Resilient Leadership With Dr. Annise Mabry

A CEO’s Turning Point That Sparked a Movement

The conference room was quiet. A CEO sat alone after a long day of back to back meetings. Their team had celebrated a recent success, yet something felt wrong. The energy that once fueled their leadership had faded. Instead of excitement, there was exhaustion. Instead of clarity, there was overwhelm. It was the moment they finally admitted what they had avoided for months. They were burned out and they needed help.

This quiet moment of truth is familiar to many leaders. It is often a private reckoning that happens long before anyone else notices. It is also the moment that leads many executives to Dr. Annise Mabry and her groundbreaking Rise + Release program, a science based, trauma informed experience built to restore resilience at the highest levels of leadership.

Why Burnout Among CEOs Is a Hidden Crisis

Burnout among executives is often invisible. Leaders push through stress because their teams rely on them. Yet the cost of constant pressure can be devastating. It affects decision making, relationships, and overall organizational health. Many CEOs describe burnout as a silent unraveling. It shows up through sleepless nights, emotional fatigue, and a growing disconnect from their purpose.

Dr. Annise Mabry, bestselling author and founder of The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, recognized that traditional wellness retreats were not addressing the deeper causes of this crisis. She saw that leaders needed more than rest. They needed a safe space to heal, reset, and learn to lead themselves with intention.

This insight led to the creation of Rise + Release.

How Rise + Release Came to Life

Dr. Mabry’s expertise in trauma informed care and community leadership shaped the foundation of the Rise + Release experience. She had spent years developing programs that transformed communities and improved education for at-risk youth. Through this work, she witnessed the power of restoring agency, clarity, and emotional grounding. These principles became central to her executive wellness method.

Rise + Release is not a quick fix. It is a full spectrum experience that includes coaching, somatic practices, and practical frameworks for life and leadership restoration. Participants engage in guided breathwork, restorative yoga, and deep reflection exercises that help them release stored stress. They also evaluate their personal and professional structures so they can rebuild healthier patterns moving forward.

As Dr. Mabry notes, “CEOs do not talk about burnout, but they live it every day. Rise + Release is where leaders finally get to exhale.”

What Makes Rise + Release Different

Many executive retreats offer relaxation. Rise + Release offers transformation. Its trauma informed foundation allows participants to explore what is driving their burnout and how it shows up in their leadership. Instead of focusing only on short term relief, the program helps leaders develop lasting resilience.

Participants leave with a personalized action plan built around clarity, balance, and sustainable leadership practices. By reconnecting with their purpose and learning how to support their own well being, they become stronger and more effective leaders.

The program’s impact has earned national recognition. The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation has been recognized as the Best CEO Burnout Recovery Solution in the United States of 2025. The award has been announced and is now live on BestofBestReview.com which is regarded as a respected and exclusive authority in the industry.

A Recognized Pathway to Sustainable Leadership

Leaders who complete Rise + Release often report a renewed sense of purpose. They describe experiencing deeper clarity, stronger decision making, and an improved ability to manage stress. These benefits extend beyond the individuals who attend. When leaders regain balance, the entire organization feels the improvement.

Healthy leadership creates healthier workplaces. Teams become more engaged. Communication improves. Strategic decisions become clearer and more effective. The long term benefit is a more resilient organization with leadership that models sustainable success.

Why Organizations Benefit When CEOs Choose Wellness

The well being of executives influences every part of an organization. When leaders operate from a place of calm and clarity, they inspire confidence and reduce workplace tension. This strengthens culture and boosts performance. In a business environment that demands constant adaptation, resilience is one of the most valuable leadership assets.

Rise + Release supports this by addressing both personal and professional alignment. Leaders learn how to set boundaries, manage energy, and reconnect with their mission. These skills help them sustain excellence without sacrificing their well being.

The 2026 Restoration Retreat Challenge

As part of her broader commitment to restoring leadership well-being, Dr. Mabry is also spearheading a fundraising campaign for the 2026 Restoration Retreat, set to take place on Edisto Island in March 2026. This initiative aims to prepare the space for women ready to release the burdens they have been carrying, offering them a chance to reconnect with themselves in an intentional, healing environment.

The goal is to raise $5,000 by March 1, 2026, to provide transportation assistance and partial scholarships for participants in need. The full campaign target is $60,000, which will cover essential operational costs such as securing retreat space, preparing curriculum and ceremonies, and ensuring the safety and care of participants.

Dr. Mabry invites those who have been touched by the work of Rise + Release to contribute to this effort, helping to restore the ground where healing begins. More details about the campaign can be found here: Restoration Retreat Campaign.

Your Next Step Toward Resilient Leadership

The future of leadership requires clarity, presence, and resilience. With burnout at an all time high among executives, investing in personal well being is not optional. It is essential.

If you are ready to restore balance, elevate your leadership, and step into a new chapter with strength and clarity, Rise + Release offers the tools and guidance to support your transformation. Explore how this program can help you thrive as a leader and create long lasting impact within your organization.

Learn more about Rise + Release and Dr. Annise Mabry’s work at the link below.