By Natalie Fellows, Senior Manager, Impact

Maverick Collective annual retreats are always an experience. They move our community beyond boardrooms and slide decks, into immersive spaces that weave together learning, introspection, connection, art, beauty, culture, and food.

This year’s retreat in Guatemala followed that tradition. The agenda was crafted around the ‘three C’s’ of deep connection: Community—building lasting relationships; Culture—understanding the context impacting health and gender equity; and Curiosity—learning firsthand about the work and communities served by PSI and local partners in Guatemala.

Community: Finding Co-Conspirators

Community forms the heart of Maverick Collective. Whether this was their first or their tenth Maverick gathering, everyone could feel that they belonged; though each member brings a unique story, we’re united by shared values and a commitment to disrupting the status quo. As we kicked off the retreat, we enjoyed dinner in the candlelit chapel of our historic hotel, embracing old friends and welcoming new ones.

Throughout the retreat, the power of community was central, from the formal programming to the serendipitous in-betweens—laughter over late-night burritos, silent intentions during morning yoga, and one-on-one conversations as we walked the cobblestoned streets of Antigua. As we drove through breathtaking landscapes, we leaned into each other—literally, on the bumpy mountain roads—and leaned on each other emotionally, sharing intimate conversations and forging new connections.

Culture: Honoring Heritage, Embracing New Perspectives

Guatemala’s vibrant culture infused every part of our retreat. From exploring the historic archeological site of Mixco Viejo to hearing the powerful stories of Indigenous women survivors of violence at Asociación Grupo Integral de Mujeres Sanjuaneras (AGIMS), we were reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of cultural understanding in our work.

At Mixco Viejo, participating in a traditional Mayan fire ceremony to honor the land and our ancestors was a powerful moment for reflection. Through this experience, we learned about the Mayan relationship with nature, their ancestors, and gratitude practices. We also uncovered a connection—a thread that tied the ‘other’ to ‘us’—in our shared human need for gratitude and our common practice of reflecting on the paths our ancestors paved to bring us to where we are today.

Curiosity: The Driver of Change

As always, we asked our members to bring their ‘curiosity capital.’ It’s a quality that drives Mavericks to ask bold questions, challenge assumptions, and dive deep into the “why” behind our work. In a session led by PSI’s Latin America team, we learned how PSI’s flagship digital health initiative is centering women, embracing pleasure, and expanding voice, choice, and agency for sexual health and wellness.

With our friends from the Center for Cultural Power, we witnessed Indigenous weaving practices and wove our own personal stories into a collective narrative, discovering what ties us to each other and the causes we care about. We emerged with new knowledge and new perspectives on leveraging creativity to drive social change.

Beyond the Itinerary

The annual retreat is an opportunity to disconnect from our everyday lives; to pause, reflect, and re-energize so that we may continue fighting for a better and more just world. Retreats provide the opportunity to be challenged—physically, intellectually, and emotionally—and to get proximate to those on the frontlines of solving the world’s biggest challenges every day.

We left Guatemala with hearts and bellies full, feeling inspired, fearless, and closer to one another and the impact that we are making together. We were reminded of our “why” as Mavericks—to create, champion, and use our capital in all its forms to drive lasting change, together.