About Como Friends

Created by volunteers and boosters, community donors and docents, Como Friends is the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, preserving and enhancing Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Since forming in 1999, Como Friends has reinvested more than $23 million in programs and projects at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory that have helped to make this free-admission treasure Minnesota’s most visited cultural destination. Contributions support three initiatives:

Visionary capital improvements such as the Visitor Center, Tropical Encounters, Polar Bear Odyssey and the upcoming Japanese Garden Experience.
Annual investments in programs and improvements to benefit animals, gardens and visitors. Recent gifts have made possible a renovated Sparky Amphitheater, expanded education programs that now reach nearly a half million visitors each year, new gardens in front of the Visitor Center, and a new face-lift for the Primate Building for the upcoming Gorilla Forest exhibit.
Creation and growth of endowment funds to support garden and animal habitat improvements and education initiatives, transforming Como’s future for the 21^st century. Funds have grown from $12,000 to $5.6 million.

Learn more about Como Friends:

Staff

Kelly Billig

Development Associate, 651-487-8232, kelly.billig@comofriends.org

Laura Billings Coleman

Director of Institutional Relations, 651-487-8229, laura.billings.coleman@comofriends.org

Jennifer Downham

Director of Individual Giving, 651-487-8296, jennifer.downham@comofriends.org

Amanda Golden

Events Associate, 651-207-0338, amanda.golden@comofriends.org

Mary Jensen

Director of Finance, 651-487-8230, mary.jensen@comofriends.org

Jan Kurhajetz

Volunteer and Finance Assoc., 651-487-8234, jan.kurhajetz@comofriends.org

Caroline Mehlhop

Director of Events & Sponsorships, 651-487-8235, caroline.mehlhop@comofriends.org

Kathy Satersmoen

Assist. Manager, Garden Safari Gifts, 651-487-8222, kathy.satersmoen@comofriends.org

Terri Schuenemann

Manager, Garden Safari Gifts, 651-487-8224, terri.scheunemann@comofriends.org

Jackie Sticha

President, 651-487-8225, jackie.sticha@comofriends.org

Matt Wehner

Communications and Development Assoc., 651-487-8229, matthew.wehner@comofriends.org

Board of Directors

Diana Allen

Realtor, Minnesota Home Ventures

Jo Bailey

Community Volunteer

Shane Boyd

Vice President of Communications, Travelers

Arta Cheney

Community Volunteer

Jennifer Denys

Investment Counsel, Advantus Capital Management, a subsidiary of Securian Financial Group

Peter Everett

Marketing Director of Adult Cereals, General Mills

Anne Hazelroth Field

Vice Chair – Community Volunteer

David Gabel

Finance, Ecolab

Stephen Hecht

Management Consultant, United Health Care

Tom Hodnefield

Treasurer – CPA, Tautges Redpath, Ltd.

Robert Hoke

District Manager of Saint Paul and Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Bill Kaphing

Vice President, Xcel Energy

Greg McNeely

Ear 4 Music

Joe Nayquonabe

Corporate Director of Marketing, Grand Casino Mille Lacs/Hinckley

Nancy Nelson

Consultant, The Nelson Group

Marla Ordway

Pratt Ordway Properties

Bill Parker

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, US Bancorp

Ed Pendergast

Community Volunteer

Susan Roeder

Vice President, Andersen Corporate Foundation

Wendy Rubin

Chair – CEO, Wendy Rubin Ltd.

Kathleen Schubert

Organizational Consultant

Peter Thrane

Attorney, Leonard Street & Deinard

Keith Wietecki

Former President & CEO, Seren Innovations & Xcel Energy

Leonard Wilkening

Emeritus Director

Ex Officio

Mike Hahm

Director, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation

Michelle Furrer

Campus Manager, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Jackie Sticha

President, Como Friends

CONTACT US

For more information, please contact:

Como Friends

1225 Estabrook Drive
Saint Paul, MN 55103
651-487-8229
Fax: 651-487-8245
ComoMembership@comofriends.org

Como Friends is not currently hiring.