Leadership Studios: An Urban Burnout Retreat – Where Profit, People & Planet Align
On a crisp autumn afternoon, the heart of downtown Toronto pulsed with renewed energy and intention as leaders, innovators, and change agents gathered at Arcadia Earth Toronto for Leadership Studios: An Urban Burnout Retreat, presented by People Ops Collective — an Official Partner of Toronto Climate Week.
This sold-out event, held on Monday, October 6, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, brought together an impressive lineup of thought leaders, executives, and creative visionaries under one remarkable roof. The goal was simple yet profound: to explore how well-being, leadership, and sustainability can coexist and thrive in modern workplaces and communities.
The Atmosphere of Renewal
From the moment guests entered Arcadia Earth’s state-of-the-art space — an immersive environmental museum designed to ignite awareness through art and innovation — the tone was set for transformation. The luminous installations and multisensory exhibits mirrored the retreat’s essence: reconnection with self, with others, and with the planet.
The atmosphere in the room radiated integrity, warmth, and genuine curiosity. The energy was unmistakably collaborative — leaders from diverse industries came together not to compete but to co-create solutions that could address burnout, climate anxiety, and the evolving challenges of our collective future.
A People-First Philosophy
At the heart of the event stood People Ops Collective, a movement redefining the human side of business. More than a rebranding of HR, People Ops represents an operating system that aligns culture, leadership, and workforce realities. It emphasizes anticipating change, prioritizing wellbeing, and transforming resilience into measurable performance.
“Leadership Studios was born from a vision I’ve carried for more than two decades — to create a safe, inspiring space where professionals could reconnect with themselves and with one another beyond titles and metrics. This is the future of leadership — human, conscious, and collaborative.”
— Amy Altwerger, Founder & Executive Director, People Ops Collective
From the very beginning, the atmosphere was charged with intention. The event seamlessly merged professional growth with personal reflection, reminding everyone that leadership is as much about empathy and connection as it is about innovation and strategy.
The Numbers Behind the Urgency
The statistics driving the event were as sobering as they were motivating:
- $50 billion lost annually to mental health–related productivity in Canada (MHCC).
- Mental health leaves take two to three times longer to recover than physical ones (Deloitte).
- $23 trillion in projected global climate disruption costs by 2050 (World Bank).
These figures underscore the need for integrated approaches that bridge leadership and lifestyle — proving that thriving individuals create thriving organizations.
The Panel of Changemakers
The heart of the retreat was its dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Sarah Ennor, a lawyer, speaker, and founder of Growth Counsel. Sarah led a robust conversation among influential voices, including:
- Renee John, Executive Leader and Founder of Glass Ceiling Enterprises and Hayden’s Hideaway, who spoke about breaking barriers and designing sustainable cultures of care.
- Anuj Rastogi, multifaceted creator — father, husband, music producer, spoken word poet, and founder of @yenza3 — as well as host of The AwokenWord Podcast, who brought soulful reflection on balancing creativity and consciousness.
- Maggie Chang, Co-founder of Uptown Climate Conversations and Co-Chair of the City of Toronto Climate Advisory Group, whose accolades include being named among Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25, a WWF Canada Living Planet Leader, UWaterloo Alumni Gold Medalist, and member of the NRCAN Youth Council 2023. Maggie’s presence reinforced how youth leadership is reshaping climate dialogue.
- Frances Edmonds, Head of Sustainable Impact at HP Canada, shared insights into corporate sustainability, ESG goals, and the power of aligning profit with purpose.
Together, their voices formed a compelling narrative — that leadership rooted in empathy, authenticity, and environmental awareness is the key to future-ready organizations.
Urban Retreat Breakouts: The Power of Pause
Following the panel, attendees split into two immersive breakout sessions — designed to restore balance, foster mindfulness, and connect professional ambition with personal wellbeing.
Breakout 1: Roots & Rhythms
Curated by Duncan So, Transformation Experience Director at the Burnout Recovery Accelerator, this session integrated body, breath, and sound. Participants were guided by Surbhi Joshi, Founder and Facilitator at Poorna Wellness, whose holistic practices encourage emotional release and inner balance.
Elvira Hopper led sound exploration, while Mike Woodcock of Void and Vitality Breathwork facilitated breathing techniques that calmed the nervous system and invited introspection.
Reflecting on the experience, Surbhi Joshi shared:
“The breakout sessions were successful professionally and personally. There was a participant who was in tears as she felt immensely connected with the experience — the vibe in the room and the entire atmosphere felt safe.”
Her heartfelt words encapsulated the emotional depth of the retreat, where self-discovery and professional growth intertwined seamlessly, fostering both vulnerability and empowerment.
Breakout 2: Beyond the Balance Sheet – Margins of Renewal
This parallel session focused on executive resilience and the transformation of mindset. Laura Feltz, Master Results Coach and founder of Laura Feltz Consulting, led attendees through frameworks of results-driven self-leadership, complemented by Preeti Kapoor, Executive and Leadership Coach at HealinWithin, who emphasized emotional intelligence and self-awareness as the cornerstones of sustainable success.
A Marketplace of Mindful Innovation
The event’s Marketplace showcased an inspiring selection of organizations integrating digital health, caregiving, and wellbeing solutions into everyday work and life. It served as a bridge between leadership and lived experience — a place to connect, collaborate, and curate practical pathways toward whole-system support.
Networking, Movement, and Meaning
After engaging in deep dialogue and reflection, attendees enjoyed networking amidst the captivating exhibits at Arcadia Earth. At the same time, DJ Tiffany Stern of Bounce Entertainment curated uplifting music that encouraged movement and joy — reminding everyone that wellbeing also means celebration.
A Collaborative Ecosystem
The success of Leadership Studios was made possible through partnerships with Toronto Climate Week, ThriveworX, and Yelp Business, and through collaborations with Ivan Muller, Poōrna Wellness, MacRose Design, HealinWithin, Burnout Recovery Accelerator, Laura Feltz Coaching, Bright Balance Psychotherapy, HR Crew Toronto, GLA Rehab, Policy Forward, Arcadia Earth, Glass Ceiling Enterprises, Hayden Hideaway, Home Transition Specialists, and PSW to the Rescue.
Each collaborator contributed to a seamless event experience that reflected shared purpose — a proper alignment of profit, people, and planet.
Looking Ahead
As the retreat concluded, one truth became clear: Leadership isn’t just about managing teams — it’s about nurturing ecosystems.
The conversations ignited at Leadership Studios will ripple outward, influencing how we work, care for, and lead in an era defined by both burnout and breakthrough.
Stay tuned for my upcoming reflections on the panel insights and breakout sessions, where I’ll delve deeper into the personal stories and transformative takeaways that made this retreat a milestone in mindful leadership.
