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Rhode Island Zoological Society (RIZS) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports and maintains Roger Williams Park Zoo. RIZS works to secure the public and private sector support that the Zoo needs to continue to develop new world-class exhibits, make significant contributions to conservation, and to 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. All trustees are fully independent, voting members of the Board. They serve the Society’s mission with no remuneration.

BOARD MEMBERS

headshot of Pat LeBeau, RIZS board

PATRICK T. LEBEAU

CHAIR
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management

Board member headshot - Sandy Coletta

SANDY COLETTA

VICE CHAIR
Community Representative

Board member headshot - Meg Ferguson

MARGARET FERGUSON

SECRETARY
Community Representative

Board member headshot - Maribeth Williamson

MARIBETH Q. WILLIAMSON

TREASURER
Community Representative

Board member headshot - Nancy Allen

NANCY J. ALLEN

TRUSTEE
Community Representative

Board member headshot - Martha Bower

MARTHA BOWER

TRUSTEE
Community Representative

Board Member Headshot - Douglas Caniglia

DOUGLAS CANIGLIA

TRUSTEE
CSI DCI Construction, Inc.

Board member headshot - Claire Carrabba

CLAIRE CARRABBA, ESQ.

TRUSTEE
Dungey Dougherty PLLC

CHERYL COHEN

TRUSTEE
Amica Mutual Pavilion & RI Convention Center

Board member headshot - Sarah Denby

SARAH DENBY

TRUSTEE
Community Representative

Headshot of board member Samir Dhamija

SAMIR DHAMIJA

TRUSTEE
My Mez, LLC

Board member headshot - Cindy Erickson

CINDY ERICKSON

TRUSTEE
Citizens Bank

Board member headshot - Pamela Heffernan

PAMELA W. HEFFERNAN

TRUSTEE
Community Representative

Board member headshot - John Igliozzi

JOHN IGLIOZZI, ESQ.

TRUSTEE
Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Board Member Headshot - Howard Merten

HOWARD MERTEN, ESQ.

TRUSTEE
Partridge, Snow & Hahn

Damaris Messina Board Member Headshot

DAMARIS MESSINA

TRUSTEE
Aloft Providence Downtown

JOHN MULLEN

TRUSTEE
Parsons Capital Management

JACK MURRAY

TRUSTEE
Community Representative

Board member headshot - Steve Parente

STEVEN M. PARENTE

TRUSTEE
Bank RI

Board member headshot - Karen Silva

KAREN SILVA, Ed. D., CHE

TRUSTEE
Johnson & Wales University

Headshot of board member Dameian Slocum

DAMEIAN SLOCUM

TRUSTEE
Johnson & Wales University

Chairman Emeritus

Sophie F. Danforth*

Trustees Emeritus

  • Margaret E. Curran, Esq.
  • Thomas P. Dimeo
  • Jocelin Hamblett
  • James S. Harper III, VMD*
  • Bradford B. Kopp
  • Arthur D. Little
  • Nancy G.R. Moger
  • Richard Nadeau
  • Jane S. Nelson
  • John J. Palumbo
  • Cate M. Roberts
  • Philip A. Segal, Jr.*
  • Robert F. Stoico*
  • Liz Rollins Mauran

Ex-Officio

  • Wendy Nilsson, Superintendent of Parks

Management

  • Stacey Johnson, Executive Director, RI Zoological Society and Roger Williams Park Zoo
  • Ron Patalano, Chief Operating Officer
  • Joshua Sweeney, CPA, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Sheri Avery, Director of Human Resources
  • Shareen Knowlton, Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer
  • Vicki Scharfberg, Director of Marketing & PR
  • Amy Roberts, Chief Zoological Officer
  • Dr. Kimberlee Wojick, Director of Veterinary Services
  • Danielle Mosteller, Director of Guest Services
  • Tempie Thompson, Director of Development
  • Lou Perrotti, Director of Conservation Programs
  • Leigh Picard, Director of Guest Engagement
  • Vincent Reilly, Facility Director
  • Andrea Stein, Director of Education
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