By Megan McKinney
Bringing the Whirl to Town
It was a Safari. A Safari into the city. Not the just the city but the Hilton Chicago. And The Brookfield Zoo Whirl will never be the same. Melissa Canning, a member of the Chicago Zoological Society’s Women’s Board, and Michael Canning of the Society’s Board of Trustees co-chaired the evening, which attracted 450 attendees and raised $1.4 million.
Remember when virtually all of the city’s usual suspects ventured out to Brookfield every spring? Well, it was that kind of evening, but the reverse. If you stick with us for the next couple dozen or so photos from Jim Schultz and Kelly Tone, you will see.
Michael and Melissa Canning
Michael and Melissa Canning
Dr. Michael Adkesson, President and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, and Society Board Chair Cherryl Thomas, were joined at the Whirl by Toni Preckwinkle, President of Cook County Board of Commissioners, and Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Jeff and Katy Podjasek of Glenview; Chicago Zoological Society’s 2022 Whirl Co-Chairs—Inverness residents Michael Canning, member of the Society’s Board of Trustees, and Melissa Canning, member of the Society’s Women’s Board; Beth and Tony Lupo of Park Ridge; and Julia and Jon Baraglia of Niles.
Dr. Michael Adkesson, President and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society and Director of the Brookfield Zoo, with Sasha Gerritson, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board President, of Glenview.
Randy Vickery, Chicago Zoological Society Secretary, and Charlene Vickery of La Grange.
Jennifer Bellini, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board member, and Scott Richardson of Barrington.
Micaela Saviano, Barbara Grayson and Pamela Lucina.
Katie MacMillan of Oak Park and Kelley Schueler, Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair, of Hinsdale
Betsy Bramsen, Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair, of Barrington; Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County; and Jennifer Randall
Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board members Erin Brown-Carter of Batavia and Romana Malinowski of Hinsdale
Mike DeSantiago, Chicago Zoological Society Trustee, and Carmen DeSantiago of Niles with Dr. Bonny Chen, Chicago Zoological Society Trustee, and Jim Olguin of Hinsdale
South Barrington residents Mike Olszewski and Tammy Olszewski, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board member
Sarah Ozinga of Chicago; Annie Ozinga of Frankfort; Amanda Ozinga of Mokena; and Seana Ozinga of Mokena
Betsy Bradley of Hinsdale; Heidi Huizenga, Chicago Zoological Society Trustee, of Oak Brook; and Greta Huizenga of Chicago
Dave and Betsy Bradley of Hinsdale
Jeff Podjasek of Glenview, John Canning of Inverness, Katy Podjasek of Glenview, Rita Canning of Inverness, Beth and Tony Lupo of Park Ridge, and Jessica and Tim Canning of Chicago
Betsy Bramsen, Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair, of Barrington; Jim Bramsen, Chicago Zoological Society Life Trustee, of Barrington; and Cherryl Thomas, Chicago Zoological Society Board Chair, of Chicago
Barrington residents Betsy Bramsen, Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair, and Jim Bramsen, Chicago Zoological Society Life Trustee, with one of Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors
Julie Christopher of Chicago and Doris Christopher, Chicago Zoological Society governing member ambassador, of Hinsdale
Hinsdale residents John Grube, Chicago Zoological Society immediate past Chair and Vice Chair, with Ann Grube, Chicago Zoological Society founding Women’s Board member, with one of Brookfield Zoo’s animal ambassadors
Hinsdale residents Florence Ann Romano and Benita Romano, Chicago Zoological Society Trustee
Inverness residents Katrina Dee; Melissa Canning, Chicago Zoological Society’s 2022 Whirl Co-Chair and member of the Society’s Women’s Board; and Amanda McCaskey
Diane Dygert, Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board member, and Bob Conrardy, Chicago Zoological Society governing member ambassador, of River Forest
Chicago Zoological Society Women’s Board members Erin Brown-Carter of Batavia, Rashada Hamlin of Elgin, and Katie Feagans of Batavia
Cherryl Thomas, Chicago Zoological Society’s Board Chair, and Jamil Bou-Saab of Chicago
