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Embracing Change:
The Power of Adaptability and Growth

Tim Sullivan

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Change is inevitable, yet how we respond to it defines our personal and professional growth. In this keynote, I will share my journey of embracing change- both the unexpected challenges and the opportunities that reshaped my path. From pivotal career shifts to personal turning points, I’ll explore how adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to step into the unknown have been key to transformation. Through real-life experiences, insights, and lessons learned, this talk will hopefully inspire you to reframe change not as an obstacle, but as a powerful catalyst for success and fulfillment. Whether navigating career transitions, industry disruptions, or personal reinvention, we all have the ability to embrace change with confidence, purpose, and vision.

​Tim has worked for the Chicago Zoological Society at Brookfield Zoo for the last 42 years. He spent the first half of his career as a trainer in the marine mammal department and later as a supervisor in the pachyderm department. This experience led to his current role as the Zoo's Director of Behavioral Husbandry. Tim is currently on the instructor teams of the Association of Zoo and Aquariums’ (AZA) annual Animal Training Applications and Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums courses. He is active in international training organizations and has been an officer on the board of directors of both the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance; an organization he cofounded.