The Retreat for Women in Applied Mathematics (RWAM) 2023 was a pilot event that aimed to offer participants at all stages of their career a unique opportunity to network and learn about best academic practices. The programme comprised research talks and round-table discussions on: career paths, management and leadership, research funding, impact and innovation, university teaching, student supervision, and peer-reviewing, which are usually only informally discussed at conventional workshops and conferences. The overarching goal was to build a strong support network for female applied mathematicians, designed and led by women mathematicians, that will long serve as a source of inspiration, mentoring and collaboration, to foster trust, solidarity, confidence and forward-looking future initiatives.