Hometown: Houston, TX
Department/Title: Manager of Special Events
How long have you worked at the Houston Zoo?: 15 months
How long have you been in the your field?: 6 years
Favorite animal: Big cats – especially Lions
Quote: “Two Roads diverged in the wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by.”
Robert Frost – A Road Not Traveled
Special interests/hobbies: Traveling – I’ve been fortunate enough to have already visited over 20 countries, working out, being outdoors, hiking, canoeing. My family is Italian, so I lived in Rome for part of my childhood and again after I graduated from college.
What made you want to work at a zoo?: I wanted to work for a non-profit organization instead of a large corporation. The zoo offers a great opportunity for people in my field because there aren’t a lot of positions specifically geared to planning a variety of special events.
Education/training: B.A. in Organizational communication and media studies from the University of the Pacific with a minor in philosophy.
Previous related jobs: I worked for the Museum of Fine Arts for several years then went abroad to Rome to work as a special events coordinator for a large events company. I am fluent in Italian and can understand French and some Spanish.
Advice to anyone wanting to enter the your field: Be organized, a quick thinker, and good under pressure. Think outside the box and think ahead for potential mishaps and resolutions. You want to be able to turn a bad situation into a positive one!
Something you want people to know about yourself or your position at the zoo: Please don’t kill the messenger! Our department is just a middle man for either external clients or other zoo departments. We are here to make everyone happy and that sometimes means asking for things even if we know the deadline has passed. We feel as though it never hurts to ask, the worst that can happen is someone says no. We do lots of different types of events, from internal events to fundraisers, 5k walks, corporate receptions, weddings, birthdays and many other events. We coordinate events like Zooball, Zoobilee, Enrichment Day, Conservation Day, and many more! If someone requires a table or chairs, we’re involved. Just remember we are always here for you!
There are numerous career paths to choose from at the Houston Zoo! To learn more about non-keeper careers, visit Leigh’s blog or the Houston Zoo’s Career page!
