Mission and Vision

Redwood Fellows’ mission is to build a statewide community to support accomplished leaders in achieving their aspirations, accelerating their individual and collective impact.

Fellows represent multiple sectors, communities, and parties. Fellows show up for each other, and every time they do, the statewide community becomes stronger.  The stronger the community, the greater the opportunity and capacity to transform Connecticut.

The vision starts with 42 Fellows in 2025, but that’s only the beginning.  By 2030, Redwood Fellows will grow to more than 200 Fellows actively advancing a statewide community and leading institutions. Imagine the immense possibilities.

Fellowship Experience

Fellows engage in a fellowship experience organized around four in-person retreats, as well as additional opportunities for collaboration in between retreats. The retreats follow a programming arc that is designed to build community among leaders and support Fellows in achieving their goals.  This investment in leaders is essential to help each individual thrive and ascend, and to collectively expand opportunity and well-being throughout Connecticut. The program arc emphasizes specific themes:

  • Building trust: the foundation

  • Being vulnerable: opportunities for growth

  • Embracing purpose: aspiration and legacy

  • Expanding opportunity and prosperity: active community  

Retreats bring these themes to life while delving into practical strategies for success.  Fellows organize additional activities as necessary to further cultivate relationships and advance the goals of Redwood Fellows.

The fellowship experience leads to membership in a statewide community. The fellowship experience launched in early 2025 and the broader statewide community experience will launch in 2026.   

Accomplished leaders who participate in Redwood Fellows benefit in the following ways:

  • Access:  Fellows increase their access to influential leaders, networks, and resources.

  • Professional Learning:  Fellows strengthen their skills in inclusive, transformative leadership.

  • Community:  Fellows become part of a supportive statewide community and develop meaningful relationships with leaders who share a commitment to expanding opportunity and well-being throughout Connecticut.

  • Self-Care:  Fellows experience a beautiful retreat setting where they are safe and encouraged to reflect, restore, and prioritize themselves.

  • Health:  Fellows increase their happiness and well-being as a result of fostering close relationships and connections with other leaders.

  • Professional Advancement:  Fellows receive active support from a statewide community of accomplished leaders who help them ascend and lead institutions.

  • Efficacy and Impact:  Fellows become more successful in their individual leadership positions, accelerating the impact of the institutions they lead.

Two men sitting on a green couch near a window, having a conversation indoors.
Two people, a woman and a young man, sit on chairs by a large window, having a conversation indoors. The woman is wearing glasses, a striped shirt, and jeans, while the young man is dressed in a white sweater and khaki pants.
Two women having a serious conversation at a table, one wearing a green blazer and the other in black, with documents and a coffee cup in front of them.
Two people having a serious conversation by a window in a bright room, sitting on chairs facing each other.
Three adults sitting in a meeting, appearing attentive, with a man in glasses and a gray sweatshirt with a flower design in the foreground.
Four people having a serious discussion around a table in a room with large windows showing green trees outside.