Community Makers: Cynthia Lichter on Building Connection, Culture, and a Wellness-Driven Offsite

A Native New Yorker With a Built-In Sense of Community

Cynthia doesn’t come to team-building by accident. She grew up in a version of New York that raised you in crowds—in family kitchens, on front stoops, and at the local bodega where half your cousins seemed to be waiting in line for the same after-school snacks.

“I’m a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens,” she shared. “I come from a large, tight-knit family, all rooted in the city. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by relatives and countless family gatherings filled with unforgettable memories.”

If you want to understand how she plans events, just picture young Cynthia tagging along on school trips to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, museums, zoos, and amusement parks. The through-line? Movement, excitement, and moments designed to be shared.

Her offsites carry that same energy—spaces that feel alive, layouts that encourage mingling, and small details that make big groups feel like one connected team.

The Role: Part Executive Assistant, Part Office Operations, Part Chief Happiness Officer

Cynthia’s job may have a formal title, but its impact stretches across the entire league office.

“I really enjoy the variety in my role,” she said. “In addition to my responsibilities as an Executive Assistant, I also manage shipping and receiving, as well as general office operations. I take pride in supporting my coworkers and creating a positive, well-equipped work environment where they have everything they need to be productive and successful.”

This variety is exactly why she excels at events: she sees the big picture and the little details that make it all work.

Of course, that wide-reaching role comes with challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges is balancing multiple, often unrelated, tasks and projects. It definitely keeps me on my toes and requires strong time management and prioritization to stay organized and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.”

It’s this juggling act—this ability to bring order to complexity—that makes her uniquely suited to orchestrate the league’s multi-city offsite gatherings.

The venue’s thoughtful layout supported smooth transitions between announcements, group moments, and breakout conversations — exactly the environment Cynthia envisioned.

The Annual Offsite: A Moving Target That Keeps Getting Better

The NWSL’s annual offsite meeting has become something of a traveling tradition.

“We’ve hosted 3 of these offsite meetings,” Cynthia explained. “Last year was in Chicago, where we used two separate venues, and the prior year was in our NYC office.”

This year, the goal was different. The team needed:

• One cohesive location
• A meaningful atmosphere
• A design-forward space that supported movement
• A layout that let teams from different cities mix naturally
• Enough room for 80 people without feeling like a conference hall

Enter Cocoon.

How Discovery Portfolio Came In: Location Scouting With Intent

Because the event was large and multi-layered, Cynthia didn’t simply need a venue. She needed a venue that felt right—something with warmth, personality, and enough architectural thoughtfulness to help spark connection.

Cocoon’s Discovery Portfolio was created exactly for moments like this: when a client needs a space that isn’t just functional, but experiential.

Through the Discovery Portfolio, our team curated a selection of spaces that fit Cynthia’s vision—design-driven layouts, organic elements, and an atmosphere that felt engaging rather than corporate. Cynthia ultimately chose a venue known for its flowing, gallery-like footprint and its natural textures.

“What I really appreciated about the venue,” she said, “was the thoughtful design. The vertical plant walls added a vibrant, natural touch to the space, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The hidden phone booths were a great feature—perfect for private conversations or quick calls during the event. The gallery-style layout encouraged movement and interaction, making it easy for team members to connect with colleagues they don’t usually work with.”

She captured exactly what Cocoon’s Discovery Portfolio is designed to offer: spaces that behave like partners in the event, not just backdrops.

Bringing Wellness Into Corporate Culture

Because a good team-building day should feel good in your body too. Cynthia has a soft spot for wellness experiences—so much so that her dream project, she told us, is a full-blown spiritual retreat.

“A dream project of mine is to organize a large wellness/spiritual retreat type of event.”

So for this offsite, she wanted more than presentations and breakout groups. She wanted her team to decompress. To breathe. To reconnect, not just as coworkers, but as humans navigating a high-energy profession.

This is where Cocoon’s SuperConcierge service stepped in.

Working closely with Cynthia, our team arranged:

• Aromatherapy sessions with the incredible Makeba
• Chair massage therapy with LoDo
• Guided breathwork with a meditative soundscape

The effect was immediate: the space softened, the energy grounded, conversations opened up, and the corporate offsite became a wellness-forward retreat — the kind Cynthia had always imagined.

It wasn’t just thoughtful programming; it was a moment of alignment between Cocoon’s concierge expertise and Cynthia’s vision for her team.

A Surprise Flash Mob Because… Why Not?

Every great offsite needs one unexpected moment — the kind everyone talks about afterward.

When asked if there were any fun stories from the day, Cynthia delivered a gem:

“Some staff members organized a flash mob and surprised us with a dance during one of the breaks!”

This is the kind of thing that only happens when a group feels comfortable, connected, and energized by their environment. A good venue doesn’t create culture, but it accelerates it — turning a room of 80 people into a moment worth remembering.

Midday breaks became moments of connection, with the open café-style setup giving everyone space to recharge and mingle.

Why Cocoon? An Experience You Can Feel

When we asked Cynthia what she appreciated most about working with Cocoon, she didn’t point to spreadsheets or logistics. She pointed to people.

“The team was incredibly helpful and patient throughout the booking process. I really appreciated the wide range of Casa options available, which allowed us to consider not only the location and logistical needs but also the aesthetics.”

This is what we strive for — not just to provide venues, but to provide clarity, ease, and collaboration.

“We would love to work with your team again in the future,” she added. “It was a great process.”

The feeling is mutual.

What Corporate Offsites Need Now And why Cynthia’s approach is becoming the gold standard

The landscape of corporate gatherings is changing. Teams are distributed. Offices are hybrid. Culture is no longer built in hallways or weekly meetings — it’s built in intentional gatherings where people actually get to slow down and connect.

Cynthia’s offsite reflects a rising shift:

• Wellness-forward programming is no longer niche.
• Design-centered venues help people stay present.
• Movement-rich layouts encourage cross-team interaction.
• Curated experiences (like aromatherapy and breathwork) boost morale and reduce burnout.
• Scouted locations like those in Cocoon’s Discovery Portfolio ensure events feel fresh, not formulaic.

It’s the future of corporate team building — more human, more personal, more creative.

The lounge and café area set the tone for the day, giving the team a comfortable, open space to settle in between sessions.

Advice From Cynthia: Build With Intention (and Let Yourself Have Some Fun)

Cynthia knows better than anyone that planning a multi-city offsite is no small feat. But her approach is simple: lead with the experience you want your team to have.

When you create space for people to feel grounded, welcomed, and inspired, the rest falls into place.

Her story serves as a reminder that great events don’t need extravagance — they need care, flow, and personality.

And maybe a surprise flash mob.

Bring Your Team Together — The Cocoon Way

If you’re planning a corporate offsite team-building day in NYC, your space should support creativity, connection, and calm — not fight against it.

Whether you’re gathering 10 people or 100, Cocoon helps you:

• Find the perfect venue through our Discovery Portfolio
• Elevate the experience with SuperConcierge wellness add-ons
• Receive hands-on support from our booking and on-site teams
• Create an environment where your people can recharge, reconnect, and collaborate

Ready to plan your next offsite?

You can explore our Casas, discover new spaces, or reach out to our team to start curating your experience.

Because the right space doesn’t just host your event — it shapes it.

A fully stocked café station kept the team energized all day, with a setup designed for effortless flow during breaks and meals. Book now with Cocoon and create an offsite experience your team will actually look forward to.

Frequently Asked Questions about Venues for Offsite Team Building