Bridget C. Coughlin, Ph.D., was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Shedd Aquarium in 2016. Under her leadership, 1.9 million
aquarium guests each year enjoy innovative experiences that are focused on Shedd’s Mission of compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. A relentless advocate for access in all ways, Dr. Coughlin commits the organization to offering tens of millions of dollars in free admission each year; champions varied learning styles and approaches; and is a voice for real diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the business world.

A nature lover and scientist at heart, Dr. Coughlin is passionate about animal life in oceans, rivers and lakes and her commitment to learning and conservation extends well beyond the walls of Shedd Aquarium. She has connected families and community members to Shedd’s aquatic life on the Great Lakes, in neighborhoods across the city and in the digital world with urban outposts and immersive virtual learning experiences.

Shedd is also a founding member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, and Dr. Coughlin has played a critical role in guiding this organization’s work to reduce global plastic waste and advance the protection of marine sanctuaries. In 2017, as a leader in this partnership, Dr. Coughlin was a member of the U.S. delegation to the Our Ocean Conference in Malta where she represented 19 U.S. aquariums in the commitment to ultimately eliminate the use of single-use plastics across business operations. Before joining Shedd, Dr. Coughlin served as vice president of strategic partnerships and programs and adjunct curator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS). At DMNS, she was responsible for education, programs, external partnerships, membership and fundraising for the 115-year-old institution. There, she led the creation of a globally recognized health exhibit and established a community-focused National Institute of Health-funded Genetics of Taste Lab. She was the driving force and lead on the Museum’s 126,000 square foot expansion that opened in 2014 and added massive state of the art museum collection space, early childhood education, community and innovative temporary gallery spaces.

Prior to DMNS, she spent five years with the National Academy of Sciences, where she served as managing editor of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She has also led research teams funded by the National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory.

Currently, Dr. Coughlin is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums where she was a member of the Animal Welfare Committee. She serves on the boards of after School Matters, mindSpark Learning in Denver and the Alaska SeaLife Center and is a member of Latin School of Chicago’s Strategic Planning Committee. Dr. Coughlin is also a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Network (Arts and Letters Subcommittee), and the Economic Club of Chicago. She also serves as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

A Colorado native, Dr. Coughlin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College, a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Iowa and an executive scholar certificate in finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She enjoys outdoor activities, sports of all kinds, theater, board games, and most of all spending time with her husband and three sons.

Teresa Lenling brings experience in strategic management, education design, and community engagement to her roles in nonprofit STEM leadership.  She is known for her passion for STEM education access and innovative visitor experiences.

She was appointed as the CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas in February 2022, where she oversees all aspects of the operations and mission, inspiring the next generation in aviation and space flight with STEM education programs and an extensive collection of unique aerospace artifacts.  Under her leadership, the Museum has developed an expanded vision for education, creating the STEM Leaders of the Future program for youth and teachers.  She is committed to building strategic partnerships and expanding community impact to advance the Museum’s mission. 

Prior to leading the Frontiers of Flight Museum, Teresa served as CEO at Hope Cottage, a nonprofit adoption, foster care, and education agency in Dallas.  During her tenure, she led several key initiatives including a federal funded expansion for community youth education and development of a new strategic plan, mission, vision, and organizational brand. 

Before Hope Cottage, she was the Vice President of School and Community Engagement at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, serving in progressive roles for more than nine years.  While at the Perot Museum, she led the creation and expansion of innovative informal STEM learning experiences aimed at increasing community impact for all ages including vision and development of the TECH (Tinker, Engineer, Create, and Hack) Truck.

Teresa began her career in museums at the Science Center of Iowa where she last served as the Director of Public Engagement prior to relocating to Dallas for the Perot Museum expansion.  

She holds Bachelor of Science Degrees in Biology & Psychology from the University of South Dakota and Master of Business Administration from Baylor University. 

Nicole G. Small serves as chief executive officer of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, related entities which use their resources to fund game-changing advances in science and nature, empower non-profits, and to improve the local communities of greatest importance to the organizations’ founder, Lyda Hill. In these roles since early 2014, Ms. Small is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of both entities, including their financial and investment activities, as well as their philanthropic initiatives. This involves an exciting array of work ranging from looking at biotech investments that impact cancer to working with conservation NGO’s. LHP is committed to finding and funding innovative solutions both in the non-profit and for-profit worlds. As part of her work at LHP, Ms. Small, co-founded the IF/THEN initiative. The initiative’s purpose is to encourage and advance women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). IF/THEN is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers by inspiring girls with better portrayals of women in STEM through media and learning experiences to pique their interest in STEM careers.

From 2001-2013 Ms. Small played a leadership role in the development and opening of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. After being named CEO in 2002, Ms. Small spearheaded the merger of the city’s three, then-existing nature, science, and children’s museums into a sole museum, working with the Board, the community and the Museum team to raise over $200 million. From 2011 through 2013, Ms. Small was honored to serve as the inaugural Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Victory Park. Earlier in her career, Ms. Small held a variety of positions including serving as the founder and CEO of an internet start-up, an Entrepreneur in Residence at a California-based business incubator, and as an analyst with McKinsey & Company.

Ms. Small received an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She currently is a member of The Dallas Assembly, YPO, Charter 100, and International Women’s Forum. She serves on the Boards of Southwestern Medical Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Hockaday School and Texas 2036. Ms. Small resides in Dallas with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.

Susy Solis is a journalist, broadcaster, entrepreneur and coach who now uses her platform to encourage and advise business owners and empower women and minorities. Solis is a media and communication expert, having spent more than a decade on radio and television and later launching her media consulting firm, Solis Media Strategies.

Solis is a sought-after speaker and media coach who has trained dozens of municipalities, federal agencies, NFL athletes, tech start-ups and Fortune 500 executives and their teams on how to effectively communicate in business, during presentations and on-camera. Solis has also garnered publicity for businesses, people and events. Her journalistic background gives her a unique and critical perspective. In 2019, Solis came out of radio retirement and is a morning drive anchor on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD in Dallas. Solis shares her extensive knowledge as an adjunct professor of Radio and TV Announcing in the Media Arts Department at the University of North Texas in Denton.