Good day.

Mission Statement:

“The Belizean Grove is a global constellation of influential women who are key decision makers in the profit, non-profit and social sectors; who build long term mutually beneficial relationships in order to both take charge of their own destinies and help others to do the same.”

Headquarters Office:

Susan Schiffer Stautberg
Founder and President
Belizean Grove/TARA
Adventures for the Mind and
The Adventures for the Mind Foundation
17 East 89th Street, Suite 7D
New York, New York 10128
212.987.6070 (phone)
212.996.5151 (fax)
partnercom@partner-com.com
THE BELIZEAN GROVE

In 2001, Susan Stautberg and 26 other original members created the Belizean Grove. Today, the Grove is comprised of 125 highly accomplished thought leaders from 5 continents, in for-profit, not-for -profit and social sectors. They come from many disciplines, including finance, marketing, technology, the arts, academia, science, religion, medicine and more.

The key purpose of the Grove is to bring members together to provide insights and better understanding of the complex issues the world is facing and to share expertise in looking for solutions and contributions we can make as individuals to our communities and our organizations. We structure our program so that those who are professionals and executives can bring back knowledge and skills that benefit their employees and institutions.

We are strongly focused on support for good works, mentoring and peer support. We spend much of our time together raising money for and learning about non-profits in the places we visit, and we try to leave them better for our short stay.

Grovers are dedicated to giving back to their communities, have a sense of humor and excitement about life and are willing to mentor and share connections. With this vision in mind, members are invited not only for their professional accomplishments but also for their generosity and compatibility.

Despite the great growth of the internet, there’s still a fundamental need for people to get together, share wisdom and spirit, and be part of something bigger than ourselves in a “Trusted Community” such as the Belizean Grove. Grover’s have a commitment to make a difference in our communities, in the world and for the world.

TARA

Leaders give back, help prepare the next generation, and try to avoid irrelevance. So, in the fall of 2004, Susan Stautberg with Edie Weiner’s help, founded TARA (Today’s Already Rising Achievers) for global leaders in their 30’s and early 40’s. TARA interacts closely with the Grove; the two organizations enable mentoring and the opportunity to meet and learn from each other in a reverse mentoring program.

EVENTS

We hold an annual four day retreat. We alternate between Belize and other countries in South and Central America. Our annual meeting provides time to collectively introduce ourselves and appreciate each other in ways we cannot when we are in our everyday 24/7 lives. Members gather to discuss global, national, and individual issues, exchange opinions, develop ideas, and put them into action. Interdisciplinary sessions are created to provide insight and better understanding of the complex issues the world is facing, and to share resources and expertise in looking for solutions and contributions we can each make as individuals.

The experience of coming together for meaningful discussion- whether on emerging national trends, global technology issues, or how each of us can lead for the greater good- is valuable, rewarding, an rare. We are committed to giving back and making a philanthropic donation to the country in which the retreat is held as well as providing college scholarships in Belize. Sessions take place during the morning; members generally network in smaller group discussions during the afternoon and there are social activities in the evening- often with speakers.

The Grove also has meetings during the year “on the mainland”, mostly in New York, but also in other key cities around the US. We try to schedule the events as far in advance as possible in order to allow time for members to attend. There is a range of programs, including insider/ behind the scenes events at members’ workplaces, book parties and discussions, and candid off-the-record sessions with leaders from around the world. Events are designed to provide “hands on” advice from people who have “been there and done that.” They also provide time for networking with each other and speakers.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

We look for diversity – racially, ethnically, professionally, politically, etc. Our members currently, and in the future, represent the most senior women in private, public, and government sectors:

  • Business CEOs, C-level executives
  • Non-profit presidents
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Private business owners (not always an entrepreneur)
  • Any of the above who have or are transitioning into somethingnew and different
  • Academics who have done significant work in an area of interestto all of us
  • Artists, writers, and other creative professionals

Criteria for membership:

  • Recommended by an existing Grover and introduced to at least two members of the Advisory Board. (All Grovers recommending a candidate must have known and liked them for a number of years or have taken the responsibility of vetting them.)
  • Interest in attending events and our annual retreat
  • Sense of adventure and exploration
  • Proven willingness to mentor others and to share connections
  • Kind, considerate, and honest
  • No sense of self-importance
  • Generosity of spirit
  • Sense of professionalism

As John Gardner has attested, “One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.”                              The Grove is committed to continuous learning.

All my best,


Susan S Stautberg

Founder and Chair

Belizean Grove