OVERVIEW SDP Fellows will have the unique opportunity to engage in authentic teambuilding through our partners at Adventure Associates. These activities will have low physical input and build trust between fellows. All activities will be indoors and preserve personal space.
This program brings to life theories & models about team dynamics & role identification, featuring guided debriefs after each challenge. Fellows may engage in a series of mental & physical activities ranging from elaborate problem-solving to light-hearted contests.
No activities will ask you to catch, hold, touch, etc. your peers. Physical activities and movement include walking, standing, and crouching. Activities do not require jumping or running, or any strenuous exercise.
Please wear your SDP T-Shirt for this session. Time is provided in the agenda for a quick break and change.
PRE-WORK None
MATERIALS Please see the attached informational document from our colleagues at Adventure Associates!
Following our time to build connections between cohort members, please enjoy an extended lunch and break. Lunch will be provided immediately after our teambuilding block.
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT TBA
OVERVIEW The surprising value add of our work is not the rigor of the analysis itself but often our ability to translate complicated ideas into understandable data narratives. We spend a considerable amount of effort in that translation process alone. It’s important for us all to consider how our own stories and perspectives shape the ways we communicate about the world. To do that, we must practice introspection and empathy.
This interactive session will ask you to reflect on your own story, hear some fundamental elements of storytelling and take away some important considerations such as the audience and intended impact of your storytelling. Bring your journals and pencils/pens and prepare to write!
MATERIALS A journal will be provided to you for this session.
BEFORE THE SESSION Identify your favorite poem and be prepared to share its name and author.
Take a well-deserved pause and enjoy 30 minutes of sweet treats, fresh fruit, and a coffee boost to recharge your energy and keep the day moving smoothly.
All meals and breaks will be located in the Gutman Conference Center Lobby (Floor 1). An information desk will be located in the Gutman Lobby throughout the event.
OVERVIEW During this session, we’ll draw on the best practices for leading with data, even when facing some of the roadblocks that you are likely to experience during your time as an SDP fellow. You'll learn from your cohort peers, expand your thinking on how to manage common challenges, and come away with new perspectives and fresh strategies to try to solve tensions that may arise with the people and groups you interact with in your workplace. Through interactive discussions, you will examine how effective leadership and strong data skills can be used to support lasting organizational change. The session will also provide practical tools and frameworks you can use to foster collaboration, build trust, and drive continuous improvement with data at the center of your leadership practice. PRE-WORK Please submit this one-question form and let us know what was the best work advice you have ever received. Please submit the form by October 27th.
MATERIALS
Handout - Problem Solving Scenarios (see attached)
We value your input and feedback! Please access the Day 3 Survey here. This survey should take approximately 5 - 7 minutes and asks for your input on our core sessions.
