Board Retreat Facilitator
“Sessions that are far greater than the sum of their parts”
We facilitate board retreats for executive teams seeking clearer priorities, stronger group cohesion, and improved decision-making processes. Each retreat is thoughtfully structured to provide a private and cooperative setting where board members can tackle important matters, define future objectives, and strengthen internal rapport.
With experience working with more than 110,000 participants around the world, our award-winning facilitators draw on proven leadership practices and adaptable techniques to shape each retreat. We focus on delivering actionable outcomes that support continued progress and sustained impact.
Let’s shape a retreat that helps your board lead with intention.
Discover how Positive Impact curates sessions that
allow you and your business to thrive.
What We Facilitate
Great content is only made better by great facilitators
As an Award-Winning Facilitator and the Owner and Founder of Positive Impact, Will empowers people around the world to lead their best life by blending the art of coaching, integrating mindfulness principles with skills learned from over a decade’s experience with one of the top-three best-known brands globally. The result is a meaningful vision and a gratifying journey. Read more about Will’s journey from Coca-Cola to Positive Impact below.
Lindsay was recently awarded the Top Entrepreneur Coach by the Coach Foundation. She is a passionate entrepreneur, guide, and coach. She brings her experience as a director and divisional head, along with an international coaching certification to help entrepreneurs and business leaders achieve the strategic growth, scale and success they strive for. The focus is on building a highly strategic plan, finance model and leadership team to support this growth.
Bringing over a decade of leadership and development experience ranging from improv stages to executive offices, Michael has worked with over 50,000 people across North America in supporting their own personal and professional development.
Jason is a TEDx speaker, author, certified Life and Corporate Coach, counsellor, and hypnotherapist. With training in Suicide Intervention (ASIST), NLP, MBSR, MBCT, psychology, and peer support, Jason tailors his approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Driven by a passion for building more cohesive teams, he focuses on emotional intelligence, effective communication, and self-restoration—the triad of success.
It was a pleasure to work with Will and Positive Impact. I was both inspired and empowered to co-deliver a meaningful offsite. Their positive incite into leadership performance and emotional resilience gave me clear direction and tactical tools I could apply to my workplace right away. I thoroughly look forward to working with Will again.
– Haley Daniels
Olympian and Motivational Speaker
Thanks for your incredible support, kindness, professionalism, and realness.
It was my sincere pleasure and privilege to work with you on our event.
You are a unique and special human, and I’m grateful that our paths crossed on this project, and look forward to the next time.
– Shauna Grinke, MBA, CPHR
Vice President – People and CultureThe workshop was an incredibly valuable experience for our team — the facilitator created an open, engaging environment that encouraged honest discussion and collaboration. The content was thoughtfully tailored to our team’s specific goals, making the session both relevant and actionable. We’re excited to continue partnering with Positive Impact to build on the great momentum sparked in this session.
– Shannon Charbonneau
Account Director
Treetop Marketing and Promotion Inc.
I’m leaving our session with a sense of optimism that I haven’t had in a while. It was time extremely well spent! I am sure that we all feel much closer and more connected.
– Participant
MDA Geointelligence Engineering Leadership SummitThe environment that was created made me feel comfortable to participate and collaborate with my colleagues. It was very well organized. I liked the outcome of the brainstorm sessions and warmup activities.
– ParticipantThe level of engagement and pace of the training was excellent. Like the fact that this workshop was trainer-guided, but participants lead!
– ParticipantFantastic facilitating most importantly Will understood when to let us talk and when to corral us back on track. Excellent value this afternoon.
– Engagement Workshop Participant
Featured Workshop
COMS Communication Styles
COMS Communication Styles draws inspiration from Paul Costa and Robert McCrae’s research on the Big Five Personality Model, introducing how different personality styles prefer to communicate along the spectrums of result-driven vs. interpersonal and reflective vs. assertive.
COMS is an interactive communication styles exploration. Through answering 8 strategically designed questions, you and your team will gain valuable insights into how individuals tend to communicate and interact. By visualising this into a simple but effective grid and delivering an interactive workshop, it can be instrumental in improving team dynamics, reducing conflict, and fostering more effective communication across the organization. Each of the four identified style has its strengths in different contexts. Your team will leave the session knowing with a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse communication styles as well as how to leverage each approach and adapt their style to maximize impact and drive positive outcomes.
Strategic Planning
This isn’t just another corporate exercise – it’s a chance for you to engage your team in the planning and execution of the organization and an opportunity to align on strategic planning initiatives and actions.
As strategic planning facilitators, we guide organizations through the strategic planning process. We don’t dictate solutions to you, we enable your groups to co-create strategies based knowledge, experience and diversity. We create an environment conducive to open dialogue, innovation, critical thinking, and collaborative decision-making. This role is distinct in that it focuses on empowering your organization rather than imposing external ideas. Our award-winning facilitators are catalysts for transformative decision-making and planning. We do, however, offer guidance and insight into how other organizations operate and offer suggestions you may wish to implement. To us, strategic planning is more than just a single planning session. We work with our clients to help them navigate the strategic plan throughout the months and even years ahead. With our objective lens, we are well-positioned to offer insights into the strategic plan and execution tactics.
FAQs for Board Retreat Facilitator
What is the role of a board retreat facilitator?
A facilitator helps create a productive environment where board members can focus on strategic conversations. They guide discussions to ensure clarity, foster collaboration, and support alignment on organizational goals. Facilitators bring neutrality and structure to keep the retreat focused and intentional. Their presence allows board members to fully participate without managing the group process.
How does facilitation improve the outcome of a board retreat?
Facilitated retreats are more likely to result in actionable insights, improved relationships, and better alignment. The facilitator ensures equal participation and keeps discussions on track. They help groups navigate sensitive topics without derailing the conversation. A structured approach helps turn ideas into commitments.
What should we expect during a facilitated board retreat?
Expect interactive sessions built around your board’s goals, including open discussion, reflection exercises, and planning activities. Facilitators tailor the process to address the board’s most pressing topics. There’s a balance of structured dialogue and space for real conversation. The experience is designed to be participatory and outcome-oriented.
Can a retreat help resolve tension among board members?
Yes, a well-facilitated session can create space for honest dialogue and help address unresolved tension. Facilitators use tools to surface concerns in a constructive way. This can lead to better understanding and renewed commitment. The goal isn’t to mediate conflict but to strengthen relationships and alignment.
How do you prepare for a board retreat?
Preparation often includes interviews with board leadership, pre-retreat surveys, and alignment on goals. The facilitator will also work with you to finalize a clear agenda. Participants should come ready to engage, reflect, and contribute. Advanced preparation helps ensure time is used well.
Are these sessions in-person or virtual?
Both formats are possible, and each has its advantages. In-person retreats allow for informal conversations and deeper interpersonal connection. Virtual sessions, when well-facilitated, are still highly interactive and more convenient for geographically dispersed boards. We can help you choose the best format for your group.
How long is a typical board retreat?
Board retreats typically run from a half-day to two days depending on the organization’s needs. Shorter sessions can address a focused topic, while longer ones allow for strategic planning and team-building. The format is always adapted to fit your board’s availability and priorities. We’ll work with you to determine what’s most effective.
What kinds of boards benefit from retreat facilitation?
Nonprofits, corporations, cooperatives, and associations all benefit from periodic facilitated retreats. Whether newly formed or long-established, boards gain value from structured time together. These sessions help build alignment, surface concerns, and plan for the future. Any board that wants to improve its effectiveness can benefit.
Can a facilitator help us develop a board action plan?
Yes, creating an action plan is often a key outcome of retreat facilitation. Facilitators help identify priorities, assign responsibilities, and define timelines. This creates accountability and momentum after the session. The plan can also be revisited in future meetings.
What makes a great board retreat facilitator?
An effective facilitator listens deeply, adapts in the moment, and guides conversation without dominating it. They remain neutral while helping the group move forward. Strong facilitation combines structure with flexibility. It’s about helping the board find clarity, not offering outside solutions.
