The retreat experience opened my heart and soul in ways I never would have dreamed possible, at exactly the right time. Susanna and Emma are deeply caring, deeply gifted guides on the journey within. The Four Shields framework fooled me – at first I thought it overly simplistic. Was I ever wrong! Doors look simple, too – but they can lead, as this retreat did, to amazing new pathways of understanding, insight and growth.

Maryn Boess, President/CEO, GrantsUSA LLC, Glendale, AZ

Of all the training I've been through in my 25 years of working in the mental health field as a psychologist, the Four Shields of Leadership retreat was absolutely one of the high points of my professional and personal life. It was a truly beautiful, phenomenal, and transformational experience. The leadership and organization of the retreat was excellent and allowed for deeply personal and relevant exploration of the Four Shields model. The model is one that has the natural power to guide and empower anyone who chooses to explore it. Sharing learning about this model in a beautiful, natural setting - with beautiful, like-minded women can change your life for the better. It has changed mine. Thank you Susan and Emma!!!

Helene Stafford Suh, Ph.D.  Clinical Psychologist, Founder of the Family Enrichment Program, Savannah, Georgia 

The retreat was truly transformational for me. The nature-based setting led me to reconnect with the inner spirit that drives my daily behavior in corporate America - a spirit diametrically opposed to the majority perspective within our culture but one much needed as a balance for leadership and organizational growth.

Judi Adams; Service Delivery Leader, American Express; Phoenix, Arizona

The Four Shields of Leadership retreat had a profound effect on me as a leader. It went beyond an intellectual understanding of leadership to give me an embodied experience of my own unique leadership style. I was able to transcend what I thought a leader "should do" to appreciate who I am and who I am becoming. I also have new tools to guide others to bring all that they have to offer to their leadership. I would highly recommend the Four Shields of Leadership retreat to anyone who is in a position of leadership. It is a deeply personal experience that will challenge and reward on every level.

Holly Foster Director of Organizational Development for Coconino Country, Flagstaff, Arizona

Participating in this retreat was a powerful experience for me. I now have a new way to look at myself, both personally and as a leader. I am not an "outdoors" person and yet I really enjoyed being in relationship with nature while exploring my leadership using the Four Shields model as a lens. This was so different from other programs conducted within the four walls of a building. Susan and Emma created a very safe environment in which to explore deeply personal issues and at the same time challenged us to push our limits.  I highly recommend the Four Shields program to women who are interested in exploring their leadership using the wisdom of this innovative approach.

Urusa Fahim, Ph.D.; Professor, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, California

There was a wonderfully easy flow to how Susanna and Emma worked together as facilitators. I felt an integrated lived knowledge in their presentations as well as a strong conceptual understanding. They were also very open and responsive to the needs of both individuals and the group. I am amazed at just how inviting the experience of each shield is, how it brings more depth to one's understanding of leadership, no matter what "level" you're on. As a result of this retreat, I value myself as a leader in ways I never did before. I also am able to rest more confidently in who I am.

What a profound learning experience this was for me! The nature of the Four Shields model makes the application to life and leadership immediate. Participating in this retreat has allowed me to make significant changes in my own leadership and in the way I try to influence my larger organization. It has transformed my leadership on multiple levels, all of which has helped me be more effective, personally and professionally. The greatest realization I walked away with is how fear paralyzes me as a leader and how most of the time it is perceived fear, not real fear.

Kristi Shambaugh; Service Delivery Leader, American Express; Phoenix, Arizona

Susanna and Emma were terrific. They were very organized, quite knowledgeable, and full of passion. They infused the material with their own life stories in a way that brought it alive and made it more meaningful. I really liked the layers of choices and reassurances built into the exercises, which functioned to keep me feeling safe and supported with regard to my needs. Thus, I was able to venture out and have a different experience than I might have within more rigid rules or boundaries, e.g. "one size fits all." Essentially, they set up a safe space in which we were free to carve out our own unique experiences. The combination of exercises and group interaction afterwards combined to help me see a deep pattern that I've been stuck in for too long as well. Out of that emerged new possibilities for my life and my leadership. Their excellent craftsmanship in putting the right kinds of experiences in the right places and in the right order really brought forth the shining light I've been longing to see.

Ivy Medow; Disability Program Navigator, State of Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration; Phoenix, Arizona

This retreat definitely changed my life and my way of being a leader as well as a woman. It gave me a perspective of myself and nature that is more connected and trusted than I have ever felt before. Highly recommended at any point in your growth as a leader, this program uniquely opens doors inside of one’s psyche, inside of one’s soul, and is a deep self education that will last and keep informing for a long time to come. It will go down as one of the BEST!

Debrae Firehawk; Inter-faith minister, Psychic communicator, Dance teacher; Willits, California