The 2026 CEO Retreat: Leading with Resilience
When nonprofit leaders have space to reflect, reconnect, and recharge, they return better equipped to lead their organizations and strengthen our community. Foellinger Foundation offers the annual CEO Retreat to meet this need—it’s a chance for executives to be reminded of how much their work matters and how much they are valued.
This year’s CEO Retreat was held on May 13–14, 2026, at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana, and was facilitated by Ritch Hochstetler, CEO of ULEAD, Inc., and Suzanne Smith, Founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects. Centered on the theme of resilience, fifty-two nonprofit executives participated in sessions designed to sustain their leadership and in a variety of self-selected wellness and renewal activities.
Luther Whitfield
President & CEO, Covenant Community Development Corporation
“The most valuable aspect of the CEO Retreat was the opportunity to step away from our familiar environments and immerse ourselves in a setting designed for reflection, clarity, and renewal,” said Luther Whitfield, President & CEO of Covenant Community Development Corporation. “Being at the retreat center created the space to think more expansively and reconnect with fellow CEOs in a meaningful way. Strengthening those relationships—grounded in shared purpose and collective leadership—reminded me of the powerful impact we can have when we align our vision and work together to elevate the city.”
Dee Szyndrowski
CEO, Iris Family Support Center
Dee Szyndrowski, CEO of Iris Family Support Center, explained, “As a CEO, you really do not have the time to stop and be intentional about connections with other CEOs. Having the opportunity to carve out time to be yourself and connect with others is invaluable for me. It helps me to know that I am not alone in some of the issues that I am dealing with as a CEO. I can open myself up to learn from others, laugh (as laughter heals the soul), and share space in a safe environment.”
Tristin Lichtsinn
Director, Police Athletic League
“As a first-year Executive Director, it was reassuring to learn that many of the struggles I have experienced are not unique to me,” said Tristin Lichtsinn, Director of Police Athletic League (PAL) Fort Wayne. “The retreat provided practical tools and strategies for board engagement, organizational leadership, and sustainability while helping me build a network of peers I can reach out to for guidance and support.”
Tristan continued, “I arrived at the retreat feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. As the Director of the Police Athletic League, I often find myself wearing multiple hats and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization with limited support. The retreat came at a critical point in my leadership journey and gave me a renewed sense of purpose and direction.”
Dee agreed, “Most of the time, we churn and burn, or run a mile a minute, so this opportunity really challenged me as a leader to understand the value of the ability to pause, reflect, and move strategically. As a result of these retreat experiences, I try to take two days per quarter to replicate the pause. It’s totally not as much fun doing the pause alone as with your colleagues, but taking that time to understand the value of the 50-foot view as the leader of the organization is invaluable to the organization and the mission.”
“What I carried forward most from the CEO Retreat was the deeper understanding of how essential intentional self‑care is to effective leadership,” Luther added. “The sessions on board development and staffing were valuable, but the true breakthrough for me came from the speaker’s focus on personal well‑being. It reframed self‑care not as an individual luxury, but as a strategic necessity—one that directly influences the health of the team and the overall strength of the organization. Since returning, I’ve been more deliberate about integrating practices that support my own sustainability as a leader, knowing that it ultimately elevates our culture, our decision‑making, and our collective impact.”
Tristin concluded, “I am incredibly grateful to Foellinger Foundation for investing in nonprofit leaders through opportunities like the CEO Retreat. The experience reminded me that leadership does not have to be done alone and that there is a strong community of leaders willing to support one another. I left with new relationships, actionable strategies, and a renewed commitment to strengthening the Police Athletic League and expanding opportunities for the youth and families we serve.”
Thank you to all participants for stepping away from their fast-paced, urgent daily tasks and engaging in self-reflection, connection, growth, and renewal—Allen County is better for it!
