Zoo foundation welcomes five new board members

New members share impressive credentials and a commitment to wildlife

Five new members with impressive expertise and a shared passion for animal welfare have joined the Oregon Zoo Foundation's board of directors. Bringing with them a wealth of experience from other top fundraising boards focused on animal welfare, fundraising, wildlife conservation and education, the new cohort is committed to the zoo's vision of a better future for wildlife.

Attorney and animal advocate Michael Bragg, president of Portland Community College's North Portland Campus Dr. Karin Edwards, disability insurance executive Jeremy Horner, development expert and animal enthusiast Nancy Jo Visenberg and retired hospital administrator and zoo volunteer Barbara Wegner were all elected to the OZF board in June and are ready to jump into the foundation's many projects in support of the Oregon Zoo.

"We are thrilled to welcome these five new members to the Oregon Zoo Foundation Board," said board chair Raimund Grube. "They each bring their own unique passion for the Oregon Zoo and to our mission to support conservation, education and animal welfare."

Michael Bragg, a shareholder at Buckley Law, P.C. with 40 years of experience in estate planning, income and charitable tax planning, governance, and finance related to non-profit tax-exempt organizations, is a longtime animal advocate. A former president of the Oregon Humane Society, he also served as chairman of the board of directors of the Portland Police Sunshine Division.

Dr. Karin Edwards is President of Portland Community College's North Portland Campus and a leader in the institution's higher education program. She currently serves on the board of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, the Legacy Emanuel Community Advisory Board and the Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives.

Jeremy Horner, an executive with Standard Insurance leading their Disability Insurance program, brings business and nonprofit service experience to the board. A longtime member of the Oregon Zoo, he visits frequently with his wife and their three young children.

Nancy Jo Visenberg, a longtime zoo supporter and animal enthusiast, has travelled all over the world to see wildlife in their range countries. She has been a member of the board of Semester at Sea, a significant global oceanography and ocean education program, and she's a past supporter of Guide Dogs for the Blind, where she served as a volunteer fundraiser and event planner.

Barbara Wegner spent her career as a hospital administrator with Providence Health Systems. After retiring in 2005 she joined the Zoo Guide program, where she has served in a number of leadership roles and has an excellent working knowledge of zoo operations. She has also served on the board of directors for Dove Lewis Emergency Hospital and Intensive Care.

In addition to the new members, the Oregon Zoo Foundation is welcoming new officers to the board. Raimund Grube is board chair, Sharla Settlemier is vice chair, Debby Deering will serve as treasurer, Robert Maloney is secretary and the immediate past board chair is Rob Erickson.