Associate Director of Wildlife Experiences Jennifer McGee oversees Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s guest programming with animals, connecting our visitors with charismatic species. Along with shaping guest experience, she maintains the highest animal welfare standards for the Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors. Her inclusive and creative team leadership has helped establish programming that inspires guests to care about species and habitats.

For nearly three decades, McGee has worked with a wide range of species at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She has previous management experience leading the marine mammal team for over 20 years and has supported animal welfare across a variety of animal departments. In her current role, she's used her expertise in animal behavior management to update and expand guest encounters with animals at Hamill Family Play Zoo and Hamill Family Wild Encounters.

McGee’s accomplishments are dynamic, from designing innovative animal training to supporting animal transports. For example, she's been influential in marine mammal care, publishing the first California sea lion studbook for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. She has a Master of Science in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Colby-Sawyer College.