Over 25 women from across the U.S. gathered in Lake Geneva from September 20-22 for the second Drake Scholars Retreat. The attendees received scholarships Ann funded through AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education), the MBA program at Kellogg School of Management, or the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. The purpose of these scholarships is advancing women’s leadership. 

Retreat participants enjoyed a presentation by Ellen Taaffe, Clinical Associate Professor of Management & Organizations and Director of Women’s Leadership Programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Taaffe is author of The Mirrored Door, a look at the psychological barriers women face as they climb the career ladder.

Donna de St Aubin, principal at consulting firm St. Aubin, Haggerty & Associates, led a workshop on developing a workplace mindset embracing ambition and authenticity. Her workshop was inspired by 15 Lies Women are Told at Work—and the Truth We Need to Succeed by Bonnie Hammer. In addition to dinner and a concert at The Belfry Music Theater, the retreat included a guided tour of Geneva Lake on the Yacht Polaris, and a visit to the active construction site of the future Women’s Leadership Center!