Warsaw, Poland
May 29th to Jun 1st, 2025
The LOLA Europe Retreat was held in Warsaw, Poland from May 29th to June 1st and gathered 18 LOLA Chapter leaders and members from 9 countries.
This was LOLA’s third European Retreat after last year’s in Lisbon, Portugal. The countries represented this year were Portugal, Poland, USA, Israel, England, Ukraine, Georgia, Spain, and Italy.
During the course of four days, participants underwent high-level training courses, interactive discussions, and cooperative networking exercises. LOLA leaders learned from renowned speakers, shared knowledge from their respective countries, and delved into the history and culture of Warsaw.
Thursday, May 29th, 2025
Opening Night: LOLA’s Story & Our Journeys to Liberty
Izabela Patriota, Director of Development, LOLA
Liza Przybylska, Regional Leader – LOLA Europe
The LOLA Europe Retreat officially began on Thursday evening with a warm welcome and a beautiful dinner at the Old Town in Warsaw. Hosted by Izabela Patriota and Liza Przybylska, the session introduced participants to the story of LOLA — its origins, mission, and how it has grown into a global network empowering women to lead in the liberty movement.
Following the presentation, each participant took the stage to briefly share her personal journey toward discovering the values of liberty and how she became involved with LOLA. With leaders from over 9 countries present, this moment of storytelling and connection set the tone for the retreat: one of shared purpose, diverse perspectives, and deep inspiration.
Friday, May 30th, 2025
Networking with Purpose
Izabela Patriota, LOLA’s Director of Development
The session offered practical strategies for building meaningful connections, developing visibility as a leader, and using networking as a tool to grow your chapter and impact. It was a motivating and insightful start to the day.
Next, we held our Swag Exchange, a beloved LOLA tradition. Each participant brought an item that represents her country or LOLA chapter and shared its story with the group. From handmade crafts to cultural snacks, the exchange sparked connection, laughter, and deepened our sense of community across borders.
The Power of Stories: Heroines Who Fight for Liberty
Angel Walker-Werth, Objective Standard Institute (OSI)
Walker-Werth explored how storytelling, through the lens of fictional female characters, can inspire courage, shape powerful narratives, and expand the reach of the liberty movement.
Storytelling for Impact: Leading with Your Voice and Experience
Tania Rak, journalist and freedom activist.
In the afternoon, Rak shared practical techniques for harnessing personal narratives as powerful tools for leadership and advocacy, showing how our individual stories can drive meaningful change and amplify the message of liberty.
Afterward, participants engaged in a fun and dynamic Networking Bingo Activity, where they had the chance to ask each other questions, find shared experiences, and build deeper connections in an informal way. It was a lively moment of bonding, and the winner of the activity was Angel Walker-Werth!
Manipulation: Through Philosophy and Politics into Your Life
Agnieszka Płonka, Liberty International & Freedom and Entrepreneurship Foundation.
Płonka led a thought-provoking session on how manipulation operates not only in political systems but also in our personal relationships and environments.
Elevator Pitch Competition:
Be the First LOLA to Become President of Your Country!
The day concluded with the Evelvator Pitch
After the break, we came back together for the Elevator Pitch Contest, led by Mariana Gomes, LOLA’s Europe Regional Leader. In this friendly and inspiring competition, each participant had one minute to present themselves as if they were running to be the first LOLA President of their country. They shared their vision for advancing liberty and their leadership goals.
For this special activity, we welcomed special guests from the LOLA Poland Chapter, who joined us as judges and helped select the most impactful pitches of the evening. Their presence added excitement and local insight to the competition.
The winner of the contest was Lana Lagvilava, Chapter Leader from Georgia, whose powerful pitch and clear vision impressed everyone in the room.
To end the day, we enjoyed a dinner at the Liberty Lounge, an iconic location in Warsaw where lovers of freedom gather to enjoy music, conversation, and great company. Following dinner, the venue hosted our Mixer Night, an open event with guests from partner organizations and the broader liberty network, creating the perfect opportunity for LOLAs to expand their connections and celebrate the retreat in style.
Saturday, May 31st, 2025
Professional Headshots & Leadership Strategy
Satuday began with a special opportunity for all participants: professional headshots. LOLA provided each leader with high-quality photos that they can use to strengthen their professional profiles: whether for LinkedIn, public speaking events, or media appearances. This initiative reflects LOLA’s ongoing commitment to equipping our leaders with tools that enhance their visibility and credibility.
Voice. Action. Protection. The Art of Strategic Leadership
Lana Lagvilava, LOLA Georgia & Ayn Rand Center Georgia
The first workshop of the day led by Lagvilava, shared insights from her professional journey, inspiring participants to recognize the power of their voice and the importance of taking bold, principled action as leaders.
After a refreshing lunch, we returned with an energizing Speed Networking activity. During this round-based session, participants exchanged practical tips and advice, shared leadership lessons, and built stronger personal connections, strengthening LOLA’s collaborative spirit across countries and cultures.
To close the afternoon, the LOLA Europe Regional Team, Mariana Gomes and Liza Przybylska, took the stage to share updates and plans for the region. Their session highlighted LOLA’s growth across Europe, regional achievements, and ways participants can continue to grow their chapters and engage more actively with LOLA’s mission.
How LOLA works and how you can lead it
Izabela Patriota, LOLA’s Director of Development.
In this essential session, participants learned more about the purpose and structure of LOLA, how chapters operate, and the role each leader plays in expanding the network. Izabela also introduced LOLA’s booths, initiatives, and resources, encouraging each participant to take ownership of their leadership and help shape the future of the movement.
From Leader to Leader: Sharing Experiences
Mariana Gomes, Europe Regional Director
The day continued with an open space moderated by Gomes, where participants reflected on their journeys, exchanged challenges and successes, and built a stronger sense of solidarity and inspiration as women leading for liberty.
In the final session, “Letter to Donors”, Izabela Patriota led an activity inviting participants to write a personal note to the donors who make LOLA’s work possible, a moment of reflection and gratitude for the impact the retreat had on each of them.
At the end, the retreat concluded with a closing ceremony and certificate presentation. The moment was filled with gratitude, reflection, and celebration. Special recognition was given to LOLA Israel as the Chapter of the Year for organizing 17 impactful events over the past year.
The ceremony also included a special award for the winners of the Social Media Challenge at the LOLA Europe Retreat: Zuzanna Górzyńska and Wiktoria Łapeta, LOLA Poland leaders, recognized for being the LOLAs who shared the most content about the retreat.
Finally, each participant was recognized with a Certificate of Completion, honoring their commitment, participation, and leadership throughout the retreat.
To wrap up an unforgettable event like the LOLA Europe Retreat, we gathered for a special farewell dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant, complete with live Polish music. It was a beautiful moment to celebrate the success of the retreat, honor the friendships formed, and reflect on the impact each leader is carrying back to her country.
Sunday, May 1st, 2025
Exploring the Heart of Warsaw
The final day of the LOLA Retreat Europe had the opportunity to take part in an optional cultural walking tour led by the local leaders of the LOLA Poland chapter. The tour provided a powerful and engaging way to close the retreat, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of Warsaw’s history, culture, and resilience.
The tour began at the POLIN Museum (exterior), where we learned about the Jewish heritage of the Muranów neighborhood and the tragic events of the Warsaw Ghetto. We then visited the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes and preserved fragments of the Ghetto Wall, honoring the courage and memory of those who resisted tyranny.
The group continued through key historical areas of the city, including the Bank Square, Saxon Garden, and Krakowskie Przedmieście, passing by landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and University of Warsaw. The tour concluded at the beautiful Old Town Market Square, where participants took in the atmosphere and celebrated the journey shared throughout the retreat.
It was a day of reflection, connection, and inspiration, a perfect ending to a powerful weekend.
Thank you to our sponsors and donors!
The 2025 LOLA Europe Retreat was a powerful reflection of LOLA’s growth across the continent. It brought together 18 phenomenal leaders from 9 countries, each doing remarkable work to advance liberty in their communities. Over four days, they exchanged ideas, deepened connections, and strengthened their capacity to lead.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the LOLA Poland Chapter for warmly welcoming us to Warsaw, and to our generous sponsors: Atlas Network, Liberty International, Objective Standard Institute, and Nancey Tsai, whose support made this experience possible. Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the next generation of women leaders.
In line with our mission to strengthen LOLA leaders, we were excited to award access to online liberty-focused courses offered by Liberty International to several participants: the top three finalists of the Elevator Pitch Contest, the winner of the networking challenge, and the Chapter Leader of the Year, whose work continues to inspire our global community.
Together, we are building a stronger, freer future.✨
