Rhode Island Zoological Society
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 Societyโs mission with no remuneration.
BOARD MEMBERS
PATRICK T. LEBEAU
CHAIR
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
NANCY J. ALLEN
VICE CHAIR
Community Representative
SANDY COLETTA
VICE CHAIR
Community Representative
MARGARET FERGUSON
SECRETARY
Community Representative
Maribeth Q. Williamson
TREASURER
Community Representative
MARTHA BOWER
TRUSTEE
Community Representative
DOUGLAS CANIGLIA
TRUSTEE
CSI DCI Construction, Inc.
CLAIRE CARRABBA, ESQ.
TRUSTEE
Dungey Dougherty PLLC
CHERYL COHEN
TRUSTEE
Amica Mutual Pavilion & RI Convention Center
SARAH DENBY
TRUSTEE
Community Representative
Samir Dhamija
TRUSTEE
My Mez, LLC
CINDY ERICKSON
TRUSTEE
Citizens Bank
PAMELA W. HEFFERNAN
TRUSTEE
Community Representative
JOHN IGLIOZZI, ESQ.
TRUSTEE
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
HOWARD MERTEN, ESQ.
TRUSTEE
Partridge, Snow & Hahn
DAMARIS MESSINA
TRUSTEE
Aloft Providence Downtown
JOHN MULLEN
TRUSTEE
Parsons Capital Management
JACK MURRAY
TRUSTEE
Community Representative
JOHN J. PALUMBO
TRUSTEE
Rhode Island Monthly Communications, Inc.
STEVEN M. PARENTE
TRUSTEE
Bank RI
KAREN SILVA, Ed. D., CHE
TRUSTEE
Johnson & Wales University
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
- 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
- Dave Pertuso, 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
- 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