In this episode I interviewed Megan Ross, President & CEO at Lincoln Park Zoo.
A trailblazing leader, Megan Ross, Ph.D. serves as President & CEO of Chicago’s iconic Lincoln Park Zoo. As the first woman and first scientist to lead the global urban zoo and science center, Ross drives the zoo’s mission and vision of being open, accessible, and welcoming for guests from all around the globe.
Dr. Ross has had an extensive career of learning about — and caring for — animals that has taken her across the world, from China to Atlanta to right here in Chicago. She joined Lincoln Park Zoo in 2000 as the Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds, and over the next 20 years she served as the zoo’s General Curator, Vice President of Animal Care and Education, Executive Vice President, and Zoo Director.
Appointed as CEO in 2022, she centers her work on four pillars: Care, Conservation, Community, and Culture. These values are the zoo’s platform for engaging the people of Chicago around broader issues of animal welfare, coexistence with nature in an urbanizing world, and environmental issues like climate change, habitat loss, and conservation of diverse and healthy ecosystems, both at the zoo and around the world.
A passionate, published scientist and committed environmentalist, she incorporates her broader perspective into improving animal welfare and helping zoo visitors connect with nature. For instance, she launched ZooMonitor in 2016, an animal-behavior monitoring app that gives insight into the needs and best possible care of animals. Today, the app has been downloaded by more than 700 institutions across more than 50 countries.
Dr. Ross is also widely regarded as an expert on zoo ethics as the former chair of the ethics board for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and a newly appointed AZA board member. Locally, she is also a member of Leadership Greater Chicago’s inaugural Daniel Burnham Fellowship cohort, The Chicago Network and the Economic Club of Chicago.
A self-proclaimed science nerd, Dr. Ross has a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in psychology and lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two children.
Wepa! I'm Marina. I am a technologist, mom, podcast host, leadership coach, cruciverbalist, and aquarian. ;)
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Key Highlights/Tools:
- Woman CEO
- Modern Zoo Culture
- Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago
Memorable Quotes:
- “I think it is important to say why not instead of why because when you ask why you can always come up with reasons why not; but when you say why not it is hard to say why not.” - Megan Ross, President & CEO at Lincoln Park Zoo
Useful Links and Resources:
- https://www.lpzoo.org/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-ross-ph-d-48908b112/