Welcome Speakers
Coming Soon
2025 Speakers
Conservationists Chrissy and Jay Kleberg hiked Texas’ 370 miles of barrier islands over 21 days in October 2023. They embarked on this journey to learn more about the rate of change occurring on the coast, hear from residents and experts about its rich diversity of wildlife, habitats, and history, and understand what the future holds. They captured the adventure on film and produced a six-part series for PBS called Chasing the Tide, which is currently on television stations across the nation and streaming. In addition to the series, they published a natural history and adventure book that details the journey, production process, and beauty of the Texas Gulf Coast. They have also partnered with the Gulf Trust, H-E-B, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Keep Texas Beautiful, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and 40 cleanup partners to conduct a statewide trash and marine debris cleanup called Trash Free Gulf in May 2025.
Chrissy is a former wildlife field biologist and amateur photographer. She has conducted avian research and reintroduction work with the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Florida, and the Peregrine Fund in Hawaii, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas. She is a co-producer and co-director of the documentary series Chasing the Tide, airing across the nation on PBS stations and streaming.
Jay is the Executive Director of the Gulf Trust and previously served as Associate Director of the Texas Parks Wildlife Foundation. He co-produced the film Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story and was Associate Producer of the documentary The River and the Wall. He is a co-producer and co-director of the documentary series Chasing the Tide, airing across the nation on PBS stations and streaming.
2025 Keynote Speakers
A Panel Discussion: The Houston Zoo’s Journey to go Single-Use Plastic Free
Colley Hodges; AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, SITES AP; Sustainability Manager, Houston Zoo
Colley Hodges is an architect who leads the Houston Zoo’s sustainability department, recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as the top sustainability program in the country in 2024. Colley is responsible for implementing the Zoo’s Sustainability Action Plan and wildlife-saving initiatives like single-use plastic reduction, light pollution
reduction, and bird-friendly glass. In 2021, Colley was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by both the Houston Business Journal and Building Design + Construction magazine.
Kristin Windle; Elephant Supervisor, Houston Zoo
Kristin Windle is the Elephant Supervisor at the Houston Zoo and has worked with the zoo’s multigenerational elephant herd for 11 years. She is strongly passionate about elephant conservation and is an active member of the North American EEHV advisory group, secretary of the Elephant Managers Association, and Behavior, Husbandry, and Enrichment advisor to the Elephant Taxon Advisory Group. In 2016, she challenged the Elephant team to participate in Plastic Free July, a worldwide initiative that highlights reduction of single use plastics, as a way to highlight how making small changes could save animals in the wild.
Adrian Cavazos; LEED Green Associate; Assistant Vice President, Business Operations, Houston Zoo
Adrian Cavazos is the Assistant Vice President, Business Operations for the Houston Zoo, a role he started in March 2024. He started at the Zoo as the Director of Membership in 2013 and over the past decade has gained responsibilities and leadership of Membership/Call Center, Admissions, Special Events, Event Operations and our Food Service, Retail and Catering operator, SSA. He is a graduate of the University of Houston. He is IBCCES Hospitality Autism Certified and is a LEED Green Associate.
Mark Kathman; Regional Vice President, SSA Group
Mark Kathman is the Vice President of Capital Planning & Projects for the SSA Group, and his primary focus is to promote and encourage innovation, make strategic decisions regarding major construction or facility improvement initiatives, and to ensure best in class projects that align with business and sustainability goals. SSA Group provides culinary, retail, and admission operations for over 90 cultural and iconic attraction partners nationwide, including seven different partners in Texas. Mark began his career in the operations side of the business, and has over 25 years of experience in this industry.
Moderator: Ben Jones; Vice President of Conservation and Education Houston Zoo
Ben Jones has 25 years in wildlife conservation with tenures at zoo-based conservation organizations and national wildlife institutions. As Houston Zoo’s vice president of conservation and education, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the Zoo’s Conservation Education, Guest Engagement, and Wildlife Conservation departments. This team of 24 staff works to advance the Zoo’s wildlife-saving mission through conservation programs on campus, across the community, and around the world.
Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium 