THE51 X LAURA HARRIS RETREAT
Invest in Creativity
JULY 16–19, 2026 | OAK BAY BEACH HOTEL | VICTORIA, BC
The Art of Investing
Differently
Step outside traditional frameworks of investing and immerse yourself in a world where creativity meets capital.
Over three transformative days, The51 Art & Investment Retreat brings together women investors, creators, and thought leaders to explore how art, intuition, and innovation can shape sharper investment perspectives and expand your way of seeing value itself.
Guided by acclaimed Canadian artist Laura Harris, this intimate experience invites you to embrace risk, release perfectionism, and reconnect with your creative intuition, the same qualities that define visionary investors.
Between moments of artistic creation, engage in exclusive sessions on alternative investments with Leah Bennett, Chief Investment Strategist at Concurrent Asset Management and President at Elevate Family Partners.
Surrounded by a curated circle of women investors and art-world leaders, you’ll forge connections that last far beyond the retreat, enriching both your portfolio and your perspective.
The Retreat Experience.
The Retreat Experience.
Artistic Exploration
Paint alongside Laura Harris in an immersive studio environment. Explore techniques that inspire boldness, creativity, and innovation, skills that mirror successful investors and innovators.
Meaningful Connection
From an intimate luncheon and group discussions to a curated cocktail reception and private investor dinner, each gathering is crafted to foster meaningful conversations among women investors and creators.
Curated Journey
A thoughtfully coordinated hospitality experience. Enjoy preferred rates at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, shuttle transportation, and concierge-level coordination.
Investment Insights
Join Leah Bennett and guest experts for sessions on alternative investments and wealth creation, blending financial insight with creative strategy.
Curated Encounters
01
The Collector’s Edit
A limited-edition welcome gift featuring art-inspired keepsakes, investment insights, and premium goods from women-led brands.
02
The Investor Table
An intimate dinner experience that bridges art and capital, designed to inspire conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection among women investors and creators.
03
The Evening Collective
A curated cocktail reception that invites authentic connection, creativity, and conversation in a relaxed and elegant setting.
Meet Your Event Hosts
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Alice Reimer is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder whose career bridges imagination and impact. As CEO of Fillip, she leads a fintech company accelerating the digitization of fleet payments and real-time business spending across Canada. Before Fillip, Alice co-founded and steered Evoco from concept to acquisition and led Chaordix, a pioneer in crowdsourcing innovation.
She is also a Co-Founder of The51, where she champions women-led startups and reshapes how capital flows in the everyday economy. Rooted in Alberta’s tech ecosystem for over two decades, Alice previously served as Site Lead for Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies, mentoring founders, connecting capital, and nurturing the next generation of visionary companies.
At the Art & Innovation Retreat, Alice brings her same blend of creativity, precision, and community spirit, not only as an investor and storyteller, but also as our retreat chef, curating nourishing meals that inspire connection, conversation, and creativity.
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Laura is a contemporary Canadian painter whose work navigates the tension between abstraction and figuration, exploring emotional resonance through colour, form, and gesture. Her paintings evoke intuitive responses, bridging the visible and the felt.
A recognized artist and educator, Laura leads immersive painting retreats, guiding participants through creative discovery, risk-taking, and self-expression. Her retreats (such as her Salt Spring and Victoria sessions) include all materials, meal-planning, communal experiences, and opportunities to deepen practice and perspective.
In the space of The51 Art & Investment Retreat, Laura brings more than technique, she offers a well-honed process of translating intuition into creative action. As your guide, she anchors the artistic dimension of the retreat, facilitating moments where art, reflection, and investing intersect.
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Leah is the Chief Investment Strategist at Concurrent Investment Advisors and President of Elevate Family Partners, bringing over 30 years of experience in asset management, wealth strategy, and financial leadership.
Throughout her career, Leah has led private wealth divisions, served as Chief Investment Officer at multiple firms, and built customized investment portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and institutions. She is a recognized thought leader in finance, regularly featured on Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters, and Fox Business, and has previously served on the CFA Institute’s Global Board of Governors.
At The51 Art & Investment Retreat, Leah will lead the Investment Masterclass & Capital Session, helping participants decrypt alternative investments, understand portfolio construction, and navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. She will also share her expertise on building a portfolio of art that aligns with your personal interests while offering opportunities for financial performance, weaving together the creative and financial worlds through informed, intentional frameworks.
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Shelley is CEO & Co-Founder of The51, a financial platform built to activate women’s capital and shift the narrative around who gets to invest.
With more than 20 years of early-stage investing experience, starting in energy and expanding into tech, innovation, and community-driven ventures, Shelley brings both breadth and depth to the intersection of finance, art, and social impact.
Before The51, she co-founded Chaordix, Stormworks, and IOVIA, and now co-leads her family office, Adventure Capital, with her partner and sons.
Shelley’s vision for the retreat aligns deeply with her life’s work: she believes in creating spaces where women’s voices and capital are centered, where investing becomes an act of creativity and agency, and where connection and purpose drive value.
At the retreat, she will be present not only as a host, but as a co-creator, helping participants bridge intuition, capital, and creativity in ways that transform both portfolios and mindsets.
Retreat Outline
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Arrive at Oak Bay Beach Hotel and ease into the rhythm of the retreat with a welcoming dinner. Meet your fellow guests, share stories, and let the pace of everyday life begin to soften.
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Join an optional early morning walk along the Oak Bay coastline, then head to Laura’s studio for a hands-on painting session exploring texture as a form of expression. After a restorative lunch, return to the studio for more creative flow, ending the day with an intimate presentation and a chef-prepared dinner that nourishes both body and mind.
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Begin with grounding morning yoga at Laura’s studio and breakfast, before returning to the studio for a final day of painting, this time working with colour and emotion. After lunch, return to the studio to finish your paintings, then take time to rest or visit the spa before the Investment Masterclass & Capital Session led by Leah Bennett, followed by a shared dinner at Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departures and farewells.
Your Accommodation
Awaits
Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Victoria BC
Enjoy luxurious oceanside accommodations with spa amenities, seaside mineral pools, and world-class dining. The perfect environment to relax, reflect, and reimagine your investment mindset.
Accommodation is booked separately. A preferred booking code will be shared with registered guests in early 2026.
Booking & Payment
Early-Access Fee: $2,950 per person*
*Inclusive of base retreat rate, art supplies, luxury gift bag, meals, programming, and transportation to and from the hotel. Accommodation is booked separately with a preferred booking code.
Reserve your place today with a non-refundable deposit due April 10th.
This retreat is limited to just 12 participants to ensure meaningful connection and dialogue.
For inquiries, please contact,
Courtney Dragani, Chief Growth Officer, courtney@the51.com