Leadership, Resilience & The Power of Reset with North Star Retreats

When experience meets empathy, real change begins.That’s exactly what Emma Butler, founder of North Star Superyacht Academy & Retreats, has set in motion — a new kind of leadership movement in the yachting world, one that blends accredited training with genuine restoration.

From November 2–9, 2025, Cape Town will host the first North Star Leadership Retreat — a program designed to give yacht leaders something they’ve rarely been offered before: the space to breathe, reflect, and evolve.

“We have so little time to do so many things when we’re on holiday as crew members. This retreat blends the rest we deserve with accredited leadership training — all in a place that reconnects you to who you are.”

A New Model of Leadership

For more than a decade, Emma Butler worked her way up the ranks of superyacht service — from head of housekeeping to chief stewardess and interior manager aboard vessels up to 150 meters. Her journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges, shaped her deep understanding of what it truly means to lead at sea.

Drawing from those experiences, North Star Retreats merges IAMI GUEST-accredited leadership training with wellbeing practices such as yoga, mindfulness, and adventure experiences — all grounded in the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town.

The retreat’s first program will feature Unit 17, the Foundation Leadership Course for yacht leaders, offering participants a globally recognized certification while also emphasizing the softer, more human aspects of command.

“Leadership in yachting has long been about discipline and delivery. What we’re trying to do now is add empathy — because true authority starts with understanding.”

Healing the Industry from Within

For too long, crew culture has normalized exhaustion, isolation, and silence. Butler believes that needs to change — not through criticism, but through education and compassion.

Her goal is to help crew and leaders alike rediscover purpose and resilience.By integrating training with rest and shared experiences, North Star Retreats creates an environment where participants can not only learn but unlearn — releasing habits formed under chronic stress and replacing them with strategies rooted in empathy, communication, and balance.

“At some point, it gets lonely at the top. Captains, heads of departments — they all need spaces where they can be honest, vulnerable, and supported without judgment. That’s what North Star is about.”

Beyond the Deck — A Vision for Change

Emma’s vision stretches far beyond a single retreat. Her ambition is to establish a global series of North Star programs — bringing the same blend of professional growth and human connection to other yachting hubs around the world.

From the calm waters of South Africa to the bustling marinas of Florida or the Mediterranean, the mission remains the same: to redefine leadership in yachting from the inside out.

“We can’t keep telling new crew to just ‘grow thicker skin.’ We have to model better leadership — and that starts by giving ourselves permission to slow down, to listen, and to lead differently.”

Join the Journey

The first North Star Leadership Retreat takes place 2–9 November 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.Participants will gain accredited leadership certification, reconnect with purpose, and return to their vessels ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

🌍 Retreat Dates: 2–9 November 2025

🌐 Website: www.northstar-retreats.com

📸 Instagram: @north_star_superyacht_academy