About Our Leadership Team

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee Board of Directors consists of dedicated community leaders who volunteer their time and talent in governing the organization. Board members have a fiduciary responsibility to guide the organization and help champion our mission in the community.

Board Leadership Intro Image

2024 Board of Directors

Officers

Derek Tyus, Chair
Tami Garrison, Vice Chair/Chair-elect
John Kissinger, Vice Chair
Peggy Kelsey, Secretary
Jon Sohn, Treasurer
Jay McKenna, Immediate Past Chair

Directors

Mark Berkoff
Rob Beres
Janette Braverman
Jason Fathallah*
Joe Frohna
Jodi Gibson**
Margaret Harris
Nezih Hasanoglu
Tanya Hines
Emory Ireland
Christine Irgens
John Kellerman
Dan Kempken
Maria Gonzalez Knavel
Joe Kresl
Caroline Krider
Jenna Kunde
Demond Means

Kat Morrow
Kristin Occhetti
Scott Redlinger
Harold Redman
Don Robertson
Joe Rock
Chuck Roedel
Barry Sattell
Rick Schmidt
Roger Smith
Tony Staniak
Judy Holz Stathas
David Strelitz
Matthew Swentkofske
James Ward
Wendell Willis

* Associate Board President
** Zoological Society President & CEO

Honorary Board

The Zoological Society selects previous board members who have significantly contributed to the organization in notable ways to be a part of the honorary board. Our honorary board includes:

William Abraham
John B. Burns
Michael Carter
Stephen M. Dearholt
Richard A. Gallun
Michael M. Grebe
John A. Hazelwood
Robert A. Kahlor
Karen Peck Katz
Quinn Martin

Sandi Moomey
Jeffry A. Neuenschwander
Jill Pelisek
Gina Peter
Jay Robertson
Rich Tennessen
Ray Wilson
Bernard C. Ziegler, III

Associate Board

The role of the Associate Board is to oversee the fundraising events for the Zoological Society and represent the organization in the community. Members volunteer their time throughout the year and serve on committees to assist in the success of each event.

Brandon Andreasen
Brian Boecker
Jordan Carey
Merry Casperson
Aaron Cranfill
Kelly Dancy
Tom DiSalvo
Jason Fathallah*
Sean Finnigan
Jacob Jorgensen
David Konkel
Tracy Murn
Eric Nitz
Jim Olson

Kent Oren
Elizabeth Pancratz
Kurt Peter
Vedran Rimarcuk
Kevin Schalk
Emily Starr
Kelly Sullivan
Steven Szymanski
Chris Timm
Ashley Voelz
Krista Werner
Kate Westfall
Melissa Will

* Associate Board President

Honorary Associate Board

The Zoological Society selects previous board members who have significantly contributed to the organization in notable ways to be a part of the honorary board.

Bob Anger
Tony Baish
David Batten
Lori Bechthold
Meghan Shannon Berndt
Matthew D’Attilio
Nora Dreske
John Fleckenstein
Mike Fox
Linda Grunau
Eli Guzniczak
Lee Walther Kordus
Peter Kordus
Joe Kresl
Quinn Martin
Kat Morrow
Margie Paur

Katie Pionkoski
Richard J. Podell
Bunny Raasch-Hooten
Arlene Remsik
Barry Sattell
Dan Schwabe
Randy Scoville
Tricia Shinners
Judy Holz Stathas
Jeff Steren
David Strelitz
Jim Szymanski
Kathleen Toohey
Pete Underwood
Jane Wierzba
Ray Wilson

Zoological Society Leadership Team

Jodi Portrait

Jodi Gibson
President and CEO

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee is led by Jodi Gibson, president and CEO since 2016. Like many people who grew up in Milwaukee, Gibson has fond memories of attending the Milwaukee County Zoo as a child. As an adult, she recognizes the Zoo is not only an amazing conservation and educational institution, but it is also an important cultural attraction that contributes to the economic vitality of Milwaukee, making our community a great place to live, work and play.

Gibson has a unique background having held senior leadership positions in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She has served as the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at two global Fortune-200 companies and led fundraising activities at the country’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity.

Gibson and the leadership team at the Zoological Society oversee about 50 full-time employees and about 40 interns and part-time employees.

Jason Koehler

Jason Koehler
Chief Financial Officer

Jenny Mueller

Jenny Mueller
Chief Revenue Development Officer

Beth Fetterley Heller

Beth Fetterley Heller
Vice President of Programs

Chris Keene

Chris Keene
Creative Director