Jen Rudolph

Jen Rudolph has been many things: bartender, makeup artist, sales manager, HR rep. She took classes in anthropology, gender studies, literature, and history. But when she volunteered in 2007 at ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO, reconnecting with her lifelong love for animals, her path was forever changed: She learned about an AmeriCorps program providing conservation education programs to Rhode Island youth, and “took a leap of faith and landed in an extraordinary place, surrounded by amazing change-makers.”

Jen returned to school and earned a degree in human studies from URI and today serves as Manager of Ambassador Animal Programming, overseeing the Zoo’s Green Team and coordinating projects like the Zero Trash Initiative and virtual Zoo School series. “My focus is on the connections humans make with our animals,” Jen explains. “Bearing witness to people of all ages fall in love with the natural world is extraordinary. There is so much joy in saving the natural world, and when we all are involved, even in a seemingly small way, we are taking part in healing our collective humanity. We need everyone, including you!”