Women’s Board

Founded in 1976 with a mission to provide funds and service to The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo has now grown to approximately 115 members. Members are civic, social, and business leaders from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

The Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo actively raises funds to keep the zoo free and support its capital, conservation, and education efforts. Members serve as ambassadors to the community, celebrating Chicago’s most treasured wildlife experience.

Annual Events

Zoo Ball

Zoo Ball, Lincoln Park Zoo’s largest fundraiser, draws more than 800 leaders in the business, civic, and philanthropy communities to the zoo for THE party of the summer. This elegant evening includes a cocktail hour, seated dinner, paddle raise, silent auction, and dancing.

Women Supporting Wildlife

The inaugural Women Supporting Wildlife event was held in 2019. The event features a prominent, dynamic speaker whose topic aligns with Lincoln Park Zoo’s mission: connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science, and conservation.

Zoo Ball History

2024
Co-chairs Jennifer Statler and Jessica Therivel
Theme Wild Everest

2023
Co-chairs Angie Euston and Nina Winston Kohn
Theme Reaching New Heights

2022
Co-chairs Brigid Najarian and Amy Olshansky
Theme Birds of Paradise

2021
Co-chairs Melissa Filkin and Mary MacGregor
Theme Roar with the Changes

2020 
Co-chairs Bridget Campbell, Beth Kies, Carrie Parr
Theme No Ball Zoo Ball

2019 
Co-chairs Bonnie Kaufman and Ela Lewis
Theme A Feathered Affair

2018 
Co-chairs Krista Coan and Allyson Pooley
 Theme Zoobilee, Celebrating 150 Years!

2017
 Co-chairs Mary O. Pearlman and Shawn G. Sandor
Theme The Mane Event

2016
 Co-chairs Lisa Genesen and Christine Tierney
Theme Penguins in Paradise

2015 
Co-chairs Karen Eisenbart and Denise Stefan Ginascol
Theme Arctic Blast

2014 
Co-chairs Katie Gledhill and Caroline Huebner
Theme Monkey Business

2013
 Co-chairs Jennifer Caruso, Charlotte K. Monhart and Vasiliki Weiden
Theme Wild at Heart

2012 
Co-chairs Cindy Ross Polayes and Susu Meder
Theme The Great Catsby

2011 
Co-chairs Rosemary Jones, Susan Erler and Kirsten Rider
Theme Hollywood & Vines

2010
 Co-chairs Kim Theiss and Peggy White
Theme Rock & Roar

2009 
Chair Patricia G. Cutilletta
Theme Spots and Stripes Forever:  Celebrating an American Treasure

2008
 Co-chairs Susan F. Erler and Karen V. Peterson
 Theme An Evening in the Emerald City

2007
 Co-chairs Debra M. Clamage and Anne S. Heller
Theme Zoodio 54: The Glittering Ball

2006 
Co-chairs Joan Leydon Siff and  Kimberly Orput van der Zanden
Theme Timbuktu to Xanadu: An Exotic Evening at the zoo

2005 
Chair Anne S. Heller
Co-Chairs Joan Leydon Siff and Abby Didrickson Zanarini
Theme Zoolin Rouge

2004 
Co-Chairs Josephine E. Heindel and Myra Reilly
Theme Swing!

2003 
Co-Chairs Courtney J. McEniry and Josephine E. Heindel
Theme Carnevale! Animali! A Venetian Masked Ball

2002
 Chair Martha Cannis
Co-Chairs Trudene Giesel and Karen L. Meister
 Theme Bamboleo: The Rhythm of South America

2001 
Chair Karen Goodyear
Co-Chair Diane Sprenger Clark
Co-Chair Gale Gottlieb
Theme A Walk on the Wild Side

2000 
Chair Nan Nygaard
 Co-Chair Debra M. Clamage
Theme Music of the Night

1999 
Chair Dana Shepard Treister
Co-Chairs Donna LaPietra and Joan Sulzer Werhane
Theme Cirque du ZOOleil: Deja ZOO

1998 
Chair Donna LaPietra
 Co-Chair Denise L. Stefan
 Theme Cirque du ZOOleil

1997
 Chair Denise L. Stefan
Theme 20th Anniversary of the Women’s Board

1996 
Chair Mrs. Ralph W. Applegate, Jr. (Helen)
Co-Chairs Mrs. Allen Hochfelder (Stephanie) and Mrs. Victor L. Lewis, Jr. (Jayne)
Theme Zoo Babies Ball

1995
Chair Marie L. Gaudette
Co-Chairs Mrs. William E. Bennett (Susan) and Sonia Blicharz Larkin
Theme Orient Yourself to the Zoo

1994
 Chair Myra Risher
 Co-Chairs Mrs. David C. Phillips (Susan) and Denise L. Stefan
Theme The Magic of Lincoln Park Zoo

1993 
Co-Chairs Mrs. Clark Hagerty (Jean) and Mrs. Michael J. Oslac (Emma)
Theme ExZOOberance (20th Anniversary of the Women’s Board)

1992 
Co-Chairs Mrs. Saul Siegel (Janis) and Mrs. Jan Tom Wong (Janice)
Theme Aurora Borealis – An Evening Under the Stars (Canadian)

1991
 Co-Chairs Mrs. Thomas C. Sheffield, Jr. (Pam) and Mrs. Michael R. Treister (Dana)
Theme Swiss Soiree

1990
 Co-Chairs Mrs. John F. Hechinger (Mary) and Mrs. Robert O. Wienke (Jane)
Theme A Night on the Nile

1989
 Co-Chairs Nena Ivon and Mrs. Michael P. O’Malley (Kay)
 Theme Le Bal du Zoo (French)

1988
 Co-Chairs Mrs. J. Paul Beitler (Penny) and Mrs. Wayne C. Stevens (Suzanne)
Theme Bali, Bangkok, and Beyond

1987
 Co-Chairs Mrs. James R. Adams, Jr. (Jenny) and Mrs. John M. Trainer, III (Nancy)
Theme A Midsummer Night’s Fantasy

1986 
Co-Chairs Cynthia Holmes and Mrs. James Schink (April)
Theme Zoo Ball Fiesta

1985
 Chair Mrs. Robert L. Giesel (Trudy)
Co-Chairs Mrs. Raymond H. Drymalski (Sally) and Mrs. Ronald M. Gonsky (Carol)
Theme A Walk on the Wild Side (Safari)

1984
 Co-Chairs Mrs. Edward Goldfarb (Alicia Kimball) and Mrs. Jerry K. Pearlman (Barbara)
Theme 200th Anniversary of Hot Air Ballooning

1983
 Co-Chairs Mrs. Louis A. Lehr, Jr. (Sherry) and Mrs. Dennis A. Molloy, Jr. (Mary Jane)
 Theme No Theme, just an elegant party!

1982
 Chair Mrs. Melvin A. Olshansky (Roberta) and
Co-Chair Mrs. Andrew McNally, IV (Jeanine)
Theme Brazilian Mardi Gras

1981 
Co-Chairs Mrs. Owen H. Deutsch (Bonnie) and Mrs. Edward Byron Smith, Jr. (Maureen)
Theme The Zoo Ball – A Circus Extravaganza

1980
 Co-Chairs Mrs. Charles A. Ault, III (Valerie) and Mrs. Richard J.L. Senior (Diana)
Theme Super Zoo Ball

1979 
Co-Chairs Mrs. Arthur L. Dunne (Meg) and Mrs. Charles P. Leffel (Gay)
 Theme Friday the 13th – Black Cats

1978
 Chair Mrs. Robert M. Steiner (Penny)
 Theme Penguin Theme

1977  
Chair Mrs. Keith K. Stocker (Debbie)
Theme Zoo La La

Questions?

To learn more about the Women’s Board, inquire about joining, or sponsor an event, please email womensboard@lpzoo.org.

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