Full Conference Schedule

Advancement Committee

African-Eurasian Monkey TAG

Ambassador Animal SAG (Executive Session 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Animal Care Manual Working Group (Executive Session)

Animal Health Committee

Animal Population Management (APM) Committee (Executive Session)

Animal Welfare Committee

Aquarium Affairs Committee

Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) Steering Committee (Executive Session 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm)

Aquatic Collection Sustainability Committee

AZA-FRTRP Program - Looking Back, Meeting Goals Today, and Planning the Future

Behavior SAG (Executive Session 8:00 am - 10:00 am)

Business Operations Committee

California Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) (Executive Session)

Canid and Hyenid TAG

Cheetah SSP

Conservation Education Committee (Executive Session 8:30 am - 10:30 am)

Development and Membership Roundtables - led by the Advancement Committee

Diversity Committee

DEAI Roundtable - led by the Diversity Committee

Diversity Committee: Regional Communities of Practice (RCP) (Executive Session 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)

Effective Leadership Course Planning (Executive Session)

Ethics Board (Executive Session)

Felid TAG

Government Affairs Committee

Green SAG (Executive Session 9:00 am - 2:00 pm)

Herp TAGs (Amphibian, Chelonian, Crocodilian, Lizard, & Snake)

Honors and Awards Committee (Executive Session)

Human Resources Committee (Executive Session 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

Joint People Committees

Joint Public Relations & Marketing Committee Meeting

Marine Mammal TAG

Marine Fishes TAG

Marine Mammal TAG (Executive Session)

Marketing Committee

Empathy for Wildlife Network

AZA Membership Committee

New World Primate TAG

North American River Otter SSP Planning

Ocelot SSP & SAFE Planning Meeting

Pangolin, Aardvark, Xenarthra TAG (Executive Session 9:30 am - 10:30 am)

Professional Development Committee (Executive Session 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

Prosimian TAG

Public Relations Committee (Executive Session 11:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Research and Technology Committee (Executive Session 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Rodent, Insectivore, Lagomorph TAG (Executive Session 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm)

Safety Committee

Small Carnivore TAG (Executive Session 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Small Population Management Advisory Group (SPMAG)

Social Science Research and Evaluation SAG (Executive Session 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm)

Trends Committee

Volunteer & Intern Engagement Bootcamp

Volunteer Management Committee (Executive Session)

Wildlife Conservation Committee (Executive Session 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm)

Wildlife Trafficking Alliance

Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG)

Generic and Masai Giraffe SSP

Coastal Ecosystems Learning Centers (CELC) Network Meeting

Education Advisors - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Meet the Accreditation Commission: Facilities and Inspectors - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Marine Fishes TAG - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Social Science Research and Evaluation SAG - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Aquatic Collection Sustainability Committee - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

FrogWatch USA Coordinators - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

Animal Health Committee - Exhibit Hall Roundtable

SAFE Orangutan

SAFE Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea

SAFE Maned Wolf

SAFE Sea Turtle

Caring for the Confiscated: SAFE American Turtle, Vaquita and Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea

Sharing Habitats: People and Large Mammals: SAFE Andean Bear and Asian Elephant

SAFE Cheetah

SAFE Program Leaders (Invite Only)

SAFE Black-Footed Ferret

Mammals Across Africa: SAFE African Painted Dog, Chimpanzee, Giraffe, and Gorilla

Polar Bear SSP/SAFE Coordination Meeting

SAFE Andean Bear (Executive Session 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm)

Animal Program Updates

SAFE Sloth Bear

First Time Attendees Meeting

SAFE African Lion

SAFE Chinchilla

SAFE Coral

SAFE Shark and Ray

SAFE Seascapes (Executive Session 11:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Project Dragonfly, Miami University

SAFE Asian Hornbill

SAFE North American Monarch

TAG Chairs

SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo

SAFE Bison Interest Meeting

Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session)

Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session)

Accreditation Hearings (Executive Session)

Executive Leadership Development Program (Invite Only)

AZA Board of Directors

(Re) Defining Conservation Learning: Developing Core Competencies for AZA Education Professionals

Speaker(s):

Dr. Kathayoon Khalil, Associate Vice President, Conservation Learning, New England Aquarium

Translating Core Competencies From Partner Fields Dr. Joy Kubarek, Founder, Inform Evaluation and Research

Why Core Competencies? Dr. Kathayoon Khalil, Associate Vice President, Conservation Learning, New England Aquarium

Core, Huh? Good God Y’all! What’re They Even Good For? Dr. Jim Wharton, Director of Conservation Engagement and Learning, Seattle Aquarium

Panelists Rachael Bashor, VP of Mission Engagement and Director of Education, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Elise Bernardoni, Director of Engagement, Canopy Strategic Partners

60 x 60: 60 Earned Revenue Ideas in 60 Minutes

Speaker(s):

Jessica Van Dyke, VP Partnership Developement, Event Network

Panelists Jessica Van Dyke, VP Partnership Developement, Event Network Laura Rieder, Director of Marketing & Advertising, Woodland Park Zoo Kelly Imrisek, Director, Growth, Sodexo Live! Beth Chee, Marketing Director, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Eric Donovan, COO, Elmwood Park Zoo Cara Treadway, VP Mission, Guest & Community Engagement, Philadelphia Zoo

A Guide to Pride: Cultivating Our Community

Speaker(s):

Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs, Los Angeles Zoo

Discovering Our Resiliency and Co-Conspiring With the Community Sean den Bok, Chief of Education and Engagement, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Preparing your Teams for PRIDE Annie DeGrood, Access for All Manager, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Assemble Your Pride & Celebrate PRIDE Alex Rodriguez, Manager of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion - Human Resources, San Antonio Zoological Society

Connecting Value to Business and Brand Anacron Allen, NightLife Brand Manager, California Academy of Sciences

Community Coordination Increases Capacity for PRIDE Abbi Robocker, Conservation Engagement Interpretive Lead/ Equity Team Chair, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Acknowledgement and Recognition - A Team Effort

Speaker(s):

Stacey Luhring, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Panelists Shelley Orloski, CVA, Career Pathways Manager, Akron Zoo Chris Eckles, Chief Engagement Officer, Blank Park Zoo Allison Schwartz, Director of Volunteer Programs, The Maryland Zoo

Advancing IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Sustainability) in Retail and Food Services Offerings & Revenue Implications

Speaker(s):

Jane Casanta, VP, Partnership Development, Event Network

Panelists Andrew Fischer, Vice President of Sustainability & Conservation, SSA Group Judy Rancour, ZAG Board President & Director of Retail Operations, Saint Louis Zoo

Advancing Missions Through Strategic Alignment of Financial Investments

Speaker(s):

Gary Gordon, CFO, John G. Shedd Aquarium

Panelists Charlie Wright, CFO, Denver Zoo John Mandelman, VP and Chief Scientist, New England Aquarium Gary Gordon, CFO, John G. Shedd Aquarium

After Dark: Promoting 24/7 Animal Welfare

Speaker(s):

Dr. Kylen Gartland, Manager of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Detroit Zoological Society

Optimal Animal Wellbeing in Zoos and Aquariums During off Hours Dr. Sabrina Brando, Director, AnimalConcepts

Maned Wolves: Crepuscular or Nocturnal? Dr. Cathleen Cox, Director of Research, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

To Swim or Not to Swim: Discovery of Penguin Nighttime Swimming During 24/7 Monitoring Dr. Shannon O'Brien, Animal Welfare Scientist, Lincoln Park Zoo

Animal Care After Dark: Understanding the Needs of Nocturnal Species Dr. Austin Leeds, Research Manager, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Evaluating the Effects of Daytime Behaviors on Nighttime Activity Budgets of a Zoo-Housed Herd of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Cassidy Hubbard, Master's Student, North Carolina Zoo, North Carolina State University

Safari Lights: How Our Nighttime Events Effect the Rest and Activity of Our Animals Kimberly Leser, Behavioral Husbandry and Welfare Manager, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Every Hour Counts: Examining the Impact of Night Staff on Animal Welfare Dr. Kylen Gartland, Manager of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Detroit Zoological Society

Animal Transport Post COVID Restrictions: Is Your Shipping Team on the Same Page?

Speaker(s):

Rachél Watkins Rogers, Registrar, Permit and Logistics Specialist, Zoological Consultant / Course Instructor

Animal Transport and USDA Contingency Rule Compliance Dr. Don Moore, Network Partner, EcoLeaders

The Process of Becoming an Approved Breeding Establishment by the EU Jacob Kraemer, Director, Pinola Aviary

CITES and Wildlife Transport Frank Kohn, CITES Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The Lost Art of Transport Document Management Rachél Watkins Rogers, Registrar, Permit and Logistics Specialist, Zoological Consultant / Course Instructor

The Veterinarian’s Role In Animal Transfers Dr. Priya Bapodra, Senior Veterinarian, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Animal's Fitness for Purpose of Transfer Dr. Copper Aitken-Palmer, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Chicago Zoological Society / Brookfield Zoo

Noise – How it Plays into a Sound Shipment Gretchen Bickert, Instructor, Sound Healing Academy International

Contingency Planning for Transport Ashley Zielinski, Director, Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership, Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Veterinarians Working Within the Airline Industry Dr. Nelva Bryant, Consulting Veterinarian, Delta Air Lines | Cargo Operations

Animal Movement Before, During, and After Disaster Julia Wagner, Executive Director, Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)

Ground Transportation: Providing Increased Welfare for Your Animals When They Hit the Road Brittany Rizzo, Owner, Veterinarian, Wild Ride Animal Transport LLC

Aquarium Institutional Collection Planning - Let’s Talk About It

Speaker(s):

Dr. Leigh Clayton, Director, Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium

Panelists Barbara Bailey, Curator of Fishes, New England Aquarium Ashleigh Clews, Curator, National Aquarium Kevin Curlee, Assistant Animal Operations Manager, Disney's The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Aquariums and Zoos: Gateway to America the Beautiful

Speaker(s):

Kristina Trotta, Deputy Director, Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Panelists Ayana Melvan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mystic Aquarium Dr. Dayne Buddo, Director of Global Ocean Policy, Georgia Aquarium Matt Stout, Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Michelle Burt, Management and Program Analyst, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Be a Resource: Reimagine What Conservation Education Can Be In Your Community

Speaker(s):

Margaret Holtschlag, Director of the BIG Lesson Programs, Potter Park Zoo

Access and Capacity: Big Partnerships, Big Changes Elizabeth Davis, Education Program Manager, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Community Partnerships: Leveraging the Power of EE Organizations to Grow Environmental Scholars Rhiannon Mulligan, Education Manager, John Ball Zoo

Inspiring Conservation Champions Jessee Wise, Conservation Education Program Coordinator, Calgary Zoo

To Be It, You MUST See It: Innovative Education Programs That Empower Under-Included and Under-Resourced Teachers and Students as Urban Ecologists June Teisan, Teacher Professional Learning Manager, Belle Isle Conservancy

Innovation in Education Andrew Walker, Manager, Learning/Innovation & Impact, National Aquarium

Beastly Balls, Galas & More: Creatively Engaging Donors & Maximizing Revenue

Speaker(s):

Dr. Janet Dial, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA)

Showing Donors Your Value Through a Donor-Centric Events Program Rachel Ripps, Development Officer, Museum of Life and Science

Panelists Laura Knollenberg, Director of Special Events, Zoological Society of Milwaukee Neil Batiancila, Chief Development Officer, Philadelphia Zoo Ryan Ashton, Vice President for Advancement, Aquarium of the Pacific

Best of Marketing - Rapid Fire

Speaker(s):

Greg Heanue, Chief Marketing Officer, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Big Vision, Best Practice, Transformational Gifts, and Unfailing Adaptability: A Deep Dive into the Anatomy of a Resilient Campaign

Speaker(s):

Kim Sterling, Founder, Sterling

Panelists Lee Ehmke, President & CEO, Houston Zoo, Inc. Nicholas Espinosa, Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Houston Zoo, Inc. Jillian Day, Director of Development, Houston Zoo, Inc. Audra Jesudason, Senior Director, Development and Special Projects, Houston Zoo, Inc.

Brand Matters to Your Mission

Speaker(s):

Krista Swan, Director of Marketing, Oregon Zoo

Celebrate & Elevate: Planning for Cultural & Identity Based Engagements

Speaker(s):

Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs, Los Angeles Zoo

It’s Worth the Trolls: The Power and Pitfalls of Social Media in Advancing DEAI Goals Hannah Tulloch, Digital Media Coordinator, North Carolina Zoo

Celebrating and Welcoming through Community Days Darcie Larson, Senior Manager, Community Engagement, Seattle Aquarium

Where To Begin? Annie DeGrood, Access for All Manager, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Co-creating with Community Partners: A Beloved Pets Ofrenda Rosalio Rubio, Curator of Education, Los Angeles Zoo

Seeing YOU at the ZOO Rory James, Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion, Saint Louis Zoo

Coming Together Through Cultural Festivals Marilyn Padilla, Director of Public Relations, Aquarium of the Pacific

The 3 Keys: Celebratory, Educational, & Sustainable Alex Rodriguez, Manager of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion - Human Resources, San Antonio Zoological Society

Work Where You Belong Stephanie Gonzalez, Education Programs Coordinator, Houston Zoo, Inc.

It Began With a Conversation Lindsay Mathison, Human Resources Manager, Brevard Zoo

Challenges and Solutions to Collaborative Conservation Efforts: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Speaker(s):

Averee Luhrs, PhD Candidate, University of Texas at San Antonio

Co-Designing Conservation With (not for) Communities Dr. Kayla Cranston, Director of Co-design Science & Innovation, Antioch University New England

Community-based Conservation in Detroit Zoo’s Conservation Programs: Case Studies From Peru and Detroit Dr. Shafkat Khan, Director of Conservation, Detroit Zoological Society

Conservation Beyond the Gates: Using Collaboration To Support Local Urban Conservation Dr. Kevin Matteson, Associate Director, Master's Programs / Project Dragonfly, Miami University

Collaborative Conservation in Papua New Guinea Through the Tree Kangaroo Safe and SSP Endorsed Field Program Dr. Lisa Dabek, Senior Conservation Scientist and Senior Director, Woodland Park Zoo

Now What? Lessons Learned & Take Home Tips Jennifer Torpie, PhD Candidate, University of Texas at San Antonio

Collaborate, Activate and Empower: Overcoming Barriers to Bringing Advocacy Opportunities to Zoo and Aquarium Guests

Speaker(s):

Taylor Engelsman, Assoc. Director, Content & Evaluation, New England Aquarium

Of the People, by the People, for the People Kim McIntyre, Executive Director, Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Nevertheless, They Persisted Andrea Caldwell, Director, Government Affairs, San Diego Zoo

No Regerts Dani Hogan, Director of Mission Integration, Philadelphia Zoo

I Think I Can, I Think I Can Rose Slick, Director of Guest Engagement, National Aquarium

Let’s Get Digital, Digital Taylor Engelsman, Assoc. Director, Content & Evaluation, New England Aquarium

If You Want To Go Far, Go Together Dr. Erin Meyer, Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships, Seattle Aquarium

Connecting Conservation Education to the Global Biodiversity Framework

Speaker(s):

Michelle Kolar, Director of Education, Indianapolis Zoo

How SAFE Shark and Ray is Addressing the Biodiversity Crisis Windy Arey Kent, Conservation Coordinator, SAFE Shark and Ray

Conservation Education with a Global Focus Dr. Sarah Thomas, Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement, Auckland Zoo

How External Partnerships Connect to Biodiversity Conservation Justin Birkhoff, Mammal Conservation Coordinator, Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo

Conservation Connections to Educational Experiences Michelle Kolar, Director of Education, Indianapolis Zoo

Creating Profitable Sales at the Intersection of Retail Space Allocation, Visual Impact and the Mission of Your Institution

Speaker(s):

David Whitaker, Director of Retail Operations, North Carolina Zoological Park

Telling the Story To Connect the Visitor With Your Mission Rose Domas, Retail Buyer, Wildlife Conservation Society

Supporting Sustainability Through Product Options Samantha Halligan, Director of Guest Experience, Lake Superior Zoo

Creating the Perfect Store Layout Tommy Brown, Visual Manager, Saint Louis Zoo

Gifts That Giveback Judy Rancour, ZAG Board President & Director of Retail Operations, Saint Louis Zoo

Creating The Perfect Partnership Between Businesses and Your Zoo or Aquarium

Speaker(s):

Pamela Holtz, Sr. Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer, Akron Zoological Park

Growing An Opportunity into a Creative Partnership and How Two Penguins Became Stars Elaine Mah Best, Vice President of Community Relations, Santa Barbara Zoo

It’s Time to Build and Launch a Corporate Membership Program Sara Peters-Fox, Membership Manager, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Corporate Sponsorships and Donations - An Accounting Perspective Mellissa Reed, Chief Business Officer & SVP, Akron Zoological Park

Cultivation and Stewardship of Corporate Foundations Amy Lazoff, Director of Philanthropy & Community Relations, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

And There's More! Creative Ways to Engage (and NOT engage) with Companies Pamela Holtz, Sr. Vice President & Chief External Affairs Officer, Akron Zoological Park

Building a Comprehensive Business Membership Program: A Gateway to Drive Revenue Across Departments Disha Dewan, Director of Development, Museum of Life and Science

Designed With Behavior in Mind: Integrating Behavior Change and Conservation To Achieve Meaningful and Sustained Outcomes for Oceans and Marine Life

Speaker(s):

Rachel Smith, Conservation Programs Mgr, Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment

Prioritizing Social Change for Conservation – A Global Call to Action To Drive Transformative Outcomes That Benefit People and Nature Dr. Sarah Thomas, Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement, Auckland Zoo

Discussion - Design of Behavior Change Initiatives Dr. Kelley Anderson, Senior Research Associate, Virginia Tech Roderic Mast, President and CEO, Oceanic Society

Exploring Diverse Pathways to Behavior Change Dr. Lily Maynard, Director of Global Conservation, Cincinnati Zoo

Diverse Partnerships for Aquatic Species Recovery

Speaker(s):

Riley Pollom, Species Recovery Program Coordinator, Seattle Aquarium

Sunflower Sea Stars in the Northeast Pacific Jenifer Burney, Senior Aquarist, Aquarium of the Pacific Ashley Kidd, Conservation Aquaculture Project Manager, Sunflower Star Laboratory

Rio Grande Silvery Minnows in New Mexico Tim Lyons, Interim Director of Conservation, New Mexico BioPark Society

Pinto Abalone in Puget Sound Kathryn Kegel, Associate Curator, Seattle Aquarium Josh Bouma, Shellfish Biologist & Program Director, Puget Sound Restoration Fund

Zebra Sharks in Raja Ampat: The StAR Project Julia Tapilatu, Aquarist and Masters Candidate, Raja Ampat Research & Conservation Centre/Texas A&M University Dr. Erin Meyer, Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships, Seattle Aquarium

Mussels in Minnesota Ben Minerich, Mussel Conservation Specialist, Minnesota Zoo

DIY Leadership Development: The Good, The Bad, and The What Were We Thinking!

Speaker(s):

Dr. Taylor Gilley, Staff Learning & Development Manager, Houston Zoo, Inc.

Want To Create a High Performing Team? Hold Off on Setting Expectations Mike Murray, Vice President of Life Sciences, Detroit Zoo

Adding a Career & Life Coach Changed Everything Stacey Graham, Director of EdVenture and Career Development, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Laying the Foundation: The Building Blocks of a Leadership Program Laura Davis, Director of Strategy and Organizational Development, John Ball Zoo

Warp Speed: Life, Leadership, and The Pursuit of Development Kasey Neth, Senior Manager of Human Resources, The Florida Aquarium

Beyond the Programs, Structures, and Systems: How to Support Leaders When It Really Counts Julie Henry, Partner, Pathways Collaborative, Pathways Collaborative

Drilling for Preparedness - Examples of How To Plan, Execute, and Learn From Successful Drills

Speaker(s):

Maria Gallegos, Director Health, Safety and Security, Houston Zoo, Inc.

Animal Escape Drill Anne Knapp, Director Animal Resources, Zoo New England

Dive Drill Nate Fague, Sr. Director of Safety and Security, Mystic Aquarium

Medical Emergency Drill Betsy Hall, Vice President for Guest Experiences, Museum of Life + Science

Drills at a Small Zoo Ken Frye, Director, Scovill Zoo

Animal Escape Drill at a Small Zoo With PD as Your Primary Responder Amber Acord, Senior Facilities & Grounds Manager, Akron Zoo

Envenomation Emergency Drill Lynn Cox, Occupational Health & Safety Manager, Detroit Zoological Society

Wildland Fire Drill at a Medium Sized Zoo Dave Ruhl, Vice President of Operations and Campus Planning, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Weather Emergency Drill Maria Gallegos, Director Health, Safety and Security, Houston Zoo, Inc.

Elevate Your Programs: Taking Your Volunteer Opportunities to the Next Level

Speaker(s):

Judi Harrington, Volunteer Coordinator, Houston Zoo, Inc.

Crafting Connections: Fun for the Whole Family Tierney Ball, Director of Education, Zoo Boise

Harnessing Youth Volunteers Erica Carnes, Volunteer and Conservation Engagement Manager, Blank Park Zoo McKenzie Miller, Senior Education Specialist, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Creating a New Ambassador Identity Brittany Garera-Stapleton, Volunteer Coordinator, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Docents, What's in a Name? Bricken Sparacino, Director of Learning, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Diving into a Mentorship Program Chris Tomlinson, Marine Operations Manager, Dive Operations, The Florida Aquarium

Zoo in Your Neighborhood Mariah Martinez, Community Engagement & Inclusion Specialist, Potter Park Zoological Gardens

Embracing Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion (DEAI) in Public-Facing Physical Spaces: Best Practices for Aquariums and Zoos

Speaker(s):

Jessica Tantin, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, New England Aquarium

Panelists Craig Saffoe, Curator - Large Carnivores, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Karama BlackHorn, Sr. Equity Initiatives Program Manager, Seattle Aquarium Mara-Lynne Payne, Director of Inclusion, Equity & Diversity, Tennessee Aquarium

The Secret Sauce of Successful Leadership: How Emotional Intelligence has Helped Develop Us as Leaders

Speaker(s):

Mellissa Reed, Chief Business Officer & SVP, Akron Zoological Park

Imposter Syndrome & Psychological Safety

Speaker(s):

Utpal Passi, Deputy Director, Oregon Zoo

Exploring Empathy for Wildlife and Staff (It’s Not Just for Education)

Speaker(s):

Dr. Marta Burnet, Director of Advancing Empathy, Woodland Park Zoo

One Size Does Not Fit All: How Encouraging Empathy Requires Empathy for Everyone Austin Reich, Interpretation Coordinator, Zoo Boise

Empathy Buy-in for Adult Volunteers Kelsey Raffel, Public Engagement Coordinator, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Integrating Empathy Daniel Rother, Director Guest and Volunteer Engagement, Woodland Park Zoo

Fostering Empathy for Ourselves and Each Other Autumn Russell, Senior Director of Communication and Education, Akron Zoo

Reflective Practices in Programming & Beyond Sarah Bowser, Programs Manager, Education Ambassador Animals, Conservation Society of California, Oakland Zoo

Exploring the Role of Intersectionality in Advancing DEAI

Speaker(s):

Lori Perkins, Vice President, Canopy Strategic Partners

Intersectionality is Fluid Tiffaney McClendon, Staff Learning & Inclusion Manager, Birmingham Zoo, Inc.

Learning, Unlearning, & Relearning to Advance DEAI Dr. De'Andrea Matthews, Vice President of Diversity and Community Engagement, Detroit Zoological Society

Leveraging Intersectionality to Build Bridges Sean DenBok, Chief of Education and Engagement, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Using Intersectionality to Recognize Privilege, Eliminate Bias, and Advance DEAI Dr. Sarena Gill, Learning & Engagement Program Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Making the DEAI and Intersectionality Mindset Accessible for Everyone Indie Lewis, Capacity Building and Training Lead, White Oak Conservation

Our Connected Intersectionality Jess Kohring, Director of Equity Programs, Los Angeles Zoo

Feed Sustainable: Increasing Our Impact and Taking Collective Action to Source Sustainable Aquatic Animal Feed

Speaker(s):

Windy Arey Kent, Conservation Coordinator, SAFE Shark and Ray

The Time is Now! Windy Arey Kent, Conservation Coordinator, SAFE Shark and Ray

Case Study: What Defines Sustainable Feed and How Do We Achieve It? Dr. Erin Meyer, Vice President of Conservation Programs and Partnerships, Seattle Aquarium

Results and Assessment of the Sustainable Aquatic Feed Survey Bianca Santos, Aquarium Conservation Fellow, Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Animal Nutrition and Feed Industry Perspectives Mike Maslanka, Head, Department of Nutrition, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Making the "Business Case" for Switching to Sustainable Feed Kim McIntyre, Executive Director, Aquarium Conservation Partnership

Reviewing Sustainability Criteria which Dictate Fish Sourcing Talley Hite, Seafood Watch Outreach Partnership Lead, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Finding Elegant Solutions to Sticky Conversations and Situations

Speaker(s):

Bricken Sparacino, Director of Learning, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Panelists James Bluher, Volunteer Services Manager, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Becky Thompson, Director of Engagement, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Samantha Junker, Director, Guest Engagement and Volunteers, Houston Zoo, Inc.

From Climate Change to Policy Change: Can AZA Institutions Influence Public Support for Climate Policy?

Speaker(s):

Stephanie Joseph, Curator of Education, New York Aquarium

IMPACT: Inspiring Marine Protection and Careers for Teens Stephanie Joseph, Curator of Education, New York Aquarium

Building Climate Literacy with Teachers Andrea Stein, Manager of School Programs, Roger Williams Park Zoo

Climate Change Interpretation Staci Wong, Interpretation Manager, Aquarium of the Pacific

Offshore Wind and Guest Engagement Megan Anderson, VP of Learning and Engagement, National Aquarium

Temperamental Teens or Passionate Planet Protectors? Brandon Good, Manager of Curriculum Development and Implementation, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Sustainable Practices = Sustainable Us Debbi Stone, Sr. VP of Engagement and Learning, The Florida Aquarium

From Invitation to Inclusion: Moving Our Aquariums and Zoos Towards Access and Inclusion for Autistic Staff, Interns, Volunteers, and Visitors

Speaker(s):

Kari Hart, Director of Professional Development & Education, Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Panelists Lauren Weaver, Director of Community Engagement, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD Bill Green, Hart Prins Fund Accessibility & Inclusion Manager, Lincoln Park Zoo Alexander Jones, Learning Accessibility Specialist, Learning & Innovation, Woodland Park Zoo Grayson Ponti, Conservation Interpreter, Dallas Zoo Kelly Matis, VP Education & Conservation, Mystic Aquarium Zachary Williams, MD/Ph.D. Candidate in Neuroscience and Hearing & Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Dr. Kelly Riedinger, Senior Research & Program Lead in Informal, K-12 and Connected Learning, Oregon State University, STEM Research Center Dr. Kylen Gartland, Manager of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Detroit Zoological Society

Getting Ahead of a Crisis – Building Confidence With the Public Before (And When) Everything Hits the Fan

Speaker(s):

Paige Hale, Senior Manager of Communications, Georgia Aquarium

Lisa the African Elephant’s Health and Care Journey Isabella Linares, Marketing Manager, Oakland Zoo

Navigating Social Media "Trolls" Ro Rode, Digital Marketing Manager, Museum of Life + Science

Dallas Zoo Break-Ins Kari Streiber, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Dallas Zoo

Guest Technology INSIDE the Park: New Ways to Connect with Wildlife

Speaker(s):

Greg Heanue, Chief Marketing Officer, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Engaging Zoo and Aquarium Guests with In-park TV Screens and Apps Eli Chmouni, Director, Spotlight

Using In-Park Technology to Tell Stories Better Sarah Werner, Manager, Interpretive Programs, John G. Shedd Aquarium

Leveraging New Tech to Streamline Guest Entry and Transactions Hope Roth, VP Marketing, Communication, Sales, San Antonio Zoological Society

Panelists Rob Lara, Interactive Programs Manager, Zoo Miami Jason Keller, Growth Ventures, SSA Group Kevin Vignault, CEO, SmartParks

Hands Off or Hands On? A Look Into the Changing Practices of Volunteer Animal Handling Programs Since COVID

Speaker(s):

Allison Schwartz, Director of Volunteer Programs, The Maryland Zoo

Adapting for Animal Welfare: Evolving Practices in Volunteer Animal Handling Patricia Villers, Connections Manager, Akron Zoological Park

Using a Multi-dimensional Approach to Maintain High Standards for Volunteer Handlers Brittany Caldwell, Education Specialist, Reid Park Zoo

Incorporating Animal Well-being into Ambassador Animal Programs with both Volunteers and Keepers Ronnie Kerestus, Curator, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Moving on Up: Using Covid as a Catalyst for Positive Change in an Animal Handling Docent Program Heather Merewood, Conservation Education Manager, Henry Vilas Zoo

Changes in Ambassador Animal Standards and Effects on Volunteer Animal Handling Jac Menish, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry, Nashville Zoo

The Path Forward: An Evolutional Approach to Ambassador Programs Shawn Brehob, Curator, Wild Encounters, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Herpetofauna Welfare: It’s Ribbeting!

Speaker(s):

Dr. Katherine Cronin, Director, Animal Welfare Science Program, Lincoln Park Zoo

Snakes Shed Their Skin for Auditory and Olfactory Stimuli Amity Jordan, Student, Oakland University

Safe but Complex: Providing Enriching Environments for Breeding Groups of Puerto Rican Crested Toads Dr. Austin Leeds, Research Manager, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Exploring the Effects of Enrichment and Lighting on Eastern Indigo Snake Welfare Dr. Emily Lynch, Associate Curator of Research, North Carolina Zoo

Hide and Seek: Examining Hide Preferences and Behavior Patterns of Reptiles Through 24-Hour Monitoring Natasha Wierzal, ZooMonitor Research Assistant, Lincoln Park Zoo

All the Small Things: Using Learning To Improve Snake Welfare Dr. Meredith Bashaw, Professor & Chair of Psychology, Franklin & Marshall College

Exhibit Design and Welfare of Crocodilians F. William Ziegler, Vice President, Aquarium & Zoo Resources, Inc

Year of the Dragon: Changes in Behavior and Space Use of Three Adult Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) Across Four Seasons in a Multi-Enclosure Habitat Design Aimee Little, Applied Animal Wellness and Research Officer, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

What’s Shaking? Reptile Responses to Major Construction Dr. Grace Fuller, Director of Animal Welfare, Detroit Zoological Society

Highlighting What’s Possible: Creative Solutions for Animal Care

Speaker(s):

Dr. Cathy Mingee, Associate Curator of Behavioral Management, North Carolina Zoo

Increasing Swimming Behavior in a Flock of African Penguins Through Exhibit Renovations Led by a Functional Assessment of Behavior Rick Hester, Curator of Behavior, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Amenable Antecedent Arrangements James Gentzel, Animal Program Specialist, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Leaping Lizards! Jumping Forward With Reptile Husbandry Training Tim Van Loan, Curator of Animal Well-being, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

A Case Study Applying Refined Training Procedures To Achieve a Voluntary Blood Draw In 24-Hours Nicole Mantz, Director, Hutchinson Zoo

Making Tech Work for You: Innovative Solutions for Animal Care Dr. Cathy Mingee, Associate Curator of Behavioral Management, North Carolina Zoo

Hitting a Wall? Let’s Hit the Books! Nicki Boyd, Curator of Applied Behavior, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Honoring Indigenous World Views

Speaker(s):

Dr. Gail Lash, Owner, Ursa International

Indigenous Representation in Zoo and Aquarium Place and Program Design: Weaving Indigenous Stories Into Zoo and Aquarium Designs Megan Nielsen Hegstad, AIA, NCARB, Sr Architect, Team Leader, BRPH Companies, Inc.

Indigenous Representation in Zoo and Aquarium Place and Program Design Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion Signature Artist Dan Friday, Artist, Friday Glass

Indigenous Representation in Zoo and Aquarium Place and Program Design: Indigenous Placemaking in the Built Environment and Fostering Relationships With Our Ocean Relatives Karama BlackHorn, Sr. Equity Initiatives Program Manager, Seattle Aquarium

The Role of Indigenous Relations in Zoos and Aquariums: Toronto Zoo and First Nations Jennifer Franks, Director, Indigenous Relations, Toronto Zoo

The Role of Indigenous Relations in Zoos and Aquariums: Auckland Zoo and Maori Dr. Sarah Thomas, Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement, Auckland Zoo

Dispelling Cultural Myths: Dispelling Cultural Myths Through Direct Wildlife Experience Celso Poot, PhD Candidate, Zoo Director, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

Field Conservation & Engagement With Local Indigenous Cultures: Consideration of Place-Attachment in Conservation of Indigenous Territories in the Pacific Islands Dr. Stacy Jupiter, PhD, Melanesia Regional Director, Wildlife Conservation Society

Field Conservation & Engagement With Local Indigenous Cultures: Indigenous-Led Community Conservation in Papua New Guinea Dr. Lisa Dabek, Senior Conservation Scientist and Senior Director, Woodland Park Zoo

How Collaborative Conservation Amplifies Impact

Speaker(s):

Nicolette Canzoneri, President, EnvARK Innovators

Choosing Feasible Behavioral Targets for Conservation Michelle Kolar, Director of Education, Indianapolis Zoo

Leveraging Staff to Amplify Conservation Impact Nicolette Canzoneri, President, EnvARK Innovators

Lessons Learned in Multi-Institutional Collaboration for Conservation Emily Bowling, Conservation Education Liaison, Saint Louis Zoo

Sustainable Wood Tool Procurement: A Toolkit for Zoos & Aquariums Corey Romberg, Training Manager, Orangutan SAFE Vice Chair, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Impacting Legislation. When Marketing and Government Affairs Work Together For Advocacy

Speaker(s):

Laura Rieder, Director of Marketing & Advertising, Woodland Park Zoo

Universal Imagery Dr. Vince Jeffries, VP of Communication and Education, Akron Zoo

Integrating Advocacy Into Social Media Shervin Hess, Conservation Manager- Oregon Zoo, Oregon Zoo

Relevancy of Zoos and Aquariums Kerston Swartz, Director of Government Affair & Advocacy, Woodland Park Zoo

Different Markets Have Different Triggers Laura Rieder, Director of Marketing & Advertising, Woodland Park Zoo

In Your Own Backyard: How to Use Flagship Species, Out-of-the-Box Partnerships, Research, and Habitat Restoration to Recover Threatened Species and Preserve Local Biodiversity

Speaker(s):

Peter Zahler, Director of Field Conservation, Zoo New England

Save What’s Around You: Habitat Restoration for Rare Turtles, Rare Plants, Rare Pollinators, and Local Communities Emilie Wilder, Associate Director of Conservation Engagement, Zoo New England

Boots on the Ground, Hands in the Mud: Restoring a Threatened Population of Blanding’s Turtles in Suburbia Cara McElroy, Research Associate, Zoo New England

HATCH: Schools as Conservation Partners in Headstarting Emilie Wilder, Associate Director of Conservation Engagement, Zoo New England

AZA SAFE American Turtles Program: Knitting Together Local Field Initiatives with Global Conservation Efforts David Collins, AZA SAFE American Turtle Program Leader, Turtle Survival Alliance

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – Resilient Planning, Resources, and Guidance for All AZA Facilities

Speaker(s):

Andrew Fischer, Vice President of Sustainability & Conservation, SSA Group

Panelists Bill Street, Director of the Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo and Aquarium Roberta Washburn, Solar Operations Manager, Amicus Solar Cooperative - Kokosing Solar Rebecca Snyder, Senior Director of Conservation, Education, and Science, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Kim McIntyre, Executive Director, Aquarium Conservation Partnership Stephenie Ritchey, Director of Sustainability, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Daniel Lawse, Principal & Chief Century Thinker, Verdis Group

Innovative Interpretation: Creating a Culture of Interpretation and Engagement

Speaker(s):

Dr. Sarena Gill, Learning & Engagement Program Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Using Innovative Interpretation to Reach and Improve the Experiences of All Guests Dr. Beth Folta, Curator of Education, North Carolina Zoo

Using Innovative Interpretation in Staff Training and Guest Engagement through Technology Jocelyn Harrison, Lead Education Manager - Visitor & Volunteer Engagement, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Using Innovative Interpretation to Engage Community through Storytelling Dr. Christina Cid, Director of Strategic Projects, High Desert Museum

Using Innovative Interpretation for Engaging Guests Rob Lara, Interactive Programs Manager, Zoo Miami

Creating a Foundation of Interpretation to Embed it Within Our Work Dr. Sarena Randall Gill, Learning & Engagement Program Manager, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Ins and Outs of Accreditation

Speaker(s):

Denny Lewis, Sr. Vice President, Accreditation, Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Panelists Dr. Mike Murray, Director of Veterinary Services, Monterey Bay Aquarium Craig Piper, Director of City Zoos, Wildlife Conservation Society Amos Morris, Director, Milwaukee County Zoo Dr. Jeff Wyatt, Chair and Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Rochester Dr. Brandie Smith, Director, Smithsonian National Zoo Pat Simmons, Director/CEO, North Carolina Zoo