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The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
hosted its annual Gala at the Central
Park Zoo on June 12, bringing together a
diverse community of philanthropists,
scientists, policymakers, and
conservationists to celebrate and
advance the organization's mission to
protect wildlife and wild places.
More than 400 guests attended this
year’s gala. The signature event started
with a cocktail reception, followed by
dinner, and dancing, all set against the
backdrop of Central Park Zoo's unique
outdoor setting.
The co-chairs for this year’s event
included: Elizabeth and Lee Ainslie,
Judy and Jamie Dimon, Katie and Peter
Dolan, Diana and Joe Dowling, Laura and
Peter Grauer, Antonia and George
Grumbach, Diane and Andreas Halvorsen,
Judith Hamilton, John and Jeanet Irwin
on behalf of Hillside Capital
Incorporated, Howdy Phipps, Charlotte
and Alejandro Santo Domingo, Lisa and
David T Schiff, David B “Scott” Schiff,
Kitty and Stephen Sherrill, Coty Sidnam,
Loretta Stadler, Allison and Leonard
Stern, Priscilla and Ward Woods, Akiko
Yamazaki and Jerry Yang, Don and Barbara
Zucker.
The evening honored Dr. Cristián Samper
for his lifelong commitment to
conservation. As former President and
CEO of WCS and current Managing Director
at the Bezos Earth Fund, Dr. Samper has
been instrumental in shaping global
conservation efforts, including the
Protecting Our Planet Challenge, a $5
billion initiative aimed at protecting
30% of the planet
by 2030.
Alejandro Santo Domingo, Chair of the
WCS Board of Trustees, said:
“Dr. Cristián Samper made WCS stronger and more impactful during his ten
years as our President and CEO, and he
continues on his life-long path at the
Bezos Earth Fund as a champion for
wildlife and wild places. There is no
better champion for nature than Cristián,
and at WCS, we will always be thankful
for his years of leadership with us.”
“I just want to say that I feel
incredibly fortunate to have spent my
life doing what I love, to have shared
it with Adriana, with my kids, and so
many extraordinary people,” said Samper,
whose wife, Adriana Casas Isaza, passed
away in December after a courageous
battle with cancer. “And I vow to you
that I plan to dedicate the rest of my
life to caring for this planet and all
life, in a tribute to Adriana, and as a
gift to my children, to their children,
and to all life.”
The Gala underscored the critical role
of community involvement and education
in advancing global conservation.
Through its five iconic wildlife parks
in New York City—the Bronx Zoo, Central
Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo,
and New York Aquarium—WCS inspires and
educates the next generation of
conservationists.
Beyond New York City, WCS operates the
world’s largest site-based conservation
program, working in more than 55
countries and across all the world’s
oceans to protect climate-critical,
biodiverse landscapes and seascapes. In
partnership with governments, Indigenous
Peoples, local communities, and other
stakeholders, WCS safeguards habitats
that support 40 percent of the world’s
biodiversity. These collaborations are
vital to addressing the intersecting
challenges of climate change,
biodiversity loss, and public health,
while protecting and restoring
populations of elephants, big cats,
whales, and other imperiled species.
Proceeds from the Gala will support
WCS’s ongoing efforts to protect
critical ecosystems and foster a deeper
connection between people and nature.
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