Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being Event for Human Resources Leaders: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience
Escape to Italy for a life-changing, empowering & immersive journey to help HR Leaders reduce stress and grow their happiness and well-being.
October 30 - November 3, 2025
25 People.
5 Days.
1 Life-Changing Transformation.
Most Lawyers are so busy looking after everyone else at work and home — they forget to take care of themselves.
And that’s why we created the HR Happiness Retreat in Italy.
This is an experience for your body, mind, and spirit, joined by others who truly get what you do and how it feels.
Immerse yourself in Italian culture, connection & reset your well-being.
A unique 5-day Self-Compassion, Happiness and Well-Being Retreat for HR Leaders.
Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Human Resources Leaders: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience, provides the opportunity to build genuine friendships and partnerships with other leaders in human resources, as well as learn how to overcome challenges – both personal and professional.
It’s an all-inclusive Experience in an Italian paradise for 5 days!
✔ Connections to other human resources leaders
✔ Transformative trainings
✔ Opportunity to start or deepen a meditation practice
✔ Small town authentic Italian life for 5 days
✔ 3 healthy, farm-to-table, delicious meals a day
✔ 5-course dinners every night
✔ Relaxation for the body and mind
✔ Ancient Greek myths
✔ Daily heart-opening and self-compassion
✔ Italian poetry & introduction to Italian literature/culture
✔ Boat ride on the Mediterranean sea
✔ Soaking in thermal baths
Southern Italy is paradise in the fall.
Ischia, directly adjacent to the island of Capri, is an idyllic vantage point on southern Italy where we have the quiet we need to concentrate and build community.
Ischia is amazing, as it combines a deep history – Homer included it as part of Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey, W. H. Auden composed poetry about it, and it's the first place where the Ancient Greeks landed when they moved to Italy – lovely small towns, beautiful vegetation and nature, the sparkling Mediterranean sea, friendly people, and natural thermal hot springs that relax the body and mind.
It's a tranquil, relaxed setting to be meeting other human resources leaders while connecting to nature and eating homemade pastas, gelatos, vegetable dishes, and the cornetti ischitani that are baked only on the island.
You’ll be in one of the few places where you can still get the authentic Italian experience.
What Previous Attendees Experienced
Pricing
$3850 Early Bird Special - Book Now
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Dates: October 30 - November 3, 2025
Location: Private villa in Ischia, Italy
Significant others/friends: Can attend at a reduced fee.
Guests: Limited to 25 HR Leaders
Format: 5-day immersive retreat
Flights: Fly into the airport in Naples, Italy. There is a direct flight New York - Naples, for example. You can also fly into Rome and take a 1-hour train ride to Naples. You will be picked up at the airport or a train station.
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All activities of 5-day retreat
Life-changing workshops, trainings, and meditations
Farm-to-table meals and traditional multi-course dinners
4 nights with a private room and a private bathroom in a beautiful hotel villa
Delicious local wines
Excursions around the island
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport
Boat from Naples to Ischia two ways
Transportation all over the island during your stay
Everything is planned for you and everything is included
All activities are optional and you get to make your schedule each day
5 nights accommodation in a beautiful Italian villa hotel
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, wine)
Daily leadership of self and well-being practices + guided sessions
Roundtrip ground transport to and from the local airport
Activities + excursions
Full access to all content + group experiences
Only out-of-pocket: your flight to Italy.
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Here are the professionals who are invited to this event:
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), HR Director, Head of Wellness, Head of Well-Being, Head of People, Head of Talent, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Vice President of Human Resources, Head of Learning & Development (L&D), Head of Compensation & Benefits, Head of Employee Relations
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Register Here
Call or email the event curator for further information.
Elizabeth Pyjov
+1 (650) 922-4262elizabeth@happinesssangha.com
All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. However, if you're unable to attend, we’re happy to offer a credit equal to the amount paid. This credit can be applied toward a future event. -
Have any further questions? Please reach out to the event curator
Elizabeth Pyjov
+1 (650) 922-4262
Spots are limited, capped at 25 people only.
Escape to Italy for a life changing event, where you don’t just learn about joy and happiness, you live it. After the early bird spots are gone, the pricing will go up to $4500.
Or - reach Elizabeth via text or call at +1 (650) 922-4262
Hosted By
Dates don’t work for you?
Visit Happiness Sangha for alternative dates.
Welcome to an empowering, immersive journey to help human resource leaders reduce stress and grow their happiness and well-being.
Welcome to Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Human Resources Leaders: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience in Italy.
When you join us for this event, you will experience all the sensory delights of a beautiful Mediterranean island, while engaging in life-changing training sessions for long-term results and lasting success.
You’ll be immersed in self-compassion and awareness practices with ample time for cultural experiences, enjoyment, and networking to develop relationships with other high-achieving human resources leaders from all over the world.
Meet a wonderful group of people, and develop useful skills that’ll last a life time.
You’ll come back refreshed and mentally ready for success.
Day 1
Arrival, Welcome Session, Dinner
Arrive on the island of Ischia on a one-hour boat ride from Naples
Aperol spritz or mineral water to refresh you
Welcome lunch
Soak in the jacuzzi on the rooftop, enjoying the view of Mount Epomeo
Mindfulness and Arriving Fully meditation practice
Introduction to daily gratitude practice
Italian poetry series (poetry is important to happiness!)
Introduction to Leadership of Self
Learn some key Italian words
5-course dinner with wine
Night soak in the thermal hot springs for relaxation – the spa is open for you to use 24/7
Day 2
Mindfulness & Joy
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast on the terrace in front of the villa with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning mindfulness practice
Science of the Mind training
Stroll through the lovely town of Lacco Ameno
Visit to Villa Arbusto Archeological Museum
Lunch at the best pizzeria on the island
Option to Hike Mount Epomeo
Return to the villa, free time
Ancient Greek myths introduction
5-course dinner with wine
Evening self-compassion meditation practice
Day 3
Self-Compassion, Freedom from the Inner Critic
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast on the terrace with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning meditation practice
Visit the beautiful Giardini La Mortella gardens
Lunch in a restaurant on the beach
Optional boat ride on the Mediterranean
Free time back at the villa to siesta or sunbathe on the rooftop, soak in the thermal waters, or sip a limoncello on the terrace
Freedom from the Inner Critic
Discussion of how human resources leaders can be self-compassionate and achieve excellence
Evening self-compassion practice
5-course dinner with wine
Option to explore a local town at night
Day 4
Connecting with Compassion
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning meditation practice
Centering practice with joy meditation
Practical tools to increase happiness and well-being year-round, even upon returning home.
Visit to Aragonese Castle
How to Reduce Burnout Training
How Compassion Reduces Stress Workshop
Free time back at the villa
Optional time to go shopping in the town Lacco Ameno
5-course dinner with wine and special desserts
Night of live music at the villa to celebrate our last evening together
Day 5
Longterm Benefits and Well-Being into the Future
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Visit to the local winery
How to Integrate These Benefits into Your Life Long-Term
Closing session: Achievements and Future Endeavors
Soaking in thermal hot springs at the villa one more time
Arrivederci!
Boat to Naples (or, if you like, it’s an easy boat ride to Capri, Positano, or Amalfi)
Transfer to airport or train station in Naples
EXPERIENCE CURATED BY:
ELIZABETH PYJOV, JD MTS
B.A. Harvard College, Romance Languages and Literatures
Certification Stanford Medical School, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Pedagogy of Compassion
J.D. Harvard Law School
MTS Harvard Divinity School, Theology Degree
New York City Bar Well-Being Committee Member
Quinlan School of Business Loyola University Chicago Faculty on Leadership of Self
WHY ELIZABETH PYJOV
Elizabeth is an attorney, thought leader, speaker, program creator, and company founder who combines what she learned about ritual and meaning at Harvard Divinity School, her literature degree from Harvard College, neuroscience studies at Stanford Medical School, the rigor of Harvard Law School, experience living in 7 countries, fluency in 5 languages, and her time studying with the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Jon Kabat-Zinn to think outside the box and address modern challenges in the workplace.
She understands motivated, intelligent professionals. She was an Associate at Sidley Austin, has conducted legal investigations for the New York Attorney General’s Office, and worked in human rights at the United Nations. She has also worked in marketing for Italy's top television stations RAI in Rome, and as a literary translator for Italian Nobel prize-winning author Dario Fo. Her focus now is helping professionals thrive and helping organizations create a more compassionate culture.
Elizabeth’s clients include the Library of Congress, the New York Appellate Court, The Carlyle Group, Novartis, and Deutsche Bank as well as startups, top law firms, and universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and NYU Medical School.
Elizabeth helps individuals feel fulfilled, inspired, and connected to their work, and helps organizations improve productivity, retention, and company culture.
Her sessions have had over 20,000 attendees in the last decade.
This work is the biggest privilege of her life.
Have Questions? Speak With Elizabeth
Click the button below to schedule a call with Elizabeth — or, text/call her at +1 (650) 922-4262
My goal is to create a truly magical experience for the attendees that impacts their life positively long-term and changes their habits for the better.
— Elizabeth Pyjov
Speaker and Panel Moderator, Carol A. Kiburz
Proven HR executive with extensive experience in building and leading sophisticated, high-performance teams. Passionate about building an amazing employee experience to attract, retain, and engage talent, which creates a cycle of success. Developed and executed HR strategies that enable and extend corporate strategy – driving performance, engagement, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Seeks to serve and make a positive difference in the world. Privileged to now lead the Corporate HR team at Ben E. Keith.
Carol achieved her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and her MBA from the University of Dallas. She currently resides in Dallas along with her two human children and two canine children.
Movement Specialist Mia Kathryn Wenger
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Mia Kathryn Wenger will be leading daily movement sessions for the group.
She is a New York City-based professional dancer, group fitness instructor, and Pilates instructor who enables others to reach their highest potential through movement.
Mia graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Magna Cum Laude. She started her Pilates career as a Group Fitness Instructor for Equinox in New York City. She taught mat Pilates and strength classes while still a full-time college student and was one of the youngest instructors at Equinox.
Mia holds a NCSF Personal Training Certification and a 450-hour Classical Comprehensive Pilates Certification from Equinox Pilates Teacher Institute. She has continued her Pilates education through hands-on and virtual workshops, specializing in Scoliosis, Body Inclusivity, and Pre/Post Natal work. Outside of dance and Pilates, she enjoys movement hobbies like boxing, running, bouldering, pole dancing, and more. Mia is an avid amateur astrologer, and loves to travel, try new modalities of movement, and learning about the world.
Incredible Value for Priceless Results
5-day retreat - $1,380
Building a close community of human resources professionals who are not immediate colleagues - $1,000
Italian poetry immersion series - $450
Ancient Greek myths psychologically explained for happiness - $450
Restorative yoga on the roof, walking meditation, and mindful movement daily - $450
Therapeutic compassion exercises - $450
Gaining a deep understanding of self-compassion - $450
Excursions around the island organized by Elizabeth Pyjov - $1,000
Short and enjoyable daily Italian lessons with Elizabeth Pyjov - $100
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport - $100
Boat from Naples to Ischia two ways - $100
Transportation all over the island during your stay - $150
Room - $850
Breakfast, lunch, and five-course dinner with wine each day - $1,200
Book of Italian poetry from 50 different poets, handpicked by Elizabeth Pyjov - $70
Not thinking about anything and not planning - $500
Pleasant surprises and extras - $250
Lifelong friendships with other human resources leaders - Priceless
Returning home with greater well-being - Priceless
Joy, energy, and inspiration for months to come - Priceless
Over $8,950 in value
HEALING & CHANGING PATTERNS
The Human Resources profession is highly stressful.
Human Resources leaders are held to a high standard of perfectionism, which leads to chronic stress.
What HR professionals often lack is self-compassion and positive leadership of self habits for themselves.
During the retreat, we will rewire those patterns together.
In a new environment, it is easier to release our patterns.
When trying new foods, experiencing beauty with the senses, and connecting to the warmth and friendliness of others – we gather energy and heal.
RELAX & REVIVE
RELAX & REVIVE
L’amore si misura in piatti cucinati -Love is measured in cooked dishes
(Italian Proverb)
All the food for the duration of your stay is included. We will eat fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, and salads as well as meat, fish, and other seafood, with vegan and vegetarian options available.
Special dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, allergies, and sensitivities are happily accommodated.
A lot of the food we will be eating is grown in the garden at the villa.
This is not just five pleasant days.
It’s a launching pad to a new quality of life.
— Elizabeth Pyjov
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