By Megan McKinney
Chicago Zoological Society, the parent organization of our beloved Brookfield Zoo, honored an impressive foursome of recipients at its 16th annual Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner. Nearly 300 guests attended the dinner hosted by Society’s Board of Trustees and Women’s Board at the Four Seasons Hotel last month.
The evening’s stars were Chicago Zoological Society President and CEO Dr. Stuart Strahl, Niassa Lion Project Co-Founder and Managing Director Dr. Colleen Begg of Mozambique, Wildlife Conservation Network President and Co-Founder Charles Knowles of San Francisco, Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Barbara Levy Kipper of Chicago, and Disney Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment Dr. Mark Penning.
Dr. Stuart Strahl with recipient of the Corwith Hamill Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award Barbara Levy Kipper of Chicago.
Niassa Lion Project Co-Founder and recipient of the George B. Rabb Conservation Medal Dr. Colleen Begg of Mozambique with Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair Bert Getz.
Wildlife Conservation Network President and Co-Founder Charles Knowles of San Francisco, California with Openlands President and CEO Gerald W. Adelmann of Chicago. Mr. Knowles accepted the Edith Rockefeller McCormick Partnership Award on behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Network.
Gerald W. Adelmann with Disney Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment Dr. Mark Penning. Dr. Penning accepted the Edith Rockefeller McCormick Partnership Award on behalf of the Disney Conservation Fund.
Jim Bramsen and Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair Betsy Bramsen of Barrington, Kay Golitz of Barrington, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board Member Cookie Cohen of Wayne, and Ted Golitz of Barrington.
Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Randy Vickery of La Grange, Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, and Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Ryan Williamson of La Grange.
Hilary Kurinsky of Chicago and Western Springs residents Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Kevin Keeley and Monique Keeley.
Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Barbara Levy Kipper of Chicago.
Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board Member Cookie Cohen of Wayne and Chicago Zoological Society Vice President of Marine Mammal Conservation Dr. Randy Wells of Sarasota, Florida.
Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Mark Sander and Valerie Sander.
Jim and Betsy Bramson.
Chicago residents Meredith Osborne and Tim Huizenga and Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Heidi Huizenga of Oak Brook.
Robert and Emily King of Burr Ridge.
Teen volunteers from the Chicago Zoological Society’s King Conservation Scholars program with Robert and Emily King of Burr Ridge.
Animal Care Specialist Jill Braun with one of Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors and Inverness residents Jennifer and Dean Popish, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board Member Melissa Canning, and Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Michael Canning.
Lake County Forest Preserves Executive Director Ty Kovach and Lea Kovach of Gurnee and Openlands President and CEO Gerald W. Adelmann.
Animal Care Specialist Jill Braun with one of Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors and Winnetka residents Chicago Zoological Society Life Trustee John Taylor III and Tobey Taylor.
Elan Jacoby, Barbara Levy Kipper, and Tamar Jacoby.
Jacob Morgan, Chicago Zoological Society Governing Member Ambassador Zena Diggs and Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Rita Cook of Mokena.
Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Heidi Huizenga of Oak Brook, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board Member Cookie Cohen of Wayne, and Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair Cherryl Thomas of Chicago.
Dr. Stuart Strahl, center, with Morgan McCarey and Matt Vana of New Lenox and Michele and Tom Vana of New Lenox.
John Roberts, Betsy Bramsen, Cookie Cohen and Dr. Mark Penning.
Photo Credit:
Jim Schultz/Chicago Zoological Society
