Today, Genevieve Gonnigan serves as the vice president of human resources, people, and culture at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, helping to ensure the vibrancy of a treasured cultural institution. However, it was a long, winding road for Gonnigan to reach this impressive professional height.

After graduating from her Chicago high school in 1994, Gonnigan immediately entered the working world, joining the human resources team at a large telecommunications firm. While her intrinsic drive, lively personality, and willingness to learn new skills opened professional doors, the lack of a college degree limited her ascent. In 2017, she enrolled in SCPS to pursue a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology.

Professors like Michael Rydel were integral to Gonnigan’s development, encouraging her to create the best version of herself. It led to Gonnigan becoming a published poet, graduating with a near-perfect 3.96 GPA, and weaving Loyola’s Jesuit principles into her life.

“I am compelled to seek God in all things, and love, service, and stewardship have become my pillars as I navigate the world,” says Gonnigan, who went on to complete a graduate degree in legal studies at Pepperdine University before joining Lincoln Park Zoo in 2023.