Gala Dinner 2026

Join us for the Annual Gathering’s crowning event — where fine dining meets sharp wit, great minds mingle over even greater conversation, and every course comes with a side of unforgettable entertainment. It’s the kind of night you’ll be talking about long after dessert is served.

Purchase Tickets

Gala Dinner 2026

Join us for a moderated conversation
with Monica Lewinsky

Thursday, July 2

$125 in advance / $140 on-site

 

Monica Lewinsky is an activist, writer, producer, global public speaker, and contributing editor to Vanity Fair. She is also the host of the podcast Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, which launched in February 2025, and explores personal narratives of identity, survival, and transformation. The podcast was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Top 10 New Podcasts of 2025” and included in The Guardian’s “20 Best Podcasts of 2025.”

Ken Jennings headshot

A leading voice on the issues of public shaming, cyberbullying, and resilience, Lewinsky has transformed her own lived experience into influential advocacy work. Through writing, speaking, and storytelling, she fosters compassionate conversations around shame, accountability, and reclaiming one’s voice.

Lewinsky served as an executive producer on the Hulu series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which premiere in August 2025. After meeting Knox at a conference and reading a New York Times interview in which Knox expressed interest in adapting her memoir, Lewinsky initiated the project—bringing together key creative partners and helping secure writer KJ Steinberg and The Littlefield Company to bring the story to screen. She previously served as a producer on Ryan Murphy’s Impeachment: American Crime Story for FX and as an executive producer on the HBO Max documentary 15 Minutes of Shame.

 In 2015, after a decade of silence, Lewinsky authored the essay “Shame and Survival” for Vanity Fair, in which she examined the lasting effects of public humiliation and challenged a culture that disproportionately shames and silences the powerless. The essay was nominated for a National Magazine Award.

 Her 2015 TED Talk, “The Price of Shame,” has been viewed more than 25 million times, and has spoken at major global events including the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, Cannes Lions FestivalThe Atlantic Festival, and New York Times Dealbook Summit.

 As a social activist, Lewinsky advocates for a safer social media environment and addresses topics such as digital resilience, privacy, and cultivating compassion online. In 2017, for National Bullying Prevention Month, she launched the #ClickWithCompassion campaign and released the Emmy-nominated PSA In Real Life in collaboration with BBDO New York. She and BBDO continued to partner in 2018 and 2019 on additional award-winning campaigns. Her most recent 2023 campaign, Stand Up to Yourself, encourages people to stop “self-bullying.”

 Lewinsky is a founding board member of the Childhood Resilience Foundation, serves on the advisory board of Project Rockit (Australia’s premier anti-bullying organization), and is an Ambassador for The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Program in the UK. She holds a master’s degree in social psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The Gala Dinner is a ticketed event. Purchase is available with your Annual Gathering registration.

Dinner Menu

Salad: Insalata caprese - mozzarella, hot house tomato, olive pesto, balsamic, basil

Entrée Options: 

  • Achiote chicken - whipped sweet potato, broccolini, heirloom carrots
  • Beef short rib -  whipped sweet potato, broccolini, heirloom carrots, roast shallot demi
  • Vegan Rolotini (gluten free) - eggplant rolled and stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, roasted tomatoes, and vegan ricotta cheese. Served with Saffron Rice, Tuscan Kale, Tomato Ragu.

Dessert: Dr Pepper mousse cake - dark chocolate ganache, Dr Pepper caramel crunch cake

Meal service includes freshly brewed iced tea, water, artisan rolls, and butter.

 

Prices listed online are for advance-sale only. On-site purchases will include a $15 convenience surcharge per ticket. Please note that a 10 percent processing fee will be charged for cancellation and refund requests on refundable registrations through May 31, 2026. No refund requests will be accepted after the deadline. For more information or to cancel, email Registration.