May 31–June 2, 2026
Ojai, California
THE APPROACH
With a central leadership theme, condensed, timeefficient program, and intimate scale, the Design Leadership Workshop delivers valuable resources devoted to strengthening your business. Lessons from business experts and peer-to-peer discussion are paired with unique, site-specific experiences informed by local context.
THE TOPIC
GROW YOUR BUSINESS ON PURPOSE: FINDING THE ‘WHY’ THAT DRIVES YOU—AND YOUR CLIENTS
Many businesses focus on what they do, but fewer focus on why they do it.
In this engaging, hands-on workshop, customer experience expert Jon Picoult will dissect the powerful concept of a purpose-driven brand – an organization whose “ reason for being” goes well beyond traditional measures of success, such as creating shareholder value or growing revenues.
While a purpose-driven approach may have a philanthropic dimension to it, Jon’s approach is about defining your business in a way that inspires others to work with you. Even better, studies show that purpose-driven businesses outperform on financial metrics, too. It’s a strategy that has been exceptionally effective for companies spanning a variety of industries Patagonia, USAA, and LEGO, among them and it’s an approach that can be applied to any business, large or small.
THE TOPIC
By the end of the workshop, you will:
Appreciate the critical difference between purpose and mission.
Understand why purpose is so vital to clients and employees alike.
See how a purpose-driven strategy can accelerate business growth.
Learn essential techniques for defining and delivering on a purpose-driven brand.
Emerge with a draft purpose statement for your own firm and a tactical plan for fulfilling it.
Join us at this year ’ s Design Leadership Workshop and learn how to grow your business “ on purpose, ” by building a brand, and engineering a client experience, that is nothing short of magnetic.
THE SETTING
OJAI, CALIFORNIA
This year ’ s Workshop location brings the community back to California’s legendary Ojai Valley Inn, a destination designed for disconnection from the day-to-day the perfect setting to build w together as design professionals.
The Design Leadership Workshop is open to all DLN members and partners, including architects, interior designers, landscape specialists, and other professionals. This event is designed to be an intimate experience, so space is limited, and you won’t want to miss it. Register today!
DATES
COST $4,000
MAY 31 – JUNE 2, 2026 FOR MORE INFORMATION
meghan@designleadershipnetwork.org
SYLLABUS
SESSION 1: Purpose 101 – What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
SESSION 2: The 5 Ds for Creating a Purpose-Driven Business
SESSION 3: Defining and Describing Your Purpose
SESSION 4: Mapping Out a Purpose-Driven Transformation
SESSION 5: From North Star to Next Steps
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
SUNDAY, MAY 31
2 PM: Welcome and Small Group Discussions
7 PM: Reception and Dinner
MONDAY, JUNE 1
8 AM: Breakfast
9 AM: Welcome and Introductions
9:15 - 12:30 PM: Interactive Sessions
12 - 1 PM: Lunch
1 - 3:45 PM: Interactive Sessions
4 - 7 PM: Free time
7 PM: Reception and dinner
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
8:30 AM: Breakfast and Small Group Discussions
10 AM: Behind-the-Scenes Tours
12:30 - 2 PM: Lunch
2 PM: Departures
KEY PEOPLE
Jon Picoult
Jon Picoult helps companies impress their customers and inspire their employees, creating raving fans that drive business success. He is the founder of Watermark Consulting and a noted authority on customer experience and customer-centric leadership.
Jon has advised some of the world’s foremost brands, helping companies build powerful loyalty in both the marketplace and the workplace. His insights have appeared in dozens of media outlets, including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and Fortune. He is also the author of the Wall Street Journal featured book “FROM IMPRESSED TO OBSESSED: 12 Principles for Turning Customers and Employees into Lifelong Fans.”
Jon earned his bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from Princeton University and his M.B.A. from Duke University.
EXPERIENCES
BEEKEEPING
Experience a day in the life of an apiarist with Ojai Valley Inn’s beekeeping and honey tasting excursion. The excursion will conclude with a honey paired with an artisan cheese board and the Inn’s signature lavender lemonade.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Saddle up for a guided ride through the River Valley Trail, which is well-suited for beginner to intermediate riders. This ride begins at Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company’s horse stables and meanders through the open trails of the Ventura River.
TURTLE CONSERVANCY
The Turtle Conservancy is where conservation meets design in a quietly composed landscape. The site features lowprofile enclosures, greenhouses, and shaded pathways that blend into the terrain to mirror local habitats.
OJAI VALLEY INN
The fourth annual Design Leadership Workshop will be hosted at the Ojai Valley Inn, in Ojai, California
The DLN welcomes you to Ojai, a much-loved vacation setting not only for Californians but for travelers from around the world.
The Ojai Valley was first settled by the ancient Chumash more than 10,000 years ago. They believed that the valley holds mystical powers, including a magnification of energy. This energy that first drew the Chumash to the valley has been celebrated by generations over the years.
Today, downtown Ojai is filled with art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, breweries, and wine, kombucha, olive oil, and honey tasting rooms. The area is home to artisans of every calling, farmers, hippies, celebrities, spiritualists, and, of course, the famous Ojai Valley Inn.
OJAI VALLEY INN
Located just 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, the resort overlooks the unspoiled natural beauty of its mountain surroundings and celebrates the relaxed glamor of California’s past to create an unparalleled resort experience that is quintessentially Ojai.
Design Leadership Workshop attendees are invited to book rooms at the following rate: Run of House Guest Room - $435 per room, per night In addition to the rates set forth above, there will be a nightly service charge (subject to 15% Transient Occupancy Tax) of $30 per room, per night.
To book at this rate, please reserve with Ojai Valley Inn no later than April 16, 2026, using the Design Leadership Workshop booking link. Please note that alternate dates beyond the blocked dates will not work with this link. To upgrade room types or extend your stay beyond May 31–June 2, please call 1.888.697.9116 directly.
Add special requests such as bed/room types or comments in the "Additional Details and Preferences" section. To extend the stay or pay for an upgrade, please enter requests in the comment section. Ojai Valley Inn will confirm requests based on availability.
At the time of booking, attendees will be required to place a 1-night deposit.
Additionally, guests can call 1.888.697.9116, and press 5 to speak to a group reservation agent, to make a room reservation.
FAQ
The registration fee of $4000 includes the following:
● Expert facilitation provided by Jon Picoult
● All meals beginning with a Welcome Reception and Dinner on Monday, May 31 through lunch on June 2.
● Behind-the-Scenes experiences on the morning of June 2.
The registration fee does not include hotel reservations or ground transfers to and from the Ojai Valley Inn.
Hotel Deadline: Rooms must be booked by April 16 via the dedicated DLN room block link.[LINK]
Event Cancellation Policy: Between February 17 and March 17, a partial refund may be granted (less a 7% credit card processing fee) or participants may take a full credit toward another DLN Core Event in the 2026 calendar year, including The Design Summit: Los Angeles, the week of November 2, 2026. After March 17, refunds or credits cannot be offered toward canceled registrations for the 2026 Design Leadership Workshop.
Dress Code: The dress code for all events is Business Casual. Comfortable footwear should be worn during the behind-the-scenes tours. Weather permitting, we plan to be outside for parts of the day and evening.
Questions? Email Meghan Buonocore (meghan@designleadershipnetwork.org).
To confirm your participation at the Design Leadership Workshop, please email: Space is limited secure your spot today!
Meghan
Buonocore Director of Events
meghan@designleadershipnetwork.org