Recharge, Refocus & Recommit ~
Tools for Designing a Balanced, Fulfilling Life
Coming Fall 2025
You've had a good run, but now something's missing: that sense of purpose that once propelled you forward. The thrill is gone, and you find yourself drifting, looking for clarity about what's next.
Enough aimless wandering. It's time to take control and begin your most rewarding chapter yet. Our intimate Virginia retreat gathers smart, driven women like you to confront what's holding you back. Through frank dialogue and immersion in nature's restoring beauty, you'll rediscover your interests, recalibrate your personal equilibrium, and emerge with excitement about the possibilities ahead of you.
No trite self-help rhetoric, just candid conversation and actionable strategies from women who've traveled similar paths. Join us and get unstuck for good.
Are You:
Ready to channel all of the skills, wisdom and experiences you have accumulated toward a new direction and with renewed purpose?
Innately curious and craving something different?
Looking for support from like-minded women with a rich variety of backgrounds?
Proud of what you have accomplished and ready to shake things up a bit?
Primed to find new and fulfilling ways to be relevant, impactful, and satisfied in the next phase of your life?
You are not alone!
We invite you to join our intimate group of authentic, motivated and multi-generational women as we guide you toward your exciting future.
Meet Your Hosts
Hi! We are Lisa Waltuch (left) and Jennifer Sullivan (right), co-founders of Encore Retreats.
We are passionate about helping smart, savvy women approach the next stage of life with confidence and excitement, while creating their most fulfilling encores. Ultimately, we provide tools and insights that allow women to uncover their talents, desires and new ideas and then harness the courage and energy it takes to go after them.
Lisa is an Empowerment Coach with Thrive Coaching, specializing in helping people design the life they want using Design Thinking methodology. She worked as a creative director for The Discovery Channel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website and Walmart. She is also the busy mom of three. Lisa holds a BA from Stanford University and MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Jen spent 20+ years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and is now the owner of J. Sullivan Advisors, a boutique travel consultancy. She is passionate about purposeful, immersive travel ~ and she considers creating experiences that Encore Retreats’ guests will remember and cherish a privilege. She is also the proud mom of two. Jen holds a BA from the University of Richmond.
Join Us
It is a time to be together with other women and to reflect on who you are, what you want and where you want to go next.
“Thank you, Jen and Lisa! I was skeptical about a four day-retreat and hesitant about the cost. Now, I am sure it was the best thing I did with my time and my money! Insightful days of discovering who I am now with a group of other women on journeys of self-discovery. I am leaving with clarity and an action plan which excites me!”
-J.S.
“We hiked, we did yoga, we ate really good food, we met people with interesting stories of how they came to be shop owners or chefs or farmers. We shared stories that helped us look inside ourselves. We built friendships that will keep us accountable and provide guidance on this life-long journey. Sign me up for Part Two!”
-D.M.
The Journey
From the minute you arrive until you leave five days later, you will go on an adventure to help you define and take control of your future.
Immerse yourself in an incredible environment through morning movement and nature hikes. Free your mind, spark creativity, and allow yourself to go to new places.
Listen to the personal stories of the innkeepers, chefs, farmers and gallerists who have moved away from a conventional life to one with a deeper connection to the earth and self.
Embrace regional culture through the local food, and experiences
Practice radical collaboration with a group of like-minded, multi-generational, dynamic women.
Nourish your body with carefully curated, hyper-local cuisine.
With your mind and body prepared, dig deep into your own personal path using innovative approaches such as Stanford Life Design program and core values and alternate perspectives work..
“This retreat was one of the most important things I've ever done for myself. There's nothing quite like hitting pause, and reconnecting with who you truly are and what you really want. I am leaving with clarity and a path forward that really excites me. From now on, I am allocating my therapy money to more Encore Retreats.”
-D.M.
“I am so glad I came! I left the retreat rested, nourished, inspired, and in possession of new friends and new clarity for my future direction. Best of all, I left with specific steps to take toward architecting my future with intention and courage. Well worth it!”
-E.B.
Our Approach
We harness Design Thinking to guide you in self-discovery and purposeful life planning. This creative method helps you uncover your authentic self and envision your ideal future. Through introspective exercises and collaborative discussions, you'll gain clarity on your values, aspirations, and untapped potential. Our retreat equips you with tools to confidently and joyfully craft the next chapter of your life, aligned with who you truly are.
“I cannot say enough about the healing power of being open and vulnerable in the presence of extraordinary women who support and care for your growth.”
— S.V.
On this retreat, you’ll enjoy:
Collaboration
Five incredible days together in a quietly inspiring environment that’s sure to nurture your mind, body and soul
Workshops and group exercises to identify where you are now, where you want to go next and set intentional steps forward
Small Group Setting
This retreat is limited in size in order to foster trust, connections and meaningful conversations
Post-trip community support through a private Facebook group
Movement, Wellness and Relaxation
Morning movement
Local hikes
Downtime each day to nap, journal and let the ah-has sink in
Gourmet meals and tastings
Local on and off site meals
Special events and tastings
The retreat does not include:
Roundtrip airfare.
Ground transportation to and from the retreat site. We can connect participants who want to arrange carpools, if requested
Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance
Additional food or alcohol
What you will take home:
Clarity and action steps towards your next chapter
Connections and an ongoing community of like-minded women
A physical rest and mental reset
Resources to support you on your new path
A group of new friends, connections and collaborators connected through our private Facebook group
“I walked away from the retreat with a different perspective on a weight that I have been carrying for a few years. I have a renewed sense of energy to take on an exciting challenge…a purposeful adventure.”
— S.B.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
— Mary Oliver
Please join our community—we’d love to have you! Sign up here