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On the morning of September 5th, 36 strangers, with the same goal embarked on a 9-month journey. They say leadership is a skill, not a function, and the greatest leaders are the ones who recognize that and are always seeking to develop and grow. We, the class of 2024-2025 gathered for a two-day (kickoff) Leadership of Greater Nashua overnight retreat at the Barbara Harris Conference Center.
The morning began with opening remarks by Amy Cassin, Senior Relationship Manager, and VP of Bangor Savings Bank. Amy is a graduate of the LGN Program. Then the real work began with Nathan Karol, President of Cardinal Consulting. We quickly learned that leaders need the humility to know they don’t know it all. Nathan began with, “mapping your adventure”. Where have you come from? Where do you want to go? How can LGN help you get there? We broke out into small groups and slowly began peeling back the layer of ourselves, and quickly began to form new friendships. Stay tuned for more details on the afternoon shenanigans!
Michelle Beeny
Gateways Community Service
Our retreat began with a delightful buffet lunch at the onsite Dining Center. We were assigned tables based on our regions, which offered a great opportunity to bond with fellow attendees from similar locations. After lunch, Nathan Karol guided us through the afternoon’s activities. We started with introductions, sharing where we live and a brief work history. What was intended to be a quick introduction turned into a profound sharing session, allowing us to connect with each other’s stories. This set the stage for the rest of the day, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Next, we formed breakout groups for self-reflection and activities based on Brene Brown’s book, “Dare to Lead.” These discussions were both insightful and inspiring, encouraging us to think critically about leadership and vulnerability.
We then moved outdoors for a spirited tug-of-war activity. Our group of 36 was split into two teams, and we grabbed the brand-new rope, we leaned back and pulled with all our might, and the rope suddenly snapped, sending everyone tumbling to the ground. Amidst the laughter and momentary pain from the fall, we all took it in stride, and the experience became a memorable highlight. Sadly we did not capture it on video, however, the memory will stay with us forever.
Following the tug-of-war, we created a world map of heritage. Each of us chose a location on a fictional map that resonated with our heritage and briefly explained our choice. This activity helped to deepen our understanding of each other’s backgrounds and cultures.
We then retrieved our belongings from our vehicles and headed down the hill to our assigned cabins—one for males and three for females. This gave everyone a chance to change into comfortable clothing for the upcoming water activities.
Reassembled from our cabins, we enjoyed various outdoor activities. Some stayed on shore, sitting on the docks, or taking a dip, while others ventured across the lake in kayaks or on stand-up paddle boards (SUPs). A few LGN alumni joined us on shore, adding to the fun and camaraderie.
We reconvened at the same dining hall for dinner, but this time we chose our own tables, encouraging us to sit with new people and foster new connections. The presence of visiting LGN alumni enriched our conversations and broadened our network.
After dinner, we gathered outside the dining center for a panel discussion with LGN alumni. Paul Hebert shared the history of LGN and its mission to ensure leadership continuity in times of crisis in Nashua. The discussion offered valuable insights into the purpose behind class projects, which aim to give back to Nashua, typically through non-profit initiatives. Alumni shared their experiences with various projects, including successes, failures, committee formation, communication, and meeting deadlines.
As the evening progressed, we worked together to gather kindling for a campfire. Some made s’mores, while others shared snacks and drinks. The campfire was well-attended, and many engaging discussions took place around the fire, lasting for hours.
The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold—ideal for an outdoor retreat. We ended the day with thoughts of new friendships and great conversations, excited for the new morning together.
Chris Brackett
Greater Nashua Technology Consulting
Day two of the Leadership Greater Nashua retreat started off with a chilly, sunny morning. We kicked off our day with a much-needed cup of coffee and chatting over breakfast with our new connections. After breakfast, we dove right into our first session of the day with Dr. Cynthia Whitaker. Her focus was on conscious leadership, highlighting how the balance of demands and resources in the workplace impacts how we lead and how we work. It was a thought-provoking session that challenged us to think about leadership in a more intentional, holistic way.
Next, we moved outside for team-building activities led by Jake King from Thrive Outdoors, LLC. Our first challenge, humorously titled “The Pit of Despair,” was chaotic, to say the least. As a large group, we found ourselves struggling to navigate the confusion, but through trial and error, we learned to listen, communicate, and most importantly, trust one another. By the end of the activity, we had transformed the chaos into cooperation, with each person playing a role in helping the team succeed.
Our second activity was called the “Lunar Walk.” This time, we split into smaller groups and had to work together to build a structure and complete a race. With fewer voices, communication was smoother, and it became clear that smaller teams allowed for more cohesion. We applied the lessons learned in “The Pit of Despair” to this activity, and it showed—we worked faster, communicated better, and understood the importance of collaboration.
Throughout both challenges, there was a recurring theme: stress. As Jake King wisely reminded us, “Stress makes your muscles grow.” These activities may have been stressful, but they pushed us to grow as individuals and as leaders.
What struck me the most was how we entered the retreat as strangers. Over the past two days, through shared experiences, lots of laughs, and a few stressful moments, we left feeling more comfortable and connected as a group. It was a powerful reminder of how teamwork, trust, and a little bit of stress can bring people closer together.
Dakota Bilodeau
Bishop Guertin High School
