About Us
South Bend’s first zoo, the South Bend Zoo, began as a modest duck pond in Leeper Park in 1902. In 1921, the Potawatomi Zoo was established in Potawatomi Park, where it continues to exist today. As one of the oldest zoos in Indiana, we are rich in history and building a promising future.
It is the mission of the Potawatomi Zoo to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.
The vision of the Potawatomi Zoological Society is:
- To protect and preserve the diversity of species on Earth
- To provide guests with a unique and meaningful animal experience that is memorable, up close, and personal
- To be recognized as a premier regional destination
- To be responsible and respectful of the facilities and resources entrusted to us
About Us
South Bend’s first zoo, the South Bend Zoo, began as a modest duck pond in Leeper Park in 1902. In 1921, the Potawatomi Zoo was established in Potawatomi Park, where it continues to exist today. As one of the oldest zoos in Indiana, we are rich in history and building a promising future.
It is the mission of the Potawatomi Zoo to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.
The vision of the Potawatomi Zoological Society is:
- To protect and preserve the diversity of species on Earth
- To provide guests with a unique and meaningful animal experience that is memorable, up close, and personal
- To be recognized as a premier regional destination
- To be responsible and respectful of the facilities and resources entrusted to us

Executive DirectorJosh Sisk |
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella |
Director of FinanceKris Wiley |
Director of Guest ExperienceKyle Etheridge |
General CuratorJami Richard |
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc |
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz |
Zoo VeterinarianAllison Dianis, DVM |
![]() Barnes & Thornburg |
![]() Abonmarche Consultants |
![]() Nursing Home Administrator |
![]() enFocus |
![]() J2 Marketing |
![]() Allied Solutions LLC |
![]() Meridian Title |
![]() SouthBank Legal |
Jennifer Duke Retired Science Teacher |
![]() Cressy Commercial Real Estate |
![]() City of South Bend, Public Works |
![]() Greater Elkhart Chamber |
![]() Indiana Michigan Power |
![]() University of Notre Dame |
![]() Insight Accounting Group |
Hodge Patel Abonmarche |
![]() Cressy Commercial Real Estate |
![]() South Bend Community School Corp |
![]() Michiana Area COG |
|
![]() Barnes & Thornburg |
![]() Ziker Cleaners |

Executive DirectorJosh Sisk |
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella |
|
Director of FinanceKris Wiley |
Director of Guest ExperienceKyle Etheridge |
|
General CuratorJami Richard |
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc |
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz |
Zoo VeterinarianAllison Dianis DVM |
Jason Schultz, President, Barnes & Thornburg
Daryl Knip, Vice-President, Abonmarche Consultants
Christi Risk, Treasurer, Nursing Home Administrator
Gillian Shaw, Secretary, enFocus
Erik Johnson, At-Large, J2 Marketing
George Horn, President Emeritus, Barnes & Thornburg
John Mertes, President Emeritus, Ziker Cleaners
Myles Busby, Allied Solutions LLC
Christine Cotter, Meridian Title
Mark Criniti, SouthBank Legal
Jennifer Duke, Retired Science Teacher
Chris Fielding, Cressy Commercial Real Estate
Eric Horvath, City of South Bend, Public Works
Levon Johnson, Greater Elkhart Chamber
Mona Livingston, Indiana Michigan Power
Joan McClendon, University of Notre Dame
Robert Mendoza, Insight Accounting Group
Hodge Patel, Abonmarche
Amber Pulford, Cressy Commercial Real Estate
Patrick Stalvey, South Bend Community School Corp
James Turnwald, Michiana Area COG