Nancy’s Retreat promotes empowering women through a unique getaway that offers women a break from their hectic, multi-role lives and the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and refresh their spirits.

Seminars are held with distinguished guest speakers, providing valuable insight into issues of importance to women such as health, business and life. Participants have time to work on personal projects; connect with other women with similar life challenges and experiences; and feel physically refreshed by their surroundings and leisure time activities.

Retreat activities and speakers are chosen specifically to inspire, inform, challenge, nurture and mentor participants. Diverse activites are also offered at the resort and particpants can venture off the grounds for a dolphin swim, horseback ride or a zip line through the jungle.

This 2009 retreat took place at the luxurious Le Blanc Spa Resort, an all-inclusive, adults only resort on the sun-drenched beaches of Cancun, Mexico. The resort towers majestically over one of Mexico's most beautiful stretches of private beach, just 15 minutes from downtown Cancun and 25 minutes from the airport.

2009 Speakers

Sara Snow—a Discovery Channel host on “Living Fresh and Get Fresh with Sara Snow” and author of “Sara Snow’s Fresh Living; The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home.”

Sarah Hempstead, AIA, LEED AP—Environmental Architect, is a member of the strategic planning team of Schmidt Associates in Indianapolis and leads both the Higher Education and the Urban Environment Studios. “Good design not only assists owners in accomplishing their own unique missions, it also strengthens communities and facilitates positive interaction between people and their environments.”

Financial Panel Speakers Catherine Bonser-Neal—Economist, Associate Professor of Finance in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Indianapolis. Catherine has received her Master’s degree, Ph. D. degree and an Honors B.A. in Economics. She will be presenting “Economics Demystified: What you really need to know about the U.S. Economy and its Place in the World.”   Elaine Bedel, CFP - Financial Planner/Investment Management & Founder of wealth management firm Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. Elaine has more than 30 years experience with financial services for executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. She has been named to Bloomberg's "Top Wealth Managers" list since inception in 2002 and is a weekly contributor to Inside Indiana Business e-newsletter, The INside Edge. Elaine's first book, Advice You Never Asked For...But Wished You Had!, was released in April, 2009.   Denise Halford Holder—Wealth Management Advisor is a Vice President and a certified financial planner with David A Noyes & Co. She specializes in wealth management, financial and estate planning and portfolio management for families, institutions, endowments and foundations.     2009 Activities   St. Vincent Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Julie Schnieders – Women's Health Practitioner will be returning to Nancy ’s Retreat ’09 offering a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment computerized program from St. Vincent Hospital. This involves a series of questions about a person’s medical and family health history, which helps identify women at a greater risk for breast cancer.  The program also identifies ovarian and colorectal cancer risks.   Jessica Warrix – Hair Stylist with the renowned Bobby Cooper Salon, has been a stylist for 8 years.  She has trained with some of the best in the business, including Vidal Sassoon, Stephen Moodey, Scott Cole, Linda VanCane, Vivienne Makinder, Ruth Roche and, of course, Bobby Cooper.  Jessica finished cosmetology school while still in high school and now focuses her energy on combining all of the training into her own, special cutting-edge style.   Candace Briggs - Personal Trainer brings a personal touch to all her fitness training. Beautiful on the inside, as well as the outside, Candace helps all her clients achieve their potential and feel good about themselves as they literally “work their heineys off.” Candace leads our Morning Stretch for the Retreat and has become an integral part of the Nancy ’s Retreat Experience. This rejuvenating way to start the morning on the Retreat is Candace’s gift to all attendees. Certified in Personal Training, Pilates, both Mat and Reformer, Spinning and several other regimens. Candace can be reached at 317-513-8314.   Tonya Henderson – Massage Therapist will also be returning to the retreat this year.  Tonya adapts each massage to the client's needs based on a discussion with the client and what she feels during the massage.  She enjoys being a part of the rejuvenating and healing process.  Tonya received her training at The Indiana Therapeutic School of Massage after earning her BA and working for 8 years in a degree related field.  She is also a Reiki level 2 practitioner.