“Think strategically,” “let’s celebrate what we have in common,” “be afraid and do it” – these slogans resonated most strongly during the 20th anniversary of the “PAFF Leaders” program. The meeting took place in Falenty on June 13, 2025 and brought together about 200 people – graduates of all editions of the program.
The event was organized by the program team of Zbigniew Pełczyński School for Leaders Foundation and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
Its purpose was not only to celebrate, but also to reflect on the role of a leader in a changing world. Memories of the program’s beginnings, inspiring speeches, and workshops created a space for sharing experiences and building community.
The event was opened by the Program Director, Agnieszka Szelągowska, and a graduate of the sixth edition, currently the mayor of Radzyń Podlaski, Jakub Jakubowski. The event agenda included inspiring speeches by Radosław Jasiński, PAFF Program Director, and Przemysław Radwan-Röhrenschef, President of the School for Leaders until 2023, who talked about the beginnings of the program. The audience then listened to speeches on three different leadership perspectives presented by Ambassador Jerzy Koźmiński, Sylwia Chutnik, and Katarzyna Czayka-Chełmińska.
Jerzy Koźmiński, President and CEO of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation, recalled the power of leadership during times of political transformation. “Success was not a foregone conclusion. But thanks to leaders and determination, the goal was achieved,” he emphasized, pointing to the importance of strategic thinking and courage in action.
Katarzyna Czayka-Chełmińska, co-creator of the program, said in her speech, “It’s not just a program—it’s a living network of people who are changing their communities. Today, a leader is someone who can coexist in diversity and build relationships based on curiosity and trust.” Sylwia Chutnik, writer and activist, talked about courage despite fear and burnout in the work of a leader. “Be afraid and do it anyway – that’s my motto. Courage is not about the absence of fear, but about acting despite it,” she said, calling for greater mindfulness and self-care in social work.
An important part of the jubilee celebration was the “The BEST OF” workshop, led by a team composed of Ombudsperson for Children Monika Horna-Cieślak, Justyna Dąbrowska, Dr. Justyna Józefowicz, Magdalena Radwan-Röhrenschef, MP Marcin Skonieczka, Kamil Śliwowski, and Maciej Żywno. Participants could choose from several topics – from building dialogue in diversity, teamwork, working with the body and voice, to developing leadership skills. It was an opportunity to recall the methods that shaped their leadership path and to discover new inspirations.
After the official part of the jubilee celebrations, the annual Meeting of PAFF Leadership Program Alumni began. This traditional meeting has been bringing leaders together for years, creating a space for conversation, exchange of experiences, and celebration of the leadership community. This year’s meeting was unique – the jubilee evening was graced by a concert by Ola Bilińska and Iza Lamik. This was followed by a gala dinner – a regular feature of the program – which provided an opportunity for informal conversations, reminiscing, and strengthening bonds.
The second day of the meeting, June 14, was filled with Leaders for Leaders workshops – a regular and highly valued part of the program. It is a space where graduates share their experiences, competencies, and tools for working with communities. This year’s topics included storytelling, working with emotions, building local coalitions, and facilitation methods – all based on practice and mutual learning.
“It was like coming home – full of support, inspiration, and people who understand what responsible leadership is,” one participant summed up the entire event.
