Marissa Theisen has spent most of her professional life working to bring people together for the common good. After receiving her graduate degree in City and Regional Planning (from Harvard University) she worked for a national nonprofit, planning programs to bring citizens together from diverse backgrounds to engage in learning and dialogue about critical environmental issues( like waste water management, flood hazard planning and forest management.

Following a painful divorce which served as a powerful “wake up call,” Marissa was introduced to a Win-Win training program that enhanced her understanding of herself and others, prompted increased understanding of her role in the divorce, and provided tools to heal her relationship with her ex-husband and ensure the well-being of her young children.  Inspired by her personal experience with the Win-Win model, Marissa and a colleague launched a successful consulting business providing team building and conflict resolution services to businesses, government agencies and nonprofits across the country.  Eventually, Marissa felt called to return to the nonprofit sector and stepped in as founding CEO of the Arizona Grantmakers Forum (AGF), viewing it as another opportunity to bring diverse groups together for the common good.  After 15 years, Marissa recently stepped down from AGF to launch a consulting practice focused on supporting high net worth individuals and families to realize their philanthropic aspirations.

Like many seeking to grow into authentic self-hood, Marissa has consumed hundreds of books and attended numerous workshops in an effort to better understand herself, other human beings and the larger universe we inhabit. She has come to realize that while personal introspection is important, as communal creatures we also need to share our thoughts and feelings with others to deepen our sense of personal truth. She is looking forward to sharing some of her favorite personal development tools during the retreat as well as learning from the wisdom of others embracing the journey towards wholeness.

Cost: $575 PSW members; $800 PSW non-members

Includes Sunday reception/dinner, lunches, breaks and all materials

 

Audience: Foundation staff, donors, trustees of grantmaking organizations.

 

Time frame: Sunday night (August 7) through Tuesday (August 9) at 5:00 p.m.

 

Opportunity to come earlier and stay later as time permits for longer connection with colleagues and to enjoy the mountains!

 

 

One of the goals of the planning group for PSW's Retreat for Women in Philanthropy was that the site for the retreat be in a quiet, beautiful setting. Westcliffe, Colorado fills "the bill." Located in Custer County, in Colorado's Wet Mountain Valley, this area is one of the most scenic and undiscovered regions in the West. Westcliffe is home to 96 mountain summits and peaks and is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

 

Lodging: There are many bed and breakfast options in Westcliffe at rates ranging from $99 to $129 per night.
 

How do you travel to Westcliffe? If you are flying to Colorado, the closest big airport is Colorado Springs Airport (COS). You would then need to rent a car and drive approximately one hour and 40 minutes. If you fly into Denver (DEN), it is likely your airfare would be more reasonable.  Either way, during the final leg of your trip to Westcliffe, you will be driving through stupendous canyons.

 

Altitude: Westcliffe's elevation is 7,888 ft. If time and budget permit, you might consider coming in a day earlier to adapt. But the real key is to hydrate once there!