FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I know if I’m qualified to participate?
Our goal is to bring compassion and healing to organizations by developing global leaders who have the courage, the confidence and the skills to improve Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.
The Executive Retreat for Organizational Healing in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico is a 5-day intensive DEIB development program designed to enhance the effectiveness of leaders who are already implementing strategies for diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and/or related change management in their organizations. Qualified applicants must be executive leaders, senior leaders, or high-potential managers currently driving or evaluating DEI outcomes so that the knowledge and skills gained during the retreat can be applied and further developed throughout the year. Limited space is available to participate in the retreat; Intake Form Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis.
GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANT SELECTION
The following people are encouraged to apply to participate in the retreat:
- Leaders: Board Members, Founders, Principals, Presidents, Chief Officers, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Executive Directors, Senior Directors
- Sectors: Education, For-Profits, Foundations, Government, NGOs, Nonprofits
- Key Criteria: Applicants must currently be driving or evaluating DEI outcomes so that the knowledge and skills gained during the retreat can be applied and further developed throughout the year.
To be considered to participate, you must first complete the Intake Form then join a free 30-minute Info Session with a Bruno Ford Facilitator. The session will be 1:1 and completely confidential.
If you qualify to participate in the retreat: The Bruno Ford team will email you the necessary links to complete your registration and make your payment.
If you don’t qualify to participate in the retreat at this time: You are encouraged to sign up for executive coaching with a Bruno Ford coach and/or coordinate with the Bruno Ford team to deliver one or more workshops for your organization.
Q: How much does the retreat cost?
The retreat fee is $7,995 USD. This covers:
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Luxury hotel stay for 5 nights
- 5 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 2 Dinners catered by top local chefs
- 20+ DEI Implementation Tools, Resources + Approaches
- 16+ hours of in-person workshops facilitated by Kali Mincy + Diana Noriega
- 11+ hours of personal reflection time
- 2-hr private cacao ceremony on the beach (group)
- 90-min private sound bath (group)
- 60-min private massage or bodywork session by world-renowned practitioners
- Access to guided nature hikes, yoga classes, surf lessons, pristine beaches + beach clubs -- all within 300 meters to 1.2 km (i.e., a walking distance of 4 - 15 minutes for people whose mobility permits it)
- Access to a network of global leaders advancing diversity, equity + inclusion
Q: Why is it so cheap?
Because our team has lived and worked in the region for several years, we have developed strong relationships with top talent in the area, from chefs and massage therapists to adventure trip leaders and real estate providers. You’ll have access to unique spaces for work, play, and exploration that most tourists to the region don’t often see or hear about. As a result, our network is proud to provide services at affordable rates, so the local economy may thrive and executive retreat participants are encouraged to continue to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
Q: I don’t see a link or button to pay for retreat registration. How do I pay?
Intake Forms are now open. Complete yours today to confirm your eligibility. Limited space is available for the Executive Retreat for Organizational Healing in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. To be considered to participate, you must first complete the Intake Form then join a free 30-minute Info Session with a Bruno Ford Facilitator. The session will be 1:1 and completely confidential.
Our goal is to bring compassion and healing to organizations by developing global leaders who have the courage, the confidence and the skills to improve Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.
The Executive Retreat for Organizational Healing in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico is a 5-day intensive DEIB development program designed to enhance the effectiveness of leaders already implementing strategies for diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and/or related change management in their organizations. Applicants must be executive leaders, senior leaders, or high-potential managers currently driving or evaluating DEI outcomes so that the knowledge and skills gained in this program can be applied and developed further throughout the year. Intake Form Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis.
If you qualify to participate in the retreat: The Bruno Ford team will email you the necessary links to complete your registration and make your payment.
Q: How will you decide who can register for the retreat? If I am accepted, when will my payment be due?
The first step is to complete the intake form. This will give our facilitators a sense of what you’re looking to accomplish during your time in the Riviera Nayarit. From there, we will schedule a free, 30-minute info session to discuss your goals and to answer any questions you might have. Filling out the intake form does not guarantee your application will be accepted. Our intake form and info sessions are designed to confirm eligibility. Following your conversation with one of our facilitators, if we determine the retreat is a fit for you, you will be invited to submit a full application.Your application will be processed in the order it was received. If your application is accepted, you will be invited to register and pay for the retreat. Full payment is required to confirm registration. Your spot will be confirmed when it is paid in full.
Q: I want to attend but can’t afford it. What do you suggest?
The Executive Retreat for Organizational Healing is undoubtedly an investment in your career advancement. By focusing on expanding your individual capacity and skills, you can expect accelerated personal and professional growth. If you are unable to afford the retreat now, but are convinced it would be a boost to your career and to your organization, consider mapping out a timeline with relevant stakeholders and decision makers to plan for your professional development at a future retreat. Many retreat participants will attend with the support of their company or employer. If you’d like to discuss how the retreat can benefit you in your specific role, please email simone@brunoford.com to see how the learning aligns with your work.
Q: How many retreat spaces are available?
This retreat is designed to be an intimate experience, so it is limited to 6-10 people. The luxury boutique hotel accommodations only include 8 rooms, so if you are among the last 2 people to sign up, we will discuss your options for a comparable stay at another property close to all retreat activities. We can also arrange customized retreats for work teams. Contact simone@brunford.com to discuss.
Q: Will I have my own bedroom and bathroom?
Yes! The cost of the group retreat is based on single occupancy and each bedroom has its own private bathroom. Each room is unique, all have access to the pool and include free breakfast each morning at the hotel’s restaurant with spectacular views.
Q: How easy is it to get from the Puerto Vallarta airport to the retreat location?
Round-trip ground transportation will be provided for you to and from the Puerto Vallarta international airport (PVR)—included in your registration fee—and will be organized by our team at no additional cost. Travel time by car from PVR to San Francisco, Nayarit is approximately one hour. If you are arriving at a similar time and/or on the same flight as another retreat participant, we may ask if you are willing to share the ride. However, you also have the option to request a private ride.
As a reminder, it’s free to fill out our Intake Form! Once you do, one of our facilitators will reach out to schedule a free, 30-minute info session to discuss your goals and to answer any questions you might have.
Q: The retreat is hosted in Mexico, will workshops and other activities be conducted in English or in Spanish?
All retreat activities will be conducted in English, though several of our facilitators are bilingual in Spanish and English. Some of the wellness services may be conducted by primarily Spanish-speaking providers; however, our team can provide bilingual support staff to accompany you to any appointments or other activities for which you feel you need translation or other accommodations.If you are interested in practicing your Spanish, we can help schedule individual classes for you during the retreat, or you can talk to locals and other Spanish-speaking tourists during the ample down time built into the itinerary.
Q: What can I expect from a typical day? Will all meals be included?
Each day during the executive retreat will include a well-balanced itinerary that integrates hands-on DEIB learning with active wellness practices and somatics, such as a cacao ceremony, a sound bath, and individual massages with experienced therapists. There is also an intentional space given for what the Italians call dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing), so that participants have ample time to reflect, rest, and refresh during the retreat.All breakfasts and lunches (with healthy, brain-fueling snacks) are included, as well as two dinners provided by the region’s top chefs. Keeping in mind the mix of introverts and extroverts that are inevitably in each group, there are also times where participants can dine alone or with others, electing their preference on select nights. Please note: these evening meals (three in total) are not included in your registration, so we recommend you budget $20-$50 USD extra for each dinner.For adventure-seekers, there are optional morning hikes, surf lessons, yoga or other nature outings available, and each registrant will have access to one massage or other somatics practice of their choosing, organized by our team according to availability and individual preference. Additionally, the mind-body connection is thoughtfully emphasized in the flow of daily activities throughout.
See the full itinerary for more details here.
Q: How many coaching sessions are included during the retreat, and what type of one-on-one support is available for ongoing accountability after the retreat?
This executive retreat includes over 16 hours of workshops, plus healing sessions. Leaders who elect to purchase the Executive Coaching Add-On will receive two 60-minute coaching sessions (virtually) within the first two months after the retreat. This offer comes at a one-time discount on Executive Coaching services when booked in conjunction with the event.
This offers participants invaluable follow-up support with our facilitators to ensure continuous learning and personal accountability. Although the Executive Coaching Add-On is neither included nor required, Bruno Ford believes that leadership training combined with coaching best supports individual needs and helps clients ensure the long-term results they want.
For nearly two decades, Bruno Ford consultants and coaches have been regarded, by Fortune 500s and nonprofits, for their customized leadership development and DEIB approaches. If you’re serious about becoming a leader who defines a culture, we highly recommend you take advantage of this special offer, as Bruno Ford’s one-on-one coaching for executives, senior leaders, and high-potential people-managers is world renowned.
When you’re invited to submit your registration form, you will be given the option to purchase the Executive Coaching Add-on (at a deeply discounted rate for retreat participants only).
Q: What if I want to stay in Riviera Nayarit longer? What should I do, see, and eat while I’m there to maximize the retreat’s benefits?
Our team includes several people who have lived long-term in San Francisco, Nayarit (“San Pancho”), including a travel writer and former restaurant owner who is also the events manager for Bruno Ford. We will be happy to assist you with places to stay, see, eat, and enjoy the region should you wish to stay on beyond the retreat dates. This service does not include making any additional bookings or coordinating activities external to the retreat, but we are available to make recommendations and answer questions you may have prior to finalizing your travel plans.
Q: What if I get sick or there are external circumstances that prevent me from attending? Can I get a refund?
These intimate retreats include meals and accommodations, which requires us to provide advance payment to the local providers. For this reason, we cannot accommodate refunds, unfortunately. However, if you have a true emergency or other obstacle to attending, we can work with you to reschedule your retreat for a future date, if you notify us within 60 days of the event date. Additionally, if there is another member of your organization who might benefit from the retreat in your place, we can discuss the option of having them fill your spot, though we will need to be sure they are a fit for the retreat and could benefit equally from the experience.
Q: Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
We will do everything possible to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions with prior notice (preferably upon registration; no later than 60 days prior to retreat dates). However, San Pancho is a small town with limited access to purchase last-minute items, so we cannot guarantee any accommodations without prior notice. If you have a severe allergy or other medical condition, please notify us upon registration of any special requests that are essential to your wellness and retreat experience.
Q: Can I bring my significant other, child, or other friend/colleague to stay with me if they are not attending the retreat?
This executive retreat is geared toward inner healing and deep, active learning, so it is therefore essential that you plan to attend alone to avoid any distractions, familial obligations, etc. Even in the time outside of the retreat activities, the process of integrating the mind-body learning requires solitude and inward focus to reap the full benefits of the retreat design. If you’d like to have others join you pre- or post-retreat, we will be glad to share recommendations for nearby accommodations and activities you might enjoy together.
Q: I want to attend, but I have concerns or questions that are not answered here. What should I do?
If you feel this retreat is for you, but something is holding you back, we are here to answer any questions and respond to your concerns. Please email our event manager at simone@brunoford.com to learn what powerful transformations are possible for you. We will always be honest with you about what the retreat offers, whether or not it aligns with your role in the DEIB space, and will provide any additional information you might need, especially as it relates to having an employer or company support you on your personal wellness journey.
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