Reflections from the National Women’s History Museum Gala in Washington D.C.

When we write the past, we define the future. It’s said that people don’t tell stories so much as our stories tell us. They describe who we are, who we’ve been, how we think, why that might matter, and therefore what we can expect from the world. The power of the narrative is the power...

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Courage Creates Confidence: Supporting Girls to Go for More

Courage is the prerequisite to confidence. This powerful phrase from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management Professor Ellen Taaffe’s book The Mirrored Door inspired a special workshop hosted by the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay High School. The event, titled “Courage Creates Confidence,” took place on Thursday, February 9, 2025. It was the second annual...

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Investing in the Future: Drake Scholars Reunite

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...

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A Collaboration Ready for Takeoff

We all get consumed with the demands of our professional lives. Intense board meetings. Conference calls on video. Searches for just the right talent. Who has time to break away for reflection and connection? At the second annual retreat of the Women Corporate Directors’ Chicago Chapter (WCD Chicago) in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, twenty high-achieving women...

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To Succeed, First Grow a Growth Mindset

An astrophysicist, a nationally known consultant and author, a marketing communications specialist, and a senior strategy advisor walk into a high school. The punchline? Actually, it’s no joke: For a group of teenage girls contemplating their futures, a workshop featuring women leaders in these four roles painted a picture of the possibilities—and the mental strength...

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