Chicago Zoological Society

Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D. President and CEO

With 20 years of background in national and international programs, Dr. Stuart Strahl is a career conservationist with deep experience in applied science, restoration ecology, public policy, and not-for-profit management. Prior to arriving at CZS, Dr. Strahl led Audubon into national prominence as the acknowledged private-sector leader in the largest ecological restoration initiative in history, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. His prior positions include founding President/CEO of Audubon of Florida, Vice President and Everglades Conservation Director of the National Audubon Society, and Research Fellow and founding Director of Latin American Programs for the Wildlife Conservation Society. Dr. Strahl is dedicated to converting conservation into a mainstream public issue. He has worked extensively to develop lasting partnerships in the United States and Latin America, which have resulted in preservation of over 30 million acres of wildlife habitat and over $15 billion in conservation funding. He has broad experience in bringing together diverse interests around mainstream causes. He has served on various Boards of Directors, including the Society for Conservation Biology, the Everglades Foundation, and Vital Ground Foundation. Dr. Strahl is also well-versed in philanthropic support, having raised many millions of dollars in operational funding to support these initiatives. Dr. Strahl received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Bates College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and his Ph.D. in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany. He served for over 10 years as the founding Chair of the IUCN/SSC Specialist Group on the Avian Family Cracidae and on adjunct faculties of the University of Florida, State University of New York, Washington College, and elsewhere.

Sandra Dornhecker Vice President of Human Relations

Sandra Dornhecker holds a Bachelors degree in Behavioral Science from National Louis University and has completed graduate work towards an M.B.A. degree in Human Resources. Prior to her work at the Chicago Zoological Society, she worked for 13 years as the Director of Human Resources for the Illinois Cancer Center, a non-profit cancer research consortium of university medical centers, teaching schools, and hospitals in Illinois, and she held various other management and administrative positions prior to this in the corporate sector. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Society for Human Resource Professionals (SHRP), the Employment Management Association (EMA), and the Society for Young American Professionals. She has been listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who since 1998 and received the Kelly Award of Excellence in 1980. In 2000, she co-founded the Chicago Metropolitan HR Cultural Group, a professional group of top HR professionals representing major Chicagoland cultural and non-profit organizations.

Alejandro Grajal, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Conservation, Education, and Training

Prior to joining the Society’s staff, Dr. Alejandro Grajal was the founder and executive director of the Latin America and Caribbean program of the National Audubon Society in Florida. While there, he worked with more than 50 partner organizations in 15 countries around the world. He received his undergraduate degree in Ecology at Simon Bolívar University in Caracas and his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida. He was Director of the Latin American Programs at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York from 1991 to 1998. He has participated in protected-area planning and conservation programs with the United States Agency for International Development, the Global Environmental Fund, the World Bank, and the European Union.

Ken Kaduk Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration

Ken Kaduk has extensive experience in the financial industry. Before joining the Chicago Zoological Society, he served as Regional Vice President of Operations and Controller for General Roofing, Inc., a nationwide construction service provider and subcontractor. Prior to that, he was Vice-President of Finance and Administration for Wen Products, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of power tools for lawn care and car care. Other positions have included Vice-President of Finance and Administration for Grolier Publishing Company; Controller of CECO Concrete Construction; and Manager of Financial and Operational Analysis for Northwest Industries. Ken has an M.B.A. with concentrations in accounting and finance from University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in mathematics and economics from Lake Forest College.

Jo-Elle Mogerman Vice President of Planning and Community Affairs

Jo-Elle Mogerman is a native Chicagoan who grew up with a love of animals. She applied that love to her academic pursuits obtaining a B.A. in Biology from Macalester College and an M.A. in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a PhD. student in Ecology and Evolution at University of Illinois-Chicago. She fell into education as a way to reach others, particularly people of color, with conservation messages. Jo-Elle has devoted her professional life to creating and implementing conservation education programs that address institutional and audience needs. She has successfully managed staff, budgets, and grants. This has led to experience with project management, media, community relations, and strategic planning. Several awards have been granted under her leadership of organizations, programs, or projects.

Abe Singh Vice President of Plant and Facilities

Abe Singh is a licensed engineer, with a B.S. in electrical engineering from Northern Illinois University. His other qualifications include certifications in roofing and pavement design. Before joining the Society, Abe worked for the United Parcel Service in various capacities, including Regional Project Manager for the North Central Region and Plant Engineering Specialist. In the former capacity, he was responsible for UPS plant engineering and facility management, as well as training and performance audits for 10 districts throughout the Midwest. He oversaw project engineers, maintenance and housekeeping staff, mechanics, environmental, and other workers. Abe has a strong background and experience in designing and managing major construction projects, from development of construction documents to bid processes, negotiations, contract administration, quality control, risk management, and construction management.

Dan Wharton, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Animal Programs

Most recently, Dr. Dan Wharton served as the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Director of New York’s City Zoos, namely the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo. He began his career with WCS as a mammal curator in 1979. As a mammalogist and population biologist interested in the management of small populations in zoos, Dr. Wharton has worked extensively in establishing North America’s captive gorilla and snow leopard populations, serving as chairman of the AZA Species Survival Plans for these two species for more than 15 years. Dr. Wharton is also the Executive Editor of the zoo science journal "Zoo Biology" and is an adjunct scientist and associate professor with the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) program at Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. in biology from Fordham University and a Master’s Degree in International Administration from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. As a Fulbright Scholar to Germany, Dr. Wharton studied population genetics and zoological garden management of German zoos.

Cindy Zeigler Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Cindy Zeigler is a seasoned career professional with more than 32 years of diverse experience in development and fundraising, marketing, and overall institutional management. For 13 years, she was a partner in Zeigler and Zeigler, working on a consulting basis with such organizations as National Audubon Society/Audubon of Florida, The Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation, The Cullen Vivarium, The Trout Lake Nature Center, The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, The Humane Society of Marion County, and the Turtle Survival Alliance. Prior to her work as a consultant, she held positions as Deputy Director of the Zoological Society of Florida at Miami’s Metro Zoo, overseeing development, membership, special events, marketing, finance, Board development, gift concessions, and capital projects; as Executive Director of Miami’s Parrot Jungle and Gardens, responsible for the management and development of the attraction; and as Assistant Director for the State of Florida for CARE International, responsible for fundraising, marketing, media development, and direct mail.