Chamber Monthly Luncheon

Description

Monthly Chamber Luncheon at SacYard Community Taphouse featuring Guest Speaker Katie Hallsten from the Sacramento Zoo.

Katie Hallsten serves as the Advancement Associate at the Sacramento Zoo, where she coordinates grassroots partnerships, community events, and special projects to support the zoo. A Sacramento native, Katie is deeply passionate about bettering the region she calls home. Her work focuses on building meaningful community connections and championing a bold vision for the future of conservation and education at the Sacramento Zoo.

Before stepping into the development world, Katie worked as an Animal Care Professional at the Sacramento Zoo, where she cared for a wide range of species, trained volunteers, and led public educational programs. Her hands-on experience provided her with a deep understanding of animal welfare, enrichment, and the essential role AZA-accredited institutions play in conservation.

She also brings a strong background in scientific research, having collaborated with institutions such as the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, Edinburgh Zoo, and the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. Her work has spanned primate cognition, virtual reality research with bonobos, and behavioral studies of dolphins and other primates. Katie holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of St. Andrews and a bachelor’s in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from UC San Diego.

Katie’s unique expertise in animal care, scientific research, and community engagement informs her passionate advocacy for wildlife and for the people who make conservation possible. At today’s meeting, she’ll explore the importance of zoos, share exciting updates on the Sacramento Zoo’s ongoing programs, and invite the community to help shape the future of the region’s zoo in Land Park.