&T Wireless, and Johnson & Johnson.
In addition to their work at Thrive Inc, Susan and CrisMarie are also authors of the business book: The Beauty of Conflict: Harnessing Your Team’s Competitive Advantage.
Jocelyn Hastie, CPA
Through finding her heart in horses and country living as an adult, Jocelyn discovered to her horror that her leadership style alternated between bullying and bribery.
As prey animals, horses rely on their finely tuned senses for safety. They read the energy in each interaction, revealing lies and incongruence. Horses test boundaries, walk on doormats and avoid bullies.
Once she could guide a horse at liberty (without a halter or lead rope) in a 60-foot round pen with the wave of her arm, Jocelyn grasped the essence of leadership—becoming a leader that others CHOOSE to follow out of trust and mutual respect.
A leader worthy of being followed.
A life-long learner, Jocelyn has a unique combination of three decades of both finance supervisory/management in the energy industry (CPA 1991) and in breeding, training, and showing Peruvian Horses. She is a Certified Equine Gestaltist (2012), a Distinguished Toastmaster (2019) and communications coach, and holds a certificate of completion in the Foundations of Woman-Centered Coaching (2023).
Nicole St. Michel, MA
Nicole will be leading our morning group meditations and an evening healing circles.
With a master’s in counselling psychology, she is registered as a Canadian Certified Counsellor.
Classically trained in India, Nicole has been teaching Yoga and Meditation for more than fifteen years and has had the privilege of learning alongside several great masters. A very creative person by nature, Nicole loves to channel her energy through music, art, and movement.
What’s included
What’s not included
We can assist you in arranging transfers from YYC to Kananaskis
Our proposed agenda
Monday
Opening ceremony to create a safe container to allow deep connection and exploration.
Movie night
Tuesday
Morning group meditation led by Nicole to set the stage for the day.
Tour of Scott Ranch movie sets and study of herd dynamics
Mindful grooming and connection experience with the horses
Group debrief and discussion
Campfire with entertainment
Wednesday
Morning group meditation with Nicole
Leadership experience with the horses
Group debrief and discussion
Healing circle with Nicole
Thursday
Healing Morning group meditationcircle with Nicole
Morning group meditation
Group debrief and closing ceremony
Departure by 3:00
Payment details & refund policy
Click here to make your down payment of $500 to secure your spot and make your accommodation choices. This payment is fully refundable until March 15, 2025. We offer discounts for early payments and cash payments.
Experience Kananaskis Country, where world leaders gather
One of the most beautiful places on earth, Kananaskis is the host site chosen for the 2002 G8 Summit, and the upcoming 2025 G7 summit.
Primary Accommodations
River Ranch Kananaskis
Home of all group events and most meals.
Elegant, private ensuites with bidet toilets and heated bathroom floors provide a touch of luxury, ensuring every moment feels indulgent
Luxurious amenities including plush robes, cozy slippers, and spa-quality lotions, hand soaps, and shower gels invite you to unwind
Restful nights on a king-or queen-sized bed with a pillow-top mattress, wrapped in the finest linens, accompanied by a serene sitting area – perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure
Modern conveniences like USB outlets keep you connected during your stay
Enjoy shared spaces including the welcoming Broadbent Lounge and three expansive decks, offering spectacular views of the Highwood River and the majestic Canadian Rockies
Dine surrounded by nature in the Conservatory, featuring a charming wood-burning stove
Direct access to the Highwood River, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and some of Canada’s best fly fishing spots
Explore picturesque walking paths that lead to hidden seating areas, or lose yourself in a good read at the covered gazebo with a community library
Gather around the covered bar, communal seating area, and firepit for evenings beneath a star-filled sky, sharing stories with fellow travelers from around the globe
Four guest rooms available with king or queen beds.
Relax in the private hot tub or sauna, and enjoy the serene ambiance of the ranch with its tranquil ponds and wildlife.
You must have transportation as Serene Cowhorse Ranch is a twenty minute drive from River Retreat Kananaskis. This is one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever experience.
You will have access to all shared spaces at River Retreat Kananaskis during free time.
Testimonials
Helen Fernald
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Hena Husain
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Sharon Wade
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Helen Fernald
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
What can women learn from horses?
Most of us believe that dogs teach us lessons about loyalty and unconditional love. My experience has been that horses put us in touch with our personal power – power based on competence, confidence and self-mastery rather than the overt and covert forms of dominance that commonly define the term.
Horses are clearly bigger and stronger than humans, but are willing to follow our lead if we prove ourselves to be someone who is calm, congruent and grounded. Experience the magic of earning your leadership stripes with these majestic creatures and your relationships will be changed forever.
Acknowledge your emotions
When a horse is spooked by a plastic bag, instinct tells them they are in grave danger whether or not it’s true. Once the “danger” has passed, horses don’t pretend that they weren’t scared. “Wow, that was really scary. I’m glad it’s over,” is much healthier than denying the emotions. We humans, on the other hand, look around to see if anyone else saw us trip on the sidewalk crack.
Hang with your friends
Make time to be with those who nourish your soul.
Talk things over with them to gain perspective. If you watch out for them while they nap, they’ll do the same
for you. Share a laugh.
Kick up your heels when you're happy
Run around, toss your mane, buck, snort and fart. Well, maybe not the last one.
Get back to grazing
Once the upset has passed, let it go and get back to what nourishes you. For horses, it’s grazing.
Be polite to your herdmates or you may get kicked or bitten.
Your behaviour has a big impact on your relationships. Being honest in your interactions diminishes resentment and lashing out.
Don't kick and bite if a dirty look will get your point across
Run around, toss your mane, buck, snort and fart. Well, maybe not the last one.
What can women learn from horses?
This program empowers professional women embrace their whole selves while fostering authentic relationships and meaningful connections . Participants will develop relational intelligence and leadership skills that amplify their impact, enhance their credibility and confidence, and create lasing change in their personal and professional lives.
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