Jeanne Gang, the world-renowned architect whose design for the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay is now rising on the banks of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, was honored on December 5, 2024, with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by ULI Chicago, the local district council of the Urban Land Institute.
 
Jeanne Gang is the founding partner of Studio Gang, an award-winning international architecture and urban design practice. In addition to major projects throughout the Americas and Europe, she has designed some of Chicago’s most iconic structures, including the 101-story St. Regis skyscraper, the Aqua Tower, the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Eleanor Boathouse at Park 571, the Writers Theatre in Glencoe, and more. Studio Gang is also designing O’Hare International Airport’s new Global Terminal.
 
Gang and her Studio are behind the stunning design of the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay, founded by Ann Drake. When completed, the Center will be an inspiring space dedicated to bringing together accomplished women to collaborate on searching for solutions to address complex problems.
 
In choosing Gang as this year’s honoree, ULI Chicago’s award selection committee called out the qualities of “collaboration, research, and fearlessness” that characterize her work, which uses design to connect people to each other, to their communities, and to the environment. This is evident in their design of the buildings and interiors of the Women’s Leadership Center, which reflects a deep understanding of and appreciation for the Center’s pristine woodland setting overlooking a beautiful, glacial lake.
 
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a land use think tank and research institute whose purpose is to encourage creation of communities that are healthy, equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Chicago is one of ULI’s 52 District Councils in the U.S. ULI Chicago gives its Lifetime Achievement Award to leaders whose positive impact on real estate in the Windy City — in addition to their contribution to civic, charitable, and philanthropic efforts — embodies the mission of the institute.