Rhode Island Zoological Society (RIZS) is the non-profit organization that supports and maintains Roger Williams Park Zoo.  RIZS works to secure the public and private sector support needed by the Zoo to continue to develop new world-class exhibits, make significant contributions to conservation and serve the community as a valuable source of environmental education, recreation and economic development.

By the mid 1960's, like so many zoos across the country, Roger Williams Park Zoo was showing visible signs of neglect. One determined individual, Sophie Danforth, recognized that the Zoo was an extremely valuable institution in need of organized assistance. She founded The Society in 1962 to increase public awareness and support for the Zoo and to raise funds from the private sector.

The Society will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2013.

Rhode Island Zoological Society
Board of Trustees (2013)

Chairman Emeritus

Sophie F. Danforth

Trustees Emeritus

Margaret E. Curran, Esq.

Thomas P. Dimeo

Rosalie Fain

Jocelin Hamblett

Stephen Hamblett*

Bradford B. Kopp

Arthur D. Little

Nancy G. R. Moger

Richard Nadeau

Jane S. Nelson

Michael C. Noble

Cate M. Roberts

Michael A. Salvadore, Sr.

Philip A. Segal, Jr.

Robert F. Stoico

Officers

Maribeth Q. Williamson

            Chair

Lou Schwechheimer

            Vice Chair

Stephen W. Shippee

            Treasurer

Margaret Ferguson

            Secretary

Board of Trustees

Kristen Adamo

Nancy J. Allen

Douglas Caniglia

Stephanie Chafee

Barbara S. Cottam

Suzanne Hall

James S. Harper III, V.M.D.

Mark Haskins

Jay Howell

Dr. Thomas Husband

Lisa Koelle

Patrick LeBeau

Kimberley M. Little

Liz Rollins Mauran

Alison McNaughton

Howard Merten

Elaine Moy-Gederman

Eric Nyman

John J. Palumbo

Martha Roberts

Barbara Vernerey

Ex-Officio

Robert McMahon

            Superintendent of Parks        

Jack Mulvena

            Executive Director

* In Memoriam