One unforgettable day to explore, wonder, and howl at the moon. A circle of extraordinary women, the lake at our feet, the whole sky overhead — and a rare eclipse to end the night.
-- nights until we gather beneath the eclipse
Thursday · August 27 · 2026
You're invited to spend a day discovering the secrets of the universe
— and a few of your own —
alongside a remarkable circle of women.
Think summer camp for the brilliantly curious, set on 8.6 acres of woodland above the shimmering blue of Geneva Lake, with a day built to light up your brain and your senses.
By day, you'll roam the campus:
talks on the pier, stories around the bonfire, and adventures you chart yourself.
By night, we'll gather under a rare eclipse moon for dinner, dancing, and stargazing.
For some of you, this is a heartfelt thank you for the guidance you've offered along the way; for others, a first introduction.
For all of you, it's a day and a night we intend to make unforgettable.
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – Late Evening
Location: Women's Leadership Center
Travel: Guests arrange their own travel to Lake Geneva.
Overnight stays: Because the eclipse runs late into the night, we warmly encourage you to stay over and make a night of it. We've reserved a block of rooms at The Lodge at Geneva National, and a complimentary shuttle will run from the hotel to the Center before lunch and back again at evening's end.
Room reservations are made directly with the hotel, and lodging is at each guest's own expense.
Booking instructions for the room block, along with shuttle details, are available when you RSVP.
"The stars for women's leadership are aligning over Williams Bay."
— Ann M. Drake, Chair & President
Thursday, August 27, 2026
From talks on the pier and bonfire stories to dancing beneath a rare eclipse moon — every moment is built to spark your curiosity and your senses.
SunlightStarlight
The Council, Lodge, Cabin, Terrace Garden, Boardwalk, Woodland Clearing, and more — all connected by winding paths through 8.6 acres of pristine woodlands on Geneva Lake. As the day's full agenda comes together, this map will become your guide: a wayfinding key to every Science, Nature, Art, and Connect experience, where it happens and when — so you can chart your own path through the Center.
A preview of how the day will flow across the Center. Sample tracks and times shown below — the final wayfinding map, with confirmed sessions and start times, arrives closer to the event.
By the End of the Night
Stretch your thinking — on the pier, in the panels, and in conversations that change the world.
Meet remarkable women, reconnect with old friends, and forge bonds around the bonfire.
Raise a glass over dinner and dance beneath a rare eclipse moon on Geneva Lake.
Leave sparked — carrying new ideas, energy, and momentum into all that comes next.
1:30 – 5:30 PM
Experiences unfold all across the Center — on the pier, along the lakeshore path, around the bonfire, and inside the Council. Follow your curiosity from one to the next and design your own adventure. You are here — and the whole campus is yours to discover.
Sign up for these experiences when you RSVP. Space is limited for each and offered first-come, first-served. As experiences reach capacity, we'll work to open more sessions.
The Pier · Geneva Lake
ScienceWoodland Clearing
ConnectThe Terrace Garden
ConnectLakeshore Trail
NatureCouncil Conference Rooms
ScienceUpper Library
ConnectThe Council
ConnectDemonstration · The Council
ScienceThe Lodge Great Room
ArtThe Cabin
ArtPlus coffee lounges, refreshment stations, and quiet spaces to wander between experiences. Sessions are color-coded by track — Science, Nature, Art, and Connect — so you can design your own adventure across the Center. More to come.
As the Sun Sets
As daylight fades, the evening builds toward something truly rare — a reception, a special dinner, dancing, and a celestial finale overhead.
Reception
6:30 PM — Thematic beverages & live music
Dinner & Astronomy
7:30 PM — A special dinner & a sky primer
Dancing & Stargazing
9:00 PM — Beneath the eclipse moon
A Once-in-a-Generation Finale
On the very night of our gathering, the sky offers something extraordinary. A deep partial lunar eclipse — with roughly 96% of the moon slipping into Earth's shadow and glowing a deep reddish-orange — will be visible from start to finish across our skies. Astronomers call it the most striking lunar eclipse anywhere on Earth until the close of 2028.
The full "Sturgeon Moon" of late summer — perfectly timed, directly above Geneva Lake. No telescope required; the eclipse is safe and breathtaking to the naked eye.
The Campus
8.6 pristine acres on the shores of Geneva Lake — where world-class architecture meets natural beauty, designed to foster conversation and collaboration. As you explore, imagine what a gathering of your own might look like here.












Whether for ten or a hundred, these spaces were made for bringing remarkable people together. We'd love to show you what's possible.
Your Hosts & Guides
You'll be in extraordinary company. Meet some of the remarkable women who will welcome, inspire, and guide you through the day.
Your Host
Chair & President, Women's Leadership Center at Williams Bay
Ann M. Drake founded the Women's Leadership Center in 2020 with a singular vision: to create a world-class space where accomplished women could reflect, connect, and collaborate on fresh approaches to complex challenges. A transformational leader and philanthropist, Ann brings together the brightest minds to imagine — and build — a better future.

Advisory Board
President & CEO, Griffin Museum of Science & Industry
Chevy Humphrey leads one of the world's premier science museums, inspiring millions to explore science, technology, and innovation. She will lead a breakout session on the future of science, discovery, and women in STEM.

Advisory Board
Retired Astronaut, NASA
Colonel Cady Coleman is a former NASA astronaut who spent 159 days aboard the International Space Station. A scientist, flutist, and trailblazer, she brings a perspective that is literally out of this world.

Advisory Board
Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Francesca Cornelli is the Dean of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University — one of the world's top business schools. A renowned economist and thought leader, she champions women in leadership at every level.

Advisory Board
Former CEO, Deloitte Consulting / US Board Chair – Deloitte
Janet Foutty served as Chair of the Board of Deloitte US and CEO of Deloitte Consulting, leading one of the world's largest professional services organizations. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership.

Advisory Board
Board Director, Cigna Group, Smithsonian Institution
Donna Zarcone is a distinguished corporate board director serving organizations including the Cigna Group, Duchossois Capital Management, and the Smithsonian Institution. A respected voice in governance and leadership.

Advisory Board
Former Dean, Division of Physical Sciences, University of Chicago
Angela V. Olinto is a world-renowned astrophysicist and former Dean of the Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago. Her research on cosmic rays and the early universe has shaped our understanding of the cosmos.
WLC Leadership Team

MarySue Barrett
SVP Programming & Partnerships

Jennifer Nix
SVP Marketing & Strategy

Yvette Howard
VP Property & Visitor Experience

Casey Stelletello
VP Programming & Partnerships
✦ Space Is Limited ✦
Whether we're saying thank you for your guidance along the way or welcoming you for the very first time, we'd be honored to have you with us. Space is limited, so we hope you'll reserve your place soon.
Kindly respond by July 15, 2026.