-IreneSalter.png)
Disruptive Change
Leadership Circle
Stay grounded, move forward, and thrive
in the midst of rapidly evolving times
Leadership doesn't have to look like this...
When political and governmental changes impact your world, it can feel like the world is burning. Funding disappears. Teams change overnight. Missions shift radically. Tariffs, legislation, or directives upend well-laid plans. You're burnt out. It’s disorienting, infuriating, and utterly exhausting.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. The Disruptive Change Leadership Circle is a confidential, nonpartisan space for mission-driven leaders who are directly affected by disruptive political forces. Here, you’ll learn how to stay grounded, move forward, and ultimately thrive — surrounded by a support circle of peers who get it, because they’re in it too.
"This group has provided so much support to believe in myself and the opportunity to offer support to others struggling with the same issues I have been struggling with. Many of the lessons will be forever lessons."
~ Sara Sundquist, Coordinator, Shasta County Public Health
Let’s make sure this leadership circle is for you
Are you someone who…
Is a mission-driven leader, typically in government, education, science, health care, or the nonprofit sector, though others will be considered.
Has been directly impacted by disruptive governmental or political change—whether to you personally, your team, or your organization.
Sees your over-achieverism and perfectionism as both a blessing and a curse.
Is passionate and driven—yet struggles to prioritize the important when the urgent is pressing.
Considers yourself a servant leader that too often plays the hero, solving others’ problems rather than empowering them, and giving away your time and energy rather than leaving enough for you and the ones you love.
Wholeheartedly embraces new experiences and welcomes being lovingly challenged to grow, especially with the support of other like-minded leaders.
This program is NOT for job seekers. If you’ve lost your role and are looking for your next opportunity, please reach out to me directly HERE. I offer a separate, low/no-cost career transition package including a full portfolio review.
If this sounds like you,
then you're in the right place!
A WAY OUT OF DRAMA
We often get sucked into the drama swirl instead of staying present. Learn tools to help you shift from victim to creator, from villian to challenger, and from hero to coach.
CLARITY IN CHAOS
Gain research-backed skills to manage tumultuous change with grace, navigate risk and uncertainty with emotional intelligence, live your values with integrity, and focus on what truly matters.
REMAIN GROUNDED
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Regulate your nervous system. Create healthy boundaries. Develop stress resilience. And carefully invest your energy to sustain your well-being and leadership.
EMPOWER YOUR TEAM
Stop carrying it all alone. Learn to read and empower others through curiosity, deep listening, and powerful questions so leadership becomes more shared, sustainable, and resilient.
LEADERSHIP PRESENCE
Access the initiative, creativity, and confidence to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Take decisive action. Embrace hard conversations. Navigate complexity using systems thinking. Command the room.
SUPPORT GROUP
Leadership doesn't have to feel lonely. Here, you will be valued, seen, supported, and embraced by a coach and peers who understand your reality, without judgement or partisanship.
What Members Gain
Amy Frydenlund - Director of Instruction
I was overwhelmed and stressed, having a hard time making decisions, even the simplest ones, like where to go for a walk. You create a space that is inviting and rich and I trust your skillful lead. Working with (you) Irene has given me myself... It's not that you or the class content has all of the answers, it's more that it opens the doors and window and gates to better find your own answers. This work with Irene, made it feel easier to find and be me - wonderful and powerful, flawed and unique, and complete.
~ Kara Tupy, K-8 Director
I was at a point in my career where I honestly didn't know if I was going to be able to keep on. I was more than burned out. I was disillusioned and felt trapped. When I met with Irene for the first time, I felt an instant connection with her generous, authentic way of being. She brings together three very powerful things. First, she has that special gift of being able to help you find answers to your own questions; recognizing the wisdom within each individual. She has a knack for curating resources that allow you to reach your goals, and go deeper, faster. And she's an incredible ally. All of this combined to open up an avenue for me to begin dreaming again.
~ Jen Shyu, Guggenheim Fellow and Doris Duke Artist
Because my work is my passion as well (as an artist), I found it difficult to manage my time and energy not only in my personal art making but also the organization I run that empowers other artists. After each meeting with you Irene, and the rest of the group, my co-founder and I always had so many ideas, ranging from the structure of our own meetings with our artists, how to engage on Zoom and online, to bigger, more philosophical ideas. Irene, you have been such a supportive and incredible inspiration and leader, and I am just so impressed with how productive and nourishing the program has been with you.
~ LaTonya Ward, Pricipal
Irene is a master of her craft. She is skilled and gifted at helping people realize and embrace their genius. Irene coached me through some tumultuous times as a leader. She helped me to see things in myself that I had forgotten were inside. Irene also helped me to frame my thinking on my why which is difficult sometimes to do when you’re in the thick of the challenges.
I highly recommend any leader take her courses or choose her to coach them. You won’t be disappointed.
The Nitty Gritty
The Big Picture: This is a safe, confidential space where leaders can talk openly and receive professional training and support to lead a team through the challenges of political disruption. No judgment. No partisanship. No whining. You've been given lemons. Together, we will make lemonade.
Structure: Each 3-month cohort will move you one step up the ladder of resilient leadership:
Surviving → Grounded → Moving Forward → Thriving
Join at whatever stage you are currently at. Stay for as many cohorts as you want. Leave when you are fully equipped with skills, support, and resources you need. Each 3-month cohort includes:
-
Group Sessions: Twice a month, 60-minute Zoom sessions (30 min skill-development & 30 min group support on the challenges you are currently facing).
-
Learning Partner Calls: Twice a month, 30-minute partner calls for joint skill-practice or support.
-
Group Chat: Use our group text thread to check in weekly and give/get support in the moment.
-
Individual Support: Email and text support from Irene.
-
Optional: Monthly office hours and individual coaching sessions.
Cost: I know that funding is unstable and limited right now. Therefore, I've dropped my prices far below my usual rate and, for the first time ever, I'm offering a Pay-What-You-Can option.
-
Pay-What-You-Can – Choose a monetary investment. You tell me the amount and justify it on the application. I will consider up to 6 leaders for this program option, and it is only available to individuals who are paying out of pocket and have a demonstrated need. You will be expected to pay it forward. Pay-What-You-Can includes group sessions, learning partner calls, group chat, and email and text support from Irene. It does not include office hours or private coaching sessions.
-
Standard: $2,000 for eac 3-month cohort (Payment plan: $750/month) – Includes everything listed above under Pay-What-You-Can plus monthly office hours.
-
Personalized: $3,000 for each 3-month cohort (Payment plan: $1,100/month) – Includes everything in Standard plus three private 45-minute coaching sessions with Irene.
If you commit to three consecutive cohorts (9-months total), receive some special extras!
-
10% discount (requires a $500 deposit that will be applied to your final payment, but will be forfeited if you withdraw early)
-
A celebratory, exclusive, in-person, half-day mini-retreat at Irene's home.
This is a small group program for up to sixteen exceptional leaders. Irene meticulously curates the group so that everyone shares common challenges and experiences. Office hours are available but optional for those in the Standard and Personalized plans. Depending on how many members come to office hours, members often receive individualized support there. Those enrolled the Personalized plan receive individual coaching for a rate well below what I charge my one-on-one clients.
We meet on Zoom for 60 minutes twice a month, for a total of three months per cohort. Since everyone is a busy leader, our meeting times will be determined based on the schedules of those selected to be in the group. Typically, meeting times will be early morning or late afternoon Pacific Time so the majority of the work day is free to support your organization and your team. In addition, there are 30 minute learning partner meetings that you can schedule whenever it is convenient.
We launch the first cohort in October, the second cohort in January, and the third cohort in April. More cohorts may be released after that depending on demand and need.
Think of it as your very own think tank of powerful leaders. The first 30 minutes will be a structured hands-on, minds-on workshop to learn new leadership skills that are closely tailored to the current needs of the group. The last 30 minutes and every office hour follows a support group format where leaders bring their current challenges and draw from the wisdom of an executive coach and seasoned leaders to gain insight and move forward.
Yes and no. I have curated a toolbox of the most essential, reseearch-backed skills for leaders navigating disruptive change. The complete suite of leadership skills requires 9 months (three 3-month cohorts) to complete in full. The skills you see, and the order in which they are delivered, will depend on the immediate needs of you and your cohort. It will feel like a custom, white-glove experience tailored to your current situation. Curriculum highlights include:
-
Grounding techniques to stay calm and centered under pressure.
-
Energy and time management strategies for high-change, high-stakes environments.
-
Emotional intelligence tools for managing big emotions, reading the room, and responding effectively.
-
Change management frameworks for leading teams through uncertainty.
-
Values and purpose alignment to guide critical, urgent decision-making.
-
Practices to sustain meaning, cultivate hope, savor the good times, and thrive in challenging times.
-
Absolutely! Everyone will have access to Irene via email and text in between meetings and to the group through our group chat. We request each member check in by text or video weekly. Those check ins are a fabulous opportunity to receive immediate help in the moment.
With the Standard and Personalized plans, there are office hours and private coaching sessions available.
We're all busy leaders, and things will come up that make it impossible to attend. I get it. All sessions will be recorded and made available to watch later. However, the expectation is that you attend at least 5 of the 6 meetings in your 3-month cohort. We will make every effort to schedule meetings for times that are convenient for you. In return, please hold our meeting times sacred to the best of your ability and be fully present and engaged while you are there.
In addition to the group calls, it is expected that you will connect with your learning partner between sessions for skills practice or mutual support and to check in weekly on our group chat thread.
Yes. Cohort members will be held to certain minimum standards in order to preserve the safety of this community. Violators will be given one warning and, upon a second violation of the same kind, will be asked to leave. Refunds will not be given for breaking these community standards.
1. Unless there is an emergency, you are expected to attend at least 5 of the 6 group sessions and meet with your learning partner in between group sessions.
2. All are welcome here, that includes all political parties, all races, all genders, all religions, etc. Thus, all members are expected to show respect and suspend judgment. Speak your truth from your experience, and welcome others to do the same. Be curious and listen to understand.
3. Confidentiality. What is shared here, stays here. Do not tell stories that are not yours to share.
4. Payments must be made on time.
If it looks like a good fit on paper, you will be invited to a 1:1 call where you can ask all your questions and where Irene will assess your needs so that she may align the curriculum to your unique leadership situation. Space is strictly limited. Each cohort is curated to ensure member safety, aligned needs, and diverse perspectives. Not all applicants will be accepted.
FAQs
