[Note: This story is republished with staff testimonials]
Earlier this year, from February 17-20, ICED held a staff retreat that brought the team together in Nairobi, Kenya for four days of reflection on its current state, alignment on the organizational values, and preparation for the next phase of the organization. The retreat was intentionally structured to balance leadership development with broader team engagement, creating space for both strategic thinking and collective learning.
Each day was structured to encourage both reflection and interaction. Mornings began with inspirational reflections led by staff, setting the tone for open and thoughtful engagement. These were followed by team-building activities and group work sessions, often organized by department. These sessions created space for teams to align their work with ICED’s strategy and values, while also identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration across the organization.
The retreat was further enriched by contributions from guest speakers who brought both experience and perspective to the discussions.
The first day was dedicated to a management retreat, which focused on leadership development and strategy alignment. This session created an opportunity for ICED’s leadership team to step back from day-to-day operations and reflect on their roles. Discussions centered on strengthening leadership capacity while deepening alignment with ICED’s strategic direction. From the opening warm-up exercise to the afternoon’s collaborative sessions, there was a clear emphasis on intentional vision- and mission-driven leadership and how it shapes the organization’s impact.
To inspire the leadership, guest speaker Dr. Julius Muia, ICED Board Chair and former Principal Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Finance, delivered a key session on the importance of being a visionary leader in a mission-driven, Africa-led organization.
The remaining 3 days shifted focus to the staff retreat, where the broader team engaged in alignment on ICED’s strategy, which included general reviews of organizational policies, reflection on individual and departmental performance, and collaborative planning of work activities and goals. For newer team members, this was an opportunity to become familiar with ICED’s strategy and guiding principles, while longer-serving staff revisited and deepened their understanding of how their work contributes to the organization’s overall direction.
Along with continued inspiration from various department leaders, the broader staff were privileged to hear Dr. Julius Muia's contributions in the form of reflections focused on navigating and thriving in challenging and uncertain environments.
The team also had the opportunity to engage with Mohamed Beavogui, ICED Board Member and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, who joined virtually from Rome. His session on resilience as a leadership practice offered practical insights for institutions operating in complex and evolving systems. His contribution was widely appreciated by staff, who described him as “humble but polished” and “a brilliant speaker”.
Overall, the retreat created a space for the ICED team to reconnect with the organization’s mission, with each other, and with the broader purpose of their work. The feedback from staff reflected a shared sense of clarity, renewed motivation, and appreciation for the opportunity to pause, reflect, and align.
