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NEW ZOO Welcome Back
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D DIVISION/ Dr. Rita Stacey Vondra!
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Join us in welcoming Dr. Rita Stacey Vondra back
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to the Zoo as the senior vice president of Programs & Impact,
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a and Education & Community Engagement (ECE). .
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Stacey Vondra’s long history with Brookfield Zoo Chicago
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began in 1990 when she was hired as an animal care specialist
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with Marine Mammals at Seven Seas. Over the years, she had
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other roles in Reptiles and Birds, The Swamp, and The Living Coast.
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Her favorite memories include her work with amazing animals,
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of Animal Programs in 2022. Most recently, she was the chief
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P President & CEO Dr. Michael Adkesson. “We have incredible
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people on our team and we have so much passion and expertise,”
p e o p l e o n o u r t e a m a n d w e h a v e s o m u c h p a s s i o n a n d e x p e r t i s e , ”
he said. But the animal care and the education components
h e s a i d . B u t t h e a n i m a l c a r e a n d t h e e d u c a t i o n c o m p o n e n t s
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are not always in lockstep with one another. “We’re getting Stacey Vondra and her team are also involved in the reimagining
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In her new role, Stacey Vondra will lead that effort, which learn about our programs and to learn from our experts in Education
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& Community Engagement,” said Stacey Vondra, who is well‑prepared
supports Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission to connect the public & C o m m u n it y E n g a g e m e n t , ” s a i d S t a c e y V o n d r a , w h o i s w e l l ‑ p r e p a r e d
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not only onsite, but offsite in our community,” she said. Stacey
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Her influence extends internationally. She is the cochair of the
For example, Programs & Impact recently launched Wildlife H e r i n fl u e n c e e x t e n d s i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y . S h e i s t h e c o c h a i r o f t h e
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and animals travel in a custom‑designed, climate‑controlled RV, , i is known and respected by her peers. We are thrilled to have her
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o u t fi t t e d w it h s p e c i a l f e a t u r e s f o r t h e a n i m a l s . back home at Brookfield Zoo Chicago! !
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