WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP RETREATS

Because Some Journeys Begin with Stillness

Experience your own renaissance at what guests have described as “magical,” “soul-filling,” and “transformative.”

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A green bicycle with flower-filled crates on the front and back, parked next to a stone wall and a potted olive tree outside a shop.
A woman sitting on the edge of a rectangular swimming pool with her feet in the water, near a stone building with a tiled roof and a small round window, surrounded by lush greenery.

Nova Immersion retreats aren’t just about travel (although Italy is a dream destination for many!).

Our retreats are about claiming the time, space, and tools to reflect, reconnect, and step into what’s next with clarity and intention.

Our first international retreat took place in Florence, and we’ve returned to Italy ever since. This year, we’ll return to Tuscany, a region rooted in beauty, stillness, and creative inspiration. It’s no coincidence that we retreat in Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance - because in many ways, this is yours.

A personal renaissance.

You’ll return home more grounded, more alive, and more connected to what truly matters - with a renewed sense of possibility and the courage to act on it.

At Nova, we’ve spent the last decade guiding women through transition and transformation - some bold, some quiet, all deeply personal.

We understand first-hand what it’s like to lead, to serve, to show up fully for others… and still feel the tug for something more.

Why Retreat With Us?

Our retreats are designed to honor that quiet knowing - the moment when you realize you’re ready for something deeper.
Something more aligned. More integrated. More you. 

With carefully curated content, a circle of extraordinary women, and a setting that inspires creativity, clarity, and courage, we create the conditions for transformation
- not through pressure, but through space.

This is not a retreat that asks you to become someone new. It’s an experience that brings you back to your most grounded, most powerful self.

You’ll be guided by Kathleen Woodhouse and Lisa Mink - trusted coaches, experienced facilitators, and co-founders of Nova Leadership - who blend deep corporate insight with soul-centered leadership to meet you exactly where you are, and help you move forward with intention.

This retreat is for you if:

  • Line drawing of a woman with glasses working on a laptop against a black background.

    AT WORK...

    You’ve been leading for a long time - now you’re making space to hear your own voice again.

    ◆ Whether you're at the top or building something of your own, you're ready for a path that feels more aligned.

    ◆ Others look to you for clarity and calm - but you rarely get space to reflect for yourself.

  • Minimalist line drawing of a large armchair and a tall potted plant with long leaves, all in gold on a black background.

    AT HOME...

    You show up for everyone, and you’re ready to create space for yourself, too.

    ◆ You’re the go-to person: emotionally, mentally, logistically - and it adds up.

    ◆ You know your own priorities matter - and you’re finally ready to honor that.

  • Outline of a variety of flowers in gold color against a black background.

    INSIDE YOUR SOUL...

    Something in you is stirring. You just need the space to hear it clearly.

    ◆ You sense a next chapter is calling, but the swirl makes it hard to listen.

    ◆ You’ve been craving a pause - not to escape your life, but to return to it with intention.

I'm interested!

What to Expect…

Imagine waking up to soft light over the hills of Tuscany. The air is quiet, the coffee is strong, and the day ahead is yours.

You’ll spend five days immersed in beauty, fostering clarity, creativity, and connection and all within a thoughtfully curated circle of women. Women who are ready to listen, to explore, and to step into what’s next with intention.

The Schedule + Itinerary

  • 2:00 - 4:00PM

    Grounds and villa open for your arrival. Come in, get settled, rest from your travels. Light refreshments will be available.

    4:00 - 8:00 PM

    We begin to build our community Monday afternoon and evening, introducing ourselves to one another and to our beautiful surroundings. We’ll frame the week, and give you insight into the journey ahead. In deference to our international travelers, this will be an early evening to prepare for the week. Following a chef-prepared dinner, we’ll wrap by about 9PM to give everyone a good night’s sleep.

  • All times are approximate!

    7:30 – 9:00AM

    Each day, we’ll have a healthy and light breakfast, including plenty of robust Italian coffee, and other morning beverages.

    9:00 – 12:30PM

    Our morning session each day begins with a mind-body connection aligned to our focus for the day. Each day will bring new insights, and will build on prior content. We’ll spend our mornings challenging your thinking, providing new frameworks and opening possibilities. Group and individual work fosters clarity and insight into what’s most important and relevant for you.

    • Tuesday’s work is around getting you settled for the week: a look back to look forward, and insight into what’s true for you – right now.

    • Wednesday, we’ll look at dreams and possibilities: an exploration of what could be: becoming the architect of your path to purpose.

    • On Thursday, we go deeper into our journey, and look at the allies and dragons you may encounter along the way.

    • Friday morning is all about equipping you to take your learning back: what’s changed, and how to move forward with ease and grace.

    12:30 – 6:00PM

    Each of our full days together has three components: learning with a connection to our surroundings, a hands-on experience to expand our thinking, creativity and boundaries, and, of course, fabulous Italian meals. Our Tuesday – Thursday excursions may include any of the following:

    • A guided walking tour of the hilltop towns of Italy

    • A museum visit with a local art guide

    • A hands-on cooking class with a resident chef

    • A visit to centuries-old olive groves and vineyards including wine and olive oil tasting

    Please note that we do a LOT of walking throughout the week. And often on cobblestone streets or up and down picturesque (and uneven!) steps. Your physical fitness and comfort are important to us, so please plan accordingly.

    7:00 – 10:00PM

    We’ll dine like the Italians: later in the evening, in community, and with carafes of wine and sparkling water at the ready. Italians are known for amazing food, and the tradition of breaking bread together is an important component of our Nova retreats. We believe in fostering community and unstructured conversation over dinner. We’ll review the day, make connections to our personal and professional insights, and have a sneak peek of what’s still to come in our collective journey.

    A note about Friday: On Friday, our morning schedule will look roughly the same as the rest of the week, and we’ll spend time making sure you’re equipped to move forward. Leveraging the insight, knowledge, and the power of the community you’ve created throughout the week, you’ll define a plan to move from Insight to Action. With ample time to salute your journey, we’ll wrap the day by 4PM.

    Optional: A Friday Night Sleepover!

    Because many international flights depart in the early morning or mid-day, please savor your time in the villa one more night, if you’d like. If you choose to depart Saturday morning, an unstructured Friday afternoon and evening could be a relaxing end to your visit.

    While our formal programming wraps Friday at 4PM, you’re more than welcome to stay Friday night at no additional cost. Depending on the number of people staying, we can also coordinate plans for dinner Friday evening.

    Alternatively, if you’re off to enjoy more of what this beautiful country has to offer, please plan your Friday travel so that you’re able to stay with us through our 4PM close.

    We can facilitate your return trip to the airport or to the train station on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, and these transfer fees are included in your registration fees.

    Please note that Saturday departures should be complete by 10AM local time.

What is Included

    • Well - pretty much everything from the time you arrive in Italy…including:

    • Transfers to and from the airport or train station

    • Your own private room in an AMAZING villa

    • Meals and snacks on site from our local chef and restaurant dining per our itinerary

    • Excursions that allow us to enjoy the beauty and wonder of Umbria or Tuscany - including all tips and transfers

    • Community and our work together which begins with a daily yoga / breathing / meditation practice

    • Airfare

    • Spending money for shopping and incidentals

    • That’s it!

About the Location

  • We searched the world for the most beautiful backdrop to hold our destination immersions and we believe we found it! What better place to renew and inspire than in the heart of Italy, a country whose history is richly woven with creativity, artistry, beauty and innovation.

  • Our retreat is in Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and the perfect space to launch your personal renewal.

    You'll spend your retreat surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and sun-drenched hills. And that’s just the beginning - your private room will have you so comfortable you may never want to leave.

    Each bedroom in this refurbished 18th century villa has a queen bed, an en-suite bathroom, and views of the Tuscan countryside.

A glass of red wine on a stone poolside overlooking a sunset sky, trees, and a mountain in the background.
A group of tourists walking through a narrow, arched stone passageway in an old historical site or castle.
Scenic view of rolling green hills with trees and cypress on a hillside, under a clear blue sky.
Two women wearing aprons standing in front of a wall with three large framed posters of Italian recipes. The woman on the left has blonde hair, is smiling, and wearing a white apron with black design. The woman on the right has dark hair, glasses, an
An outdoor scene at dusk with a stone building covered in red ivy, tall cypress trees, a fire pit with a small fire, and outdoor chairs on a gravel surface, with mountains and a dark blue sky in the background.
A woman with wavy brown hair takes a photo of Florence, Italy, with her smartphone. The cityscape includes historic buildings, the Florence Cathedral, and a blue sky with clouds.
A lush garden with neatly trimmed hedges and potted plants, a small fountain, and a variety of trees and shrubs, with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Back view of a woman standing between two trees, looking out over a scenic landscape of rolling green hills and distant mountains, with a wall and decorative vase nearby.

In Their Words

Wondering what the retreat actually feels like?

Listen as past participants reflect on their experience: the shift they felt, the insight they gained, and what it meant to say yes to themselves.

These stories are shared with heart and honesty - and they speak to the transformation that happens when you make space to explore what’s possible.

  • A person sitting on the edge of a swimming pool writing in a notebook, wearing a large sun hat, black top, and shorts. Poolside chairs and a lush green hedge with trees are in the background.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “THIS EXPERIENCE WAS AMAZING!! I'VE BEEN BACK FOR NEARLY THREE WEEKS AND I'M STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS. IT'S LIKE I OPENED A PART OF MY BRAIN WHILE I WAS THERE (AND CLOSED DOWN OTHERS AS WELL), AND THE NEW PATTERN REMAINS!”

  • A woman taking a photo of Florence, Italy, with her smartphone from an overlook, capturing the cityscape including the Florence Cathedral and surrounding historic buildings.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE COMPLETELY TOOK ME OUT OF MY 'REAL LIFE' IN EXACTLY THE WAY I NEEDED IT TO, AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT TIME. I HAVE TAKEN AWAY A NEW SENSE OF PURPOSE, AND MORE ENERGY AND POSITIVITY TO APPROACH THE NEXT PHASE OF MY LIFE.”

  • People walking on a gravel path through a green landscape with trees and rolling hills in the background, during sunset or twilight.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “SINCE COMING BACK, I’M OPERATING FROM A PLACE OF CALM, SECURITY AND EMPOWERMENT – THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RETREAT!”

  • A scenic view of rolling hills with a house surrounded by tall cypress trees, in a golden light during sunset or sunrise.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “THE THEME FOR EACH DAY WAS BEAUTIFULLY WOVEN THROUGH OUR EXPERIENCE FROM MORNING TO NIGHT, INCREASING THE IMPACT EACH DAY HAD ON MY PERSONAL GROWTH AND AWARENESS.”

  • Scenic view of hills and tall trees under a colorful pink and purple sunset sky.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “I THOUGHT THE RETREAT WAS EXCELLENT - THE CARE AND THOUGHT NOVA PUT INTO IT SHOWED AND I FOUND THE TIME SPENT WELL WORTH IT. THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, I FELT SAFE, CARED FOR, AND OPEN TO DISCUSS THINGS FREELY.”

  • A woman with a bun hairstyle sitting at an outdoor wooden table on a deck, surrounded by a lush green landscape with trees and hills in the background, with cups, saucers, and a teapot on the table.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “JUST BEING ABLE TO LEARN NEW CONCEPTS IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING WAS AMAZING. BUT TO BE ABLE TO DIRECTLY TAP INTO LISA AND KATHLEEN’S KNOWLEDGE AND THEIR EXPERIENCE WAS EXTRAORDINARY. THEY’RE ABLE TO TRANSLATE CONCEPTS INTO AN UNDERSTANDING I’D HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ANY OTHER WAY.”

  • Dining table set outdoors with white tablecloth, plates, glassware, candles, and a floral centerpiece, in a garden with trees and greenery.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    “WHILE THERE’S AN AGENDA FOR THE RETREAT, I LOVED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF SHARING AMONGST THE PARTICIPANTS. THE BALANCE OF PUSH AND PULL OF INFORMATION IS GREAT. THESE EVENTS AREN’T EFFECTIVE UNLESS THERE’S REAL LIFE CONTEXT.”

read more attendee stories →

Retreat Details:

Location: Private villa in Tuscany, Italy

Dates: October 12–16, 2026

Group Size: An intimate circle of 8 guests

Investment: $10,950

Registration is open - only a few spots left! 

If Italy is calling to you, join our 2026 Immersion Retreat - an intentionally designed, thoughtfully curated experience for women ready to pause, reconnect, and listen for what’s next.

Space is intentionally limited, and we’d love to welcome you.

download the brochure

FAQ’s

  • We recommend that you fly into Florence. Plan to arrive no later than noon on Monday, and our driver will pick you up for the ~90 minute ride through the Italian countryside to the villa.

    Transportation to and from the Florence airport/train station, or your hotel will be provided along with transportation for all activities during the retreat.

    Further details will be provided upon registration.

    You will not need a car.

  • First and foremost, an open mind and a sense of adventure. Most of the week is casual, and we do a LOT of walking, so please come prepared. Once registered, we’ll send you a more detailed list of suggested items to pack.

  • In order to get the most from your Immersion, we request that you plan to attend the retreat from Monday at 2PM to Friday at 3PM. Late arrivals or early departures impact the group, and each day builds on the prior days’ experience.

  • We know that life happens, and if you’re unable to attend your Nova Immersion, your payment can be redirected to another Immersion assuming that:

    (A) We have space in a later date, and

    (B) We’re able to fill the spot that you’ve canceled.

    Know that your payment includes a $1,000 USD non-refundable deposit.

  • We’re thrilled that you’ll be joining us in Italy! Please note the following:

    • Nova Leadership strongly recommends that you purchase travel protection and trip cancellation insurance if not already covered via your organization or purchasing credit card.

    • The $1000 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

    • The schedule is a general guide for the Nova Leadership’s Women’s Leadership Retreats.

  • Research shows that “if you plan ahead, create social connections on the trip, go far from your work, and feel safe, 94% of vacations have a good ROI in terms of your energy and outlook upon returning to work.”

    While Nova’s Destination Immersions are not a vacation per se, they certainly provide a valuable ROI. Our retreats are intentionally designed to facilitate a new, innovative and authentic approach to life, leadership and purpose. Upon return, you’ll add value to the company: Nova retreats provide the opportunity to align your time, effort and energy with your passion.

    Past participants have shared that they’ve experienced clarity of purpose, renewed focus, and a passion for the work they're doing. Because the company invested in their development, they also reported that it greatly increased their commitment to the company.

    If you’d like more details, take a look at this past participant’s story.

    Feel free to email us at kathleenandlisa@novaleadership.com and we’ll give you just the right words to share with your leader.

    Or if you prefer, share this one page pdf that outlines why your attendance makes good business sense.

  • We can’t wait to have you join us! Fill out the form here and a member of our team will reach out to address any further questions you have regarding the retreat.

    Would you like to talk to us directly before you register? Great! Call or text Kathleen at +1 (512) 468-2024 or Lisa at +1 (512) 626-5709.

Ready to say yes to yourself?

This isn’t about walking away from your life - it’s about stepping more fully into it, with clarity, creativity, and courage.

If you’re feeling the pull toward something deeper- a shift, a spark, a reimagining - let’s talk!

Absolutely no pressure: just a warm, honest conversation to explore whether this experience is right for you.

Or if you already know? We’d be honored to hold your spot.

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