FEATURE STORY — July/August 2008

Call of the Wild

In these times of rapid urbanization, Christopher Panek helps Brookfield Zoo inspire people to conserve the natural environment

By Sara Langen

When Christopher Panek joined the Brookfield Zoo as vice president of membership, he fulfilled a childhood dream: In his youth, Panek loved riding his bike to the zoo.

Perched aside one of the great stone lions surrounding the fountain at the center of Brookfield Zoo, a young Christopher Panek ’91 LAS gazes out over the beautiful parkland he rode his bike to see for what seems like the millionth time. 

Now all grown up, Panek passes those lions and their counterparts guarding the zoo’s entrances nearly every day as he walks to the office where he serves as vice president of membership for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo. For many people, attending a meeting means trudging down an artificially lit hallway; for Panek, it means walking outdoors past some of the zoo’s animal exhibits. The opportunity to view wildlife is one of the perks of his job, he says.

“I do try to get out to the park and see the animals and remind myself where I am. Sometimes I have to park by the Children’s Zoo and there’s a lovely odor from the horses, but I love that,” he laughs. “It reminds you where you are and what you do and the whole natural process.”

That process for Panek and his membership team involves helping the Chicago Zoological Society fulfill its mission of inspiring conservation by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Known throughout the world for its innovative exhibits, Brookfield Zoo currently houses more than 2,000 animals on 216 acres.

Encouraging people to become members and support the zoo’s mission is something Panek takes pride in doing. “It’s part marketing, part guest services, part philanthropy and part revenue generation,” he explains. “Being in a position where I’m involved with all of those different areas is rewarding for me.”

As fulfilling as his job is, Panek had a few detours along the way. He studied theater, aviation, accounting and law enforcement before finding his niche. “It took me about seven degrees to figure out what I wanted to do,” he laughs. “I didn’t like much of it, so at UIC I honed in on communication, with an emphasis on mass communication.”

After graduating from UIC, Panek worked for Continental Cablevision, producing community programming. “I enjoyed that a great deal, but I didn’t want to continue on that career path,” he reflects. “I found an opportunity to work for the Museum of Science and Industry—that’s what led me to nonprofits” and marketing memberships.

Panek spent 11 years at the museum before leaving his position as director of membership and community affairs to join the staff at the zoo in 2005. Having always wanted to work there, he jumped at the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream.

“I grew up in [the nearby suburb] Westchester and I was raised in a zoo family,” he shares. “My mother’s family had been coming to the zoo since she was a little girl. I even had my wedding reception at the zoo before I worked here.”

As the world becomes more urban, conservation efforts will become more challenging, which makes Panek’s work feel like more than just a job. “We have to succeed or we’re going to have a problem,” he says. “I like what I do and I know it’s important. I envision myself being part of the zoo family for some time.”