In a world awash with distorted images of perfection, it can be a challenge for girls to find their own voices and build their own paths to leadership and success.
Concordia College’s Empower Entrepreneurship Retreat is a five-day, four-night on-campus experience for high school girls entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year. Set for June 15-19, the program is designed to strengthen identity and leadership skills while equipping participants with practical tools in entrepreneurship and well-being.
“This is for the high school girl who is curious about leadership, passionate about making an impact through her life, and ready to meet like-minded girls,” said Dr. Heather McDougall, program director and assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Concordia.
McDougall, who graduated from Concordia in 2006, was co-founder and CEO of a sustainable products company for 10 years before joining the investment committee of 701 Fund, a venture capital fund out of Grand Forks, North Dakota. She earned her doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2009.
A frequent keynote speaker and executive consultant on leadership, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, McDougall will be one of multiple facilitators and speakers at the retreat.
“Entrepreneurship is a tool that helps us embrace our unique vision, leadership, and skills and creates a pathway to turn our passions into action. Plus, entrepreneurship requires us to manage resources like money and our voice,” she said. “These are values and skills that are important to anyone, anywhere.”
Financial advisor Tammy Laurent and film producer Kyra Rahn, both entrepreneurs themselves, will also serve as facilitators for the event.
The retreat itself is a scaled-up, in-depth exploration of entrepreneurship, following the success of last year’s entrepreneurship day camp. This year, the slate of activities includes overnight lodging in a campus dorm, meals, and snacks, with each of the five days focusing on a different entrepreneurial topic:
- Who am I and what do I care about?
- What change do I want to see in the world?
- Taking aligned action — What resources do I have?
- Taking aligned action — How do I trust myself?
- Personal Presentations and Showcase
Each day includes entrepreneurship workshops centered on those topics but also lifestyle activities such as yoga, cooking, movement, and nature experiences, as well as time for journaling and reflection, peer discussion, and networking. Participants will have fun while they learn, integrating personal growth with guided reflections and developing connections with other attendees to create a circle of support to last even after the retreat ends.
“The business lessons are important — after all, business touches every aspect of our world — but when business is built on personal truth and leadership, the results are beyond what any textbook could teach,” McDougall said. “This event brings all these goals together — who they are and how to take action on what they care about.”
The Empower Entrepreneurship Retreat for high school-aged girls costs $649 to attend, but those who register by April 30 receive an early bird discount that brings the total cost to $495. Scholarship opportunities are available after registration; contact McDougall at hmcdouga@cord.edu or 218.299.3487 for more information.
For more information about the retreat, or to register, visit ConcordiaCollege.edu/EntrepreneurshipRetreat.