Women in Association Leadership Retreat | Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholarships

Five scholarships available

We’re proud to offer five Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholarships to support women ready to invest in their leadership and take the next step toward executive and CEO-level roles.

Each scholarship provides full access to the Women in Association Leadership Retreat, a transformational 3.5-day experience set amidst Canterbury’s breathtaking high country at the stunning 5-star Fable Terrace Downs Resort in New Zealand.

Designed for senior and emerging executive leaders, this retreat offers the rare opportunity to step away from the constant pace of leadership and reconnect—with yourself, your purpose, and a trusted peer group of like-minded women. You’ll gain fresh perspective, renewed energy, and practical insight to sharpen your focus, elevate your influence, and sustain your performance long after you return home.

Set in nature and limited to just 20 association professionals, this immersive experience creates space for deep reflection, strategic thinking, and meaningful connection—so you return with clarity, confidence, and renewed capacity to lead.


Overview of the Scholarship Opportunity

The Women in Association Leadership Retreat (WIAL) is AuSAE’s flagship immersive leadership experience for women working in associations and not-for-profit organisations.

If you’re a senior leader considering your next step, the Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholarships are designed to support women who are ready to progress their leadership and prepare for executive roles.

These scholarships are intended for senior leaders with CEO aspirations, offering focused exposure to strategic leadership thinking, personal leadership, and the capabilities required to lead with confidence and clarity.

As a Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholar, you will participate fully in the Women in Association Leadership Retreat, a 3.5-day experience held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The retreat is designed to help you step out of day-to-day pressures and into deeper reflection, learning and connection with peers at a similar stage of leadership.

Across the retreat, you’ll engage in facilitated leadership sessions, reflective practice, and peer discussion, creating space to strengthen how you lead both within your organisation and across the broader association sector.

Through this scholarship, Causeis is investing in the advancement of women leaders within the association community, recognising the importance of strong executive leadership to the sustainability and impact of member-based organisations.

Apply Now




What the Scholarship Includes

As a Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholar, you will receive:

  • Full registration to the Women in Association Leadership Retreat
  • Access to all retreat sessions, facilitated workshops, peer discussions, and wellbeing experiences
  • Recognition as a Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholar within the WIAL cohort

Please note:
You will be required to self-fund your flights to Christchurch New Zealand. All retreat on-site experiences (including 3 nights accommodation), meals and programming are included.


Is This Scholarship Right for You?

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria. You will be well suited to this scholarship if you:

  • Are currently working in a C-suite or senior management role, or are clearly progressing toward executive leadership (including CEO)
  • Demonstrated intent to progress to the next stage of leadership
  • Value peer learning and are willing to contribute openly to a senior leadership cohort

Apply Now



Selection Process

Scholarship recipients will be selected jointly by AuSAE and Causeis, based on leadership readiness, alignment with the intent of the scholarship, and contribution to the cohort.

Ready to take the next step?

Submit your application by Sunday, 22 February 2026, and be considered for one of five Causeis Leadership Advancement Scholarships.





The Details 

DATE: 
Tuesday 5 until Friday 8 May 2026

INCLUDES: 
Retreat registration*, return Christchurch transfers, three nights' accommodation, transfers to official events, and hosted breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. 

Flights to New Zealand are to be arranged by each delegate.

WIAL Retreat 2026 Inclusions

  • Three (3) nights accommodation in beautiful, tranquil surroundings

  • A facilitated leadership and personal growth program

  • Nutritious, locally inspired daily meals

  • Return Christchurch transfers

  • Time to rest, recharge, and realign yourself with your vision and goals.

What You'll Gain

  • Strategic clarity to lead with sharper focus, purpose and impact
  • Stronger executive presence and communication to influence and inspire
  • Tools to prevent burnout and sustain high performance through busy seasons
  • Emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for complex environments
  • Brave boundary-setting to protect your time, energy and attention
  • Proven culture-building frameworks to lift wellbeing and results

Who Should Attend

  • Association CEOs and Executives
  • General Managers and Middle Managers
  • Heads of Department
  • Future Association Leaders
  • Anyone preparing to step into a management role and seeking expert advice and skill development

Open to women currently working in an association or not-for-profit organisation.

Earn CAE Credits


All education sessions at the Retreat are CAE-eligible. Attendees may earn up to 10 CAE credits for participating in the full program.

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Meet our Facilitator, Lauren Parsons

Award-winning Wellbeing Specialist | International Speaker | Coach | Consultant

Lauren Parsons is an award-winning Wellbeing Specialist with over 20 years’ experience. She is passionate about equipping and inspiring you to truly boost your health and happiness.

TEDx speaker, author of “real food less fuss”, founder of the Snack on Exercise movement and host of the Thrive TV Show, Lauren is a sought-after international speaker, coach and consultant who integrates her wellness and business background to help leaders find the sweet spot between boosting both wellbeing and productivity.

Described as inspiring and life-changing, Lauren is a dynamic and highly-engaging presenter, and master story-teller who will have you laughing, moving and learning in a memorable way (yes, even online!). You will leave her session feeling uplifted and empowered to create positive change.

Lauren lives in New Zealand with her husband and three children, and can often be found spending time outdoors, hosting dinner parties and playing board games. She travels regularly to speak at conferences or in-house and specialises in helping organisations create a culture where people thrive.


Program at a Glance (more to be included as we finalise details)

Day 1 - Tuesday 5 May 2026

Afternoon


Delegates start arriving into Christchurch at their leisure 

A scheduled group departure by Coach will be arranged to transport all delegates to Fable Terrace Downs (approx 4pm)


Evening

Welcome pre-dinner drinks and dinner

We will officially gather for the first time as a group for a casual meet and greet.



Day 2 - Wednesday 6 May 2026

Morning

Breakfast

Spend the morning with some reflective activities and introduction sessions:

  • All Leadership Beings with Self-Leadership 
  • Boosting Your Resilience 
  • Emotional Intelligence 
Lunch / Afternoon 

Lunch and Afternoon Activities 

An afternoon of discovery, connection and immersive experiences outdoors.


Evening 

Dinner


Day 3 - Thursday 18 May 2023

Morning 

Breakfast 

A day of facilitated learning with sessions on leadership commencing at 9:00am.

  • Mastering Confident Communication & Brave Boundaries
  • Leading So People Thrive 


Lunch / Afternoon 


Lunch 

Afternoon - free time and optional activities.

Evening

Dinner 


Day 4 - Friday8 May 2026

Morning 

Breakfast

  • Closing Activity & Farewells

Lunch/Afternoon

Transfers to Christchurch airport

Homeward Bound 






The Australasian Society of Association Executives

Contact us:

Email: info@ausae.org.au
Phone: 1300 764 576 (within Australia)
Phone: +61 7 3268 7955 (outside Australia)
Address: Unit 6, 26 Navigator Place, Hendra QLD 4011, Australia


                    
        


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