A Different Kind of Leadership Journey
Pula, Croatia /
September 19 - 26, 2026
We are living in times of fragmentation, polarization, and rapid transformation. Old models of leadership are no longer adequate.
The Global Leadership Lab is an invitation to step outside your familiar context — to gain perspective, reconnect with shared humanity, and imagine new possibilities for your community.
This inaugural Lab will convene 20 U.S.-based leaders in Pula, Croatia for an immersive, reflective, and relational global learning experience.
An 8-Day Immersive Leadership Experience
Why Pula, Croatia?
The Istrian region offers a powerful living classroom:
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Nine waves of migration in the past century
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A crossroads of Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslav, and Croatian history
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A region that resisted ethnic cleansing during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s
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A culture rooted in intercultural identity, anti-fascism, and unity across difference
Pula provides space to explore:
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How historical memory shapes present-day leadership
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What unity across difference truly requires
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How leaders can counteract “othering” in their own communities
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How imagination and spaciousness unlock new civic possibilities
September 19 - 26, 2026
Historical Context & Dialogue
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Virtual pre-briefing with local historians
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In-person dialogue with Croatian civic leaders
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Exploration of the region history and leadership movements
What You Will Experience
This 8-day immersive Lab includes:
Bridging Across Difference
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Structured conversations on belonging and leadership
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Cross-cultural storytelling exchanges
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Engagement with local innovators
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Frameworks for emergent leadership
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Guided Imagination Workshop
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Reflection sessions to translate insights into action
Imagination & Application
Spaciousness & Renewal
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Brijuni National Park immersion
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Adriatic coastal exploration
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Time for rest, walking, and deep conversation
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Curated local meals and cultural experiences
Orientation
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Pre-departure connecting dinner in Houston
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Buddy pairing for relationship-building
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Intentional opening and closing rituals
Meet Your Facilitators
• Nory Angel
Co-Founder, Global Leadership Labs
Civic leadership practitioner and convener dedicated to bridging divides and cultivating belonging.
Read Full Bio
• Oleg Jolic
Co-Founder, Global Leadership Labs
Global connector and cultural bridge-builder with deep ties to Croatia and the Istrian region.
Together, they bring a blend of civic leadership practice and local cultural grounding to create a meaningful, relational, and transformative experience.