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 |
Daryl Knip, PresidentAbonmarche Consultants |
Gillian Shaw, Vice PresidentenFocus |
Amber Behrens, TreasurerEverwise Credit Union |
Dru Cash, SecretaryRE/MAX |
Erik Johnson, At-LargeJ2 Marketing |
Myles BusbyUniversity of Notre Dame |
Christine CotterMeridian Title |
Mark CrinitiSouthBank Legal |
Brian Duba1st Source Bank |
Jennifer Duke Retired Science Teacher |
Chris FieldingCressy Commercial Real Estate |
Eric HorvathCity of South Bend, Public Works |
Levon JohnsonGreater Elkhart Chamber |
David KibbeIndiana Trust Wealth Management |
Mona LivingstonIndiana Michigan Power |
Joan McClendonUniversity of Notre Dame |
Hodge PatelAbonmarche |
Christi RiskNursing Home Administrator |
Jason Schultz,Barnes & Thornburg |
James Turnwald,Michiana Area COG |
Brad Swanson,South Bend Endodontics |
George Horn, President EmeritusBarnes & Thornburg |
Dan Parker, Mayoral AppointeeBeacon Health System |

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 |
Daryl Knip, President, Abonmarche Consultants
Gillian Shaw, Vice-President, enFocus
Amber Behrens, Treasurer, Everwise Credit Union
Dru Cash, Secretary, RE/MAX
Erik Johnson, At-Large, J2 Marketing
George Horn, President Emeritus, Barnes & Thornburg
Dan Parker, Mayoral Appointee, Beacon Health System
Myles Busby, Allied Solutions LLC
Christine Cotter, Meridian Title
Mark Criniti, SouthBank Legal
Brian Duba, 1st Source Bank
Jennifer Duke, Retired Science Teacher
Chris Fielding, Cressy Commercial Real Estate
Eric Horvath, City of South Bend, Public Works
Levon Johnson, Greater Elkhart Chamber
David Kibbe, Indiana Trust Wealth Management
Mona Livingston, Indiana Michigan Power
Joan McClendon, University of Notre Dame
Hodge Patel, Abonmarche
Christi Risk, Nursing Home Administrator
Jason Schultz, Barnes & Thornburg
Brad Swanson, South Bend Endodontics
James Turnwald, Michiana Area COG












Daryl Knip, President
Gillian Shaw, Vice President
Amber Behrens, Treasurer
Erik Johnson, At-Large
Myles Busby
Christine Cotter
Brian Duba
Chris Fielding

David Kibbe
Mona Livingston

Christi Risk
Jason Schultz,
James Turnwald,
Brad Swanson,
George Horn, President Emeritus
Dan Parker, Mayoral Appointee


















