Ignite Retreat Reignites at New Venue, Inspires Changemakers, Introduces Sullivan Community App!
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation’s flagship Ignite Retreat returned this month at a new location, the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center in western North Carolina. The move to Lake Junaluska comes after an unexpected pause last fall—the Foundation’s long-time retreat site in Black Mountain was sidelined by storm damage from Hurricane Helene, forcing a cancellation of the Fall 2024 retreat. “After canceling our retreats in North Carolina due to the recent flooding, we felt a deep pull to support the WNC community,” explained Steve McDavid, the Foundation’s president. “Being able to gather our students here again, in such a beautiful setting, is incredibly meaningful,” he added. Lake Junaluska’s lakeside campus provided a scenic and spacious backdrop as the Ignite Retreat resumed its mission of training young changemakers.
Caroline Burlingame, the Sullivan Foundation’s Director of Operations, spearheaded the venue change. Burlingame noted that while the location is new, the retreat’s core purpose remains the same. “The goal is inspiration,” she emphasized, underscoring the event’s commitment to nurturing students across various stages of their social entrepreneurial journey. Foundation staff worked swiftly to ensure the transition to Lake Junaluska—a venue that could accommodate the retreat’s growth. They cited the conference center’s modern facilities and proximity to community partners as key reasons for the move. “This setting really aligns with our needs and values,” Burlingame said, pointing out that the region has a long-standing connection to Sullivan Foundation programs. After a challenging year, organizers expressed excitement that the Ignite Retreat could once again bring students together “to IGNITE CHANGE in ourselves and others,” as the promotional materials put it.
Retreat Highlights: Workshops, Fellows Training & Record Turnout
The Spring 2025 Ignite Retreat drew several hundred student leaders and faculty mentors from across the American Southeast for three days of intensive workshops, networking, and mission-driven collaboration. Attendees represented numerous Sullivan partner schools and diverse academic disciplines, all sharing a common goal of learning how to spark positive change in their communities. The retreat’s curriculum followed the Foundation’s signature three-track format, with sessions tailored to personal discovery, problem-solving, and project development, so that each participant could engage with content most relevant to their stage of changemaking. Through hands-on activities and small-group exercises, students honed skills in creative problem solving, social entrepreneurship, and community leadership. “Participants discover how to develop novel solutions to pressing problems, gain clarity on their unique leadership style, and grow their network,” noted one of the Ignite facilitators. By the end of the weekend, students left “equipped with practical tools and a clearer vision of their path forward,” Burlingame said.
A special element of this Ignite Retreat was the involvement of the Sullivan Fellows, collegiate leaders enrolled in the Foundation’s new three-year fellowship program. The Spring retreat doubled as an in-person training and meet-up for the current Sullivan Fellows cohort, who arrived eager to connect with one another and the broader Sullivan network. “Our Spring Ignite Retreat will also welcome our Sullivan Fellows,” the Foundation announced beforehand. During the retreat, the Fellows participated in dedicated leadership training sessions led by Sullivan staff and alumni, complementing the general workshops. Dr. Jody Holland, the Foundation’s Faculty Engagement Specialist who helped design the Fellows Program, said this integrated approach furthers the Sullivan mission of cultivating service-minded leaders. “The Sullivan Foundation has long celebrated selfless leaders,” Holland noted. “This program expands on that by outfitting students with leadership tools applicable anywhere.” The presence of the Fellows added to the retreat’s energy. Fellows and first-time attendees alike bonded over team projects and fireside chats, building an “instant network of support and collaboration” that will endure beyond the weekend.
Josh Nadzam, the Foundation’s Director of Student Engagement (and a Sullivan Award alumnus himself), oversaw the retreat activities and student experience. He highlighted the impact of bringing in inspiring speakers and coaches to ignite participants’ passion. Nadzam noted that beyond formal sessions, some of the most powerful moments were the candid conversations and collaborations that sprang up organically. “It’s amazing watching students from different schools and backgrounds brainstorm together—by Sunday, you could see their confidence and ideas truly catching fire.” According to Nadzam, many students left with concrete action plans and newfound “changemaker” friends from other campuses. The retreat’s supportive environment is “a catalyst for transformative experiences” that deeply affect everyone involved, Senior Advisor Christopher Gergen emphasized. Gergen, who has guided the Foundation’s programming for years, described the Ignite Retreat as a unique space where “every voice matters, and every action counts” in developing one’s leadership potential. He added that the weekend is as much about personal growth as it is about project ideas: “The retreat encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, challenge their preconceptions, and engage deeply with their values,” helping them become more resilient and empathetic leaders.
Launch of Sullivan Foundation’s Online Community App
This Ignite Retreat also saw the debut of the Sullivan Foundation’s new Online Community App, a digital platform designed to keep the momentum going long after the weekend. Rolled out for the first time to retreat participants, the Sullivan Foundation Network App allows students, faculty, and alumni to connect, collaborate, and continue learning within a dedicated online community. Attendees were invited to join the app to share insights from the retreat, network with peers and mentors, and access follow-up resources. The mobile-friendly platform, developed in partnership with Mighty Networks, features discussion forums, event groups, and direct messaging to help the Sullivan community “stay connected with like-minded changemakers” year-round. “Our app empowers members of the Sullivan Foundation community to engage in transformative social impact projects, share resources, and build lasting relationships,” explained McDavid. Foundation staff provided an overview of the app during the retreat kickoff, making Spring 2025 Ignite participants the inaugural users. The app’s launch aligns with the Sullivan Foundation’s broader strategy to leverage technology for greater impact. Early feedback from users has been enthusiastic—retreat-goers are already planning cross-campus projects and meetups via the app’s group channels.
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