Leadership development that helps you
change the world.
Servant Forge is dedicated to forging leaders for the greater good — on land and at sea. We are eager for you to learn more about our leadership development program, Fairlead Sailing Excursions.
Our co-founder, James Copple, is not only an accomplished consultant, author and policymaker, but also a sailor. He invites you to sail the open seas as he leads your voyage alongside captains of industry.
Hone your leadership capabilities and reinvigorate your commitment to strengthen your community while learning how to sail with Fairlead Sailing Excursions.
What started as a group of friends getting together to sail has grown into annual voyages that offer participants a place to connect, reflect and grow.
The trips bring together exemplary leaders from a variety of business, civic, faith, commerce, philanthropy and education sectors.




The need for leadership isn’t confined to a boardroom, and James believes strong leaders are developed and forged best when faced with challenges and adversity.
Fairlead Sailing Excursions sponsored by Servant Forge and its partner organization, Leading to Serve, provide a community where people can share ideas about how to make the world a better place.
Fellows from Leading to Serve have offered sailing adventures for a decade, providing an environment to commune and connect with nature and each other. The trips feature a theme custom-suited to the destination — from the British Virgin Islands to Croatia — with daily discussions about leadership challenges, community and faith. Themes ultimately focus on service and one’s relationship to making their greater community a better place for everyone.
Email: jcopple@sai-dc.com
Guiding Principles of Fairlead Sailing Excursions
- Be a global citizen
- Question everything
- Share expertise freely
- Welcome change
- Be relevant
- Respect all humans
- Create value
- Embrace risk
- Respond to need
- Pay it forward





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