Our Legacy

Who we are reflects the passions and values of the Johnson Family. Three generations of this family, with strong midwestern roots, have guided our work. Their enduring commitment to a better world drives our vision.

Nestled amid 36 wooded acres near the western shore of Lake Michigan, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Johnson family home, known as Wingspread, was completed in 1939.

Aerial view of a Frank Lloyd Wright designed building surrounded by lush greenery, with a pond and a swimming pool, near Lake Michigan in a suburban area.

Built for Herbert Fisk Johnson, Jr. (H.F. Johnson), the third-generation leader and president of SC Johnson, Wingspread was donated to the Foundation in 1959 to promote “the free exchange of constructive and purposeful ideas.” 

The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is unique among conference facilities. Our combination of focused mission, historic and stimulating natural setting, and proven 7-step convening process has established us as a trusted community partner.

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The Family Story

We envision a future where perspectives are understood, people feel connected, and progress is community-led. 

For three generations, the Johnson family has guided our work, which embodies the passions and values of the family and addresses some of the most pressing societal issues of the day.

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Helen Johnson-Leipold

Chairman of The Johnson Foundation, President and CEO of Johnson Outdoors, Chairman of Johnson Financial Group

Modeling her father’s values on philanthropy, Helen was the founder and Chairman of the Board of Next Generation Now, a pioneering child development and family support program that was the first five-star center to serve Racine’s central city. 

She also serves as chairman of The Prairie School, an K-12 independent private school.

Winnie Johnson Marquart

Alongside Helen, is Winnie Johnson Marquart, President of the Johnson Family Foundation. Winnie also serves as a Trustee of our Foundation, continuing the family’s commitment to Wingspread's stewardship and mission.

The Johnson Family Leadership Over the Years

  • 1959 - 1971

    H.F. Johnson, Jr. the third-generation leader of the SC Johnson company, commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design corporate and private buildings blending function, mission, and values, including Wingspread, the former family home that is now the center of our Foundation campus. H.F. Johnson donated Wingspread to The Johnson Foundation to serve as a unique meeting and conference space that would inspire participants to seek solutions to challenges

  • 1971 - 2004

    Previously, the Foundation was chaired by Samuel C. Johnson, the fourth-generation family leader of SC Johnson. Sam led the Foundation to focus on sustainable, responsible, and equitable development. Thanks to his remarkable leadership in many circles, the Foundation’s scope and relationships expanded tremendously.

  • 2004 - Present

    The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is chaired by Helen Johnson-Leipold, president and CEO of Johnson Outdoors.  She assumed the role in 2004, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather.  Under her guidance, the Foundation has embraced its unique role as a community connector in our region.

  • Looking Forward

    Now in 2025, we continue the family’s legacy through a community-centered approach. We bring people together to discuss and drive progress on the issues that matter most to them.

Noteworthy Conferences

The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread brings people together to discuss and drive progress on issues that matter most.

Wingspread inspires new thinking and relationship-building and has been relied on by well-known thought leaders, and conveners for decades.

Our landmark venue has welcomed esteemed organizations such as:

  • The National Endowment for the Arts

  • National Public Radio, 

  • The International Criminal Court

  • Public Allies

It has also served as an inspirational setting for the development of significant national initiatives, such as the 1983 Policy Framework for Racial Justice and the 2008 Presidential Climate Action Plan. 

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Our landmark venue has welcomed esteemed organizations such as:

  • The National Endowment for the Arts

  • National Public Radio, 

  • The International Criminal Court

  • Public Allies

It has also served as an inspirational setting for the development of significant national initiatives, such as the 1983 Policy Framework for Racial Justice and the 2008 Presidential Climate Action Plan. 

Noteworthy Conferences Over the Last 50 Years

Black and white photo of four people seated at a conference table, engaged in a meeting with documents in front of them.

Policy Framework for Racial Justice, 1983

Group of people seated at a table, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with notebooks and coffee cups in front of them.

  • Statement of purpose: To review a proposal to the next Presidential Administration on federal leadership in climate action and energy security.

    Co-sponsors: Wirth Chair, University of Colorado at Denver and the Baum Foundation

    Outcomes:

    • The Leadership Summit that is holding four Wingspread conferences developed a presidential action plan on climate change for the 2009 administration. Several other key environmental groups are developing similar initiatives. This meeting brought representatives from each of these initiatives (along with leaders from policy and business) to review a first draft of the PCAP.

    • The Presidential Climate Action Plan consists of four parts: 1) goals and milestones for reducing U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; 2) actions the President can take under his/her executive authority during the first 100 days in office; 3) actions for the Administration's first 1,000 days in office; and 4) initiatives the President can include in his/her first budget and legislative package to Congress.

    • On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 in a news conference at the National Press Building in Washington, D.C. Bill Becker, Ray Anderson and Sen. Gary Hart announced the final PCAP plan. That afternoon, the team also held a briefing on Capitol Hill.

Three people sitting at a conference table with laptops and notebooks in a meeting room with large windows.

  • Statement of purpose: To continue planning for the Wisconsin Partnership Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families in Racine.

    Co-sponsors: Racine/Kenosha Community Action Agency and The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread

    Outcomes: A collaborative was created for healthy birth outcomes to combat the African American infant mortality crisis in Racine. The Collaborative’s efforts resulted in increased access to quality health care, reduced stress caused by social and economic inequities, and strengthened families.

From its beginning, The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread has been at the forefront of bringing people together to generate transformative ideas that have a positive and lasting impact in our communities.