As the Director of Hoofed Mammals Care and Conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Nancy Kauffman looks after the strategic management, welfare, and development of a complex group of animals. She leads a team of animal care specialists and closely monitors the wellbeing of over 20 species, from camels to zebras. Alongside over 15 years of experience at accredited zoos, she brings energy to the team and is excited about encouraging the next generation of conservationists to fight for the environment.

Kauffman specializes in animal welfare, behavioral management, enrichment design, transport logistics, large-mammal program leadership, and more. Before joining Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 2025, she worked at North Carolina Zoo, where she was a leader in elephant care, among many other species. In 2019, she worked with the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand to establish stronger welfare standards for Thai zoos. You can even spot her in action in episodes of National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” and ABC’s “The Wildlife Docs.”

Kauffman is also an Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) trainer. She has a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Wildlife Management with a major in Animal Biotechnology and Conservation from Delaware Valley University