Our Thursday evening conversation — starting at 5:30 pm —will feature Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington and one of the most compelling public voices on faith and moral courage today. Known nationally for speaking directly to power—including a widely watched sermon at the Washington National Cathedral in which she urged President Donald Trump to show mercy toward immigrants, LGBTQ people, and others who felt vulnerable—Budde has continued to model courageous leadership in the public square. In recent months she has also stood alongside clergy and community leaders in Minneapolis protests responding to immigration actions and other national developments, calling people of faith to faithful witness in turbulent times. 

Budde is also the author of the bestselling book How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, in which she reflects on the pivotal moments when leaders must decide whether to act with courage, compassion, and conviction. The book argues that bravery is not a single heroic act but a practice cultivated over time, often through difficult decisions and unexpected opportunities. In conversation with our program director, Anne Stewart, Bishop Budde will reflect on the experiences that have shaped her leadership, the “decisive moments” that test our values, and what it means to lead faithfully—and bravely—in this moment. 

Budde will be available for book signing during the post-event reception.

Friday shifts the focus from inspiration to practice as we turn our attention to our own leadership.

The day begins with a worship service led by our Pastors in Residence alongside Class VII participants. Immediately after, we’ll enjoy brunch from Jammin’ Crepes before launching into the learning.

Through workshop sessions and immersive learning experiences, alumnae will have the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the experiences that have shaped their leadership, explore the skills and habits needed for this moment, and learn from the wisdom of one another. Rooted in the shared formation of this community, the day is designed to create space for honest conversation, practical insight, and renewed clarity about the call to lead in your own context.

WORKSHOP BLOCK A 

• Practicing the Future: How can leaders help their communities prepare for a future that feels uncertain and rapidly changing? This workshop introduces participants to the work of futurist and game designer Jane McGonigal and her approach to using future scenarios to spark creativity, collaboration, and resilience. While we can’t future-proof the church, we can practice the future. Participants will experience a guided future-scenario simulation and learn practical ways to adapt this exercise for use with lay leaders, ministry teams, and congregations back home—helping communities imagine possibilities, respond creatively to change, and lead with greater confidence in the face of uncertainty. Led by Anne Stewart and Thais Carter.
  
• Resetting Your Team – Tools for Culture, Clarity, and Communication: A highly interactive workshop led by Suzanne Rosenthal of TalentWise Advisors, where participants diagnose the health of their teams and learn practical tools for resetting culture, strengthening communication, and re‑establishing shared expectations. Leaders leave with a 30‑day plan to improve team cohesion and clarity. 

WORKSHOP BLOCK B 

• Decision-Making in Ambiguity: Leaders are often called to make important decisions before the path ahead is clear. This workshop explores practical tools for navigating uncertainty and moving ideas forward with confidence. Drawing on the work of Tuala Walsh on decision bias and the creative thinking methods developed by Edward de Bono, participants will learn how to recognize common cognitive traps, generate new possibilities, and structure conversations that lead to better decisions. The session will also explore the critical difference between alignment and agreement—helping leaders guide teams toward shared direction even when consensus isn’t possible. Led by Anne Stewart.
  
• Leading Conversations on Tough Issues: Communities everywhere are grappling with complex and often divisive questions. This workshop equips leaders with practical approaches for guiding thoughtful, constructive conversations on difficult topics—within their own congregations or organizations and in the broader communities they serve. Participants will explore strategies for creating spaces where people can speak honestly, listen deeply, and remain in relationship even amid disagreement. Together we’ll consider the unique role the church can play as a trusted convener, helping communities engage hard questions with courage, curiosity, and care. Led by Thais Carter.

IMMERSIVE LEARNING

Leadership formation doesn’t happen only in conference rooms. Our immersive learning options invite participants to step outside the workshop setting and experience the wider world as a classroom. These guided excursions create space to learn through place, conversation, and shared discovery—encountering new ideas, local contexts, and one another in a different way. By getting out into the community and the landscape around us, we open ourselves to fresh perspective, deeper relationships, and the kind of learning that often happens best when we step beyond our usual environments.

• Seeing with Fresh Eyes: Join us for a guided visit to the newly reopened Princeton University Art Museum, where we’ll explore how careful observation can deepen leadership insight. Using an exercise inspired by Amy Herman’s work on Visual Intelligence, participants will practice slowing down, noticing details, and interpreting what they see—skills that translate directly to leadership, decision-making, and navigating complex situations. After the facilitated activity, you’ll have time to wander the galleries and experience the museum’s remarkable collections at your own pace.
  
• The Theology of Compost: Step outside the classroom and onto the land with a guided visit to The Farminary, Princeton Theological Seminary’s 21-acre farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture and theological reflection. This immersive tour will explore the “theology of compost”—how practices of decay, renewal, and cultivation can illuminate vocational discernment, adaptive leadership, and change management. Participants will consider what the rhythms of the soil can teach us about transformation in our ministries and organizations. After the tour, you’re welcome to linger outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty and quiet space of the farm.

The Alumnae Gathering comes at the end of Finance Week for ISI. You have the option to sign up for the full week, participating in workshops and plenary sessions Tuesday and Wednesday. Workshops include:

• Buildings and Deferred Maintenance
• The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Social Enterprise
• Capital Campaigns
• The Impact of Personal Money Narratives on Stewardship
• Effective Narrative Budgets

The plenary sessions, led by finance expert Lisa Kaplowitz and fundraising professional Suzanne Hilser Wiles, be segmented by budget size to ensure the most relevant learning experience. 

Content refresh week includes breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday.