Rest, Clarity, & Connection: Turning Personal Crises into Professional Wisdom with Annie Severson

Connect. Learn. Expand. 🧠⚡

Welcome to The Second Saturday Brain Trust—a monthly morning gathering designed to spark deep conversation, foster community, and introduce you to fascinating ideas right here in Olympia.

Hosted by Bespoke Olympia at the beautiful Harbor House, these sessions bring together local experts, passionate visionaries, and curious minds. We dive into a different topic each month, led by incredible speakers who are living their truth and sharing their expertise. Whether you’re looking to expand your personal growth, learn a new perspective, or simply connect with an incredible community of local neighbors, there is a seat at the table for you.

🧠⚡Session 2: rest, clarity, and connection: turning personal crises into professional wisdom 

Featuring Annie Severson 

Meet Annie Severson, our presenter and guide for our September gathering. Annie has worked in the field of organization development, change management, strategic planning, and team building for 20+ years across both the private and public sectors.

In this presentation, Annie will share how her personal breast cancer journey became a powerful lens for navigating uncertainty, discovering hope, and translating hard-won insights into the practice of change management, organization development, and daily life.

Through her experience, she learned that true resilience is not about pushing through at all costs—it's about intentionally choosing rest, clarifying what truly matters, and allowing oneself to be held by a community of support. These choices did more than help heal; they deepened her faith in humanity and renewed her hope for our collective future.

In this interactive workshop, we will explore how these same principles—pausing amid chaos, prioritizing purpose over performance, and fostering genuine connection—can transform how we lead others and support ourselves through challenges. Annie offers both a deeply personal story and practical reflections on how to cultivate rest, clarity, and community.

The Vibe:
• A grounded, welcoming environment at the Olympia Harbor House.
• A 3-hour morning session with personal storytelling, practical framework exploration, and open group dialogue.
• Connection with fellow leaders and community members in Olympia.

The Details

• When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Doors open at 8:45 AM)
• Where: Harbor House, Olympia, WA
• Investment: $55 per ticket
• What to bring:
  • A notebook and an open mind.
  • Your favorite morning beverage (delicious local pastries and coffee will also be provided!).

What’s Included in Your Ticket:

We believe in creating a beautifully curated, high-value experience for every attendee. Your $55 investment completely covers:

• Expert Guidance: Fair compensation for Annie as she shares her incredible wisdom and time with us.
• The Experience: Your reserved seat at the waterfront Harbor House, along with delicious local pastries, fresh morning coffee, and custom workshop materials designed specifically for this session.
• Supporting Local: A portion of every ticket goes directly toward supporting Bespoke Olympia (a homegrown, woman-owned business!), allowing us to keep creating intentional spaces for local connection and growth.

Space is intentionally limited to maintain an intimate, conversational atmosphere. Secure your seat at the table today!