Brilliant Horizons

Welcome to Brookfield Zoo’s Brilliant Horizons at the Hilton Chicago

By Megan McKinney

Brookfield Zoo Chicago celebrated ninety years with its forty-third annual Brookfield ZooWhirl, at the Hilton Chicago this spring. The 2024 Whirl, Brilliant Horizons, attended by 465 guests, was co-chaired by Katie Feagans, a member of the Women’s Board, and Jim Bryan for the Board of Trustees.

Following dinner served in the Hilton’s glorious Grand Ballroom—beautifully decorated for the evening by Phillip’s Florals — celebrants enjoyed dancing to the music of the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra. The later evening featured a paddle raise, raffle drawing, and a live auction led by Jonathan Kraft—raising a splendid $1.5 million for the zoo animals.

Guests dancing at the Whirl

Stars of the evening were 2024Whirl co-chairs—Katie Feagans, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board secretary, and Jim Bryan, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee.

Women’s Board first vice president Melissa Canning, with Katrina Dee, Helen Kalantzis, and Stephanie Ouellette

La Grange residents Randall Vickery, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee, and Charlene Vickery

Chicago residents Danijela Neckrysh, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board member, and Dr. Sergey Neckrysh

Jim Bryan, Whirl co-chair, and Esther Bryan, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board member.

North Barrington residents Bob Sherman and Barbara Bradford, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee

Whirl co-chair Katie Feagans and Josh Feagans

Dr. Adriane Adkesson, Dr. Michael J. Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, with Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board and Forest Preserves of Cook County president

Chicago residents Michael Recine and Anne Recine, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board member

Dr. Michael J. Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, with Whirl co-chairs Katie Feagans and Jim Bryan.

Stephanie Kangas, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board member, and Lauren Kangas, with Whirl co-chairs Jim Bryan and Katie Feagans

Benita Romano, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee, Christina Ryan, Florence Ann Romano, and Gabrielle Romano, with the man in back, A. J. Ryan of Chicago

Hinsdale residents Kelley Schueler, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee, and Doris Christopher, Brookfield Zoo Chicago governing member

Roxann Giovannini, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board member, and Sasha Gerritson, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee

Glenview residents Eugene Jarvis and Sasha Gerritson, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee

Cherryl Thomas, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Board of Trustees chair, Heidi Huizenga, Brookfield Zoo Chicago trustee, Doris Christopher, Brookfield Zoo Chicago governing member, and Dr. Michael J. Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Patrick Daly and Shirley Daly, Brookfield Zoo Chicago governing member, and Women’s Board member, with Dr. Meaghan Daly and Sean Daly

Melissa Canning, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board first vice president, Katie Feagans, Whirl co-chair and Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board secretary, Erin K. Brown-Carter, Brookfield Zoo Chicago Women’s Board treasurer, and Katrina Dee