Women's Board

A blue-grey tanager sits on a branch, its feathers a dark blue compared to its grey body.

A crucial part of the Zoo's fundraising, outreach, and conservation efforts

The Women’s Board of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is a dedicated group of civic-minded women who work to support the zoo's mission of connecting people with wildlife and nature.

History

Founded in 1981 with the inaugural fundraising gala, the Whirl, the Women’s Board officially became an organization in 1992. It has grown to include over 70 members from Chicago and surrounding areas, all united by a commitment to animal care, education, and conservation.

Impact

The Women’s Board generates funds through:

  • Various Events like Whirl Gala (see more below)

  • Smaller fundraising events and engagements throughout the year

  • Individual donations

2025 Programs Supported

  • Adult Volunteer Program

  • Female Strong

  • Zoo Camp Scholarships

  • Great Bear Wilderness Enhancement

  • Large Animal Response Team Technical Rescue Gear

  • Monitoring Infrastructure to Support Polar Bear Denning & Cub Rearing

  • Pangolin Monitoring Enhancement

  • Pangolin Substrate Enhancement

  • Reptile & Amphibian Habitats at Tropic World

  • Sloth Discovery Zone

  • Comparative Analysis of Adrenal Activity in the Wild and Professionally Managed Dolphins

  • Expanding Wildlife Health Training in Kenya

  • Fostering International Expertise in Cetacean Photo-Identification

  • The Importance of Early-Life Social Connectivity for Adult Reproductive Success in Male Bottlenose Dolphins

2024 Programs Supported

  • 4th International Symposium on Zoo Animal Welfare

  • Advancing Wildlife Medicine and Care in Kenya through Training and Development of Veterinary and Animal Care Staff

  • Dolphin Adolescence and the importance of juvenile social connectivity (SDRP)

  • Hamill Family Play Zoo Small Exhibits

  • Moon Jellyfish habitat expansion, breeding, and guest experience

  • North American Songbird SAFE

  • Professional Learning & K-12 Academics: Teaching Safari

  • Projects Supporting Avian and Wildlife Health in Cook County

  • Reptile Multi-Home Unit Enclosures

  • Six Degrees of Conservation

  • Technical Animal Rescue Training for Brookfield Zoo Chicago

  • Volunteer Program Engagement

2023 Programs Supported

  • Avian Wildlife Health in Cook County

  • Cameras for Behavioral Monitoring of Sihek Guam kingfishers

  • Conservation Training at the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

  • EnrichTrak Research for Western lowland gorillas

  • Nutrition Research for pangolins

  • Refresh of the Hamill Family Play Zoo

  • Institute for Science Teaching Excellence – Teaching Safari

  • Volunteer Engagement Programming

Fundraising Events

The Women’s Board of Brookfield Zoo Chicago hosts a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to benefit the Zoo. We have something for everyone to enjoy!

A table is set with flowers and candles.

Whirl Gala

The Women’s Board signature event! More than 500 leaders from Chicago’s corporate and philanthropic communities gather at the Whirl, the premier and highly anticipated black-tie gala, which raises over $1.5 million dollars annually.

Four glasses of sangria

Wines in the Wild

Started in 2001, this is exceptional event is always a great time! The evening includes wine and spirit tastings, a silent auction, raffle, and other activities throughout the night.

Two children build gingerbread houses.

Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party

This event brings families together at the Zoo to build gingerbread houses, meet Santa, take photos with an Animal Ambassador, and eat a delicious brunch.

Women's Board Members

Active Members

  • Melissa Canning, President

  • Katie Feagans, First Vice-President

  • Shari Erwin, Second Vice-President

  • Dr. Shannon Nourbash, Secretary

  • Erin K. Brown-Carter, Treasurer

  • Pam Andrews

  • Gloria Aubin

  • Edith Bayran

  • Jennifer Bellini

  • Barbara Bradford

  • Elizabeth Bramsen*

  • Esther Bryan

  • Meg Buckner

  • Josie Croll

  • Shirley Daly

  • Janet Ezekiel

  • Sherry Featherstone

  • Patrice Feltes

  • Susan Frangella

  • Sasha Gerritson

  • Roxann Giovannini

  • Megan Guerrant

  • Melissa Haefner

  • Rashada Hamlin

  • Dr. Jennifer Harper

  • Melissa Heerboth

  • Alex Juriga

  • Stephanie Kangas

  • Sandy Kirk

  • Lori Lande

  • Romana Malinowski

  • Dawn Mallizzio

  • Carol Matthews

  • Danijela Neckrysh

  • Michele Needham

  • Tammy Olszewski

  • Morgan Olszewski-Dunham

  • Sarah Opler

  • Sally Prescott

  • Anne Recine

  • Michaelene Roark

  • Mimi Saltzman

  • Leigh Sasser

  • Elisa Templeton

  • Lauren Wilkie

  • Christy Willhite

*Founding Member

Honorary Members

  • Susan Ahern

  • Kathleen Amatangelo

  • Sandy Becky

  • Carter Brooksher*

  • Rosemarie Buntrock

  • Mary Cappelli

  • Edie Duckworth

  • Diane Dygert

  • Rosa Ebling

  • Barbara Feldman

  • Sarah Nava Garey

  • Ann Grube*

  • Kay Guyette

  • Jill Javors

  • Peggy Jester*

  • Linda Kissler*

  • Kay Krehbiel

  • Sandy Manne*

  • Pris Meyers*

  • Cathie Overmyer

  • Sally Porter*

  • TJ Rathi

  • Karen Reid*

  • Alice Young Sabl*​

  • Gretchen Trofa

*Founding Member

Supporting Members

  • Cookie Cohen*

  • Maria Daley

  • Jennifer Darnall

  • Maria Finitzo*

  • Joan Hanna

  • Seema Kathuria

  • Connie Keller*

  • Joanne Klonoski

  • Jane Mclagan

  • Lori Montana*

  • Sharon Murphy

  • Claudia Parrillo

  • Leslye Pinto

  • Louise Reighard*

  • Jane Rybak

  • Sarah Thompson

*Founding Member

Interested in Learning More?

To learn more about the fundraising events hosted at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, please contact Kerri Doherty. Women's Board Membership is by invitation only.

Kerri Doherty

kerri.doherty@brookfieldzoo.org
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