ALEJANDRO GRAJAL

Alejandro has lived and breathed the amazing natural ecosystems that make up our beloved planet. He is also an accomplished and prolific author that currently leads Woodland Park Zoo, one of the largest zoos in America with a legacy of 126 years and one of the most important cultural and most visited institutions in Seattle.

He is internationally known for his vision to define a new relationship between humans and nature by helping to restore the deep, affective bond between people and animals. He advocates for zoos as the best community institutions to create a social movement for conservation, to foster science learning beyond the classroom, and to ensure that all people have access to nature, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Before joining the zoo, Alejandro served as senior vice president for conservation, education and training at the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, where he headed the Center for Conservation Leadership, oversaw field conservation and research programs for the Center for the Science of Animal Welfare, and supervised education programs. Previously, he had served as executive director of international programs for the National Audubon Society and director of Latin American programs at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York.

A noted author, Alejandro’s publications include 45 peer-reviewed books, chapters, and scientific and popular articles covering topics which span the psychology of conservation, measuring the impact of environmental education, the sustainable use of natural resources and ornithology, among others. He leads the Climate Literacy Zoo Education Network (CliZEN), a coalition of zoological institutions, universities and NGOs. In 2016, Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society awarded him the prestigious George B. Raab Medal for Conservation Leadership, recognizing his lifelong contributions to environmental and species protection, and inspiring future generations of scientists and leaders to tackle big questions about living harmoniously with all beings on the planet. In his spare time, he is an accomplished wildlife artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries in major cities.

He currently serves on the boards of Wild Welfare, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and World Trade Center Seattle. Alejandro earned his undergraduate degree in ecology from Simón Bolívar University in Caracas, Venezuela and his PhD in zoology from the University of Florida.

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This week is America's 249th birthday and there are few things more quintessentially American than football. So we have a special treat for you, a conversation with Marissa Solis. She is the steward of the NFL brand and serves as SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing. The National Football League is by far the most valuable sports league in the world.

She has been instrumental in widening the aperture and appeal of the game and the enterprise. Demographics made this an imperative, technology made it possible, and with them business of sports - which is as much about playing games as it is about media and entertainment. Exhibit One (of many): the most recent NLF draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Marissa has had a remarkable career managing global brands at companies like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo and holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Georgetown University.

TOD LEIWEKE

Tod is a remarkable human being, full stop. His journey’s genesis is rooted in very humble beginnings in one of the poorest counties in Missouri, punctuated by two tragedies, to becoming one of the most prolific sports executives in the United States over the last four decades. He is currently part-owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Seattle Kraken and was instrumental in building the world’s first carbon neutral stadiums and a beloved institution in the city, Climate Pledge Arena.

Before his current roles, he served as NFL as Chief Operating Officer running day-to-day operations of the league including football operations, media, marketing, NFL International, communications and social responsibility. Prior to rejoining the NFL, Tod was Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment, which included the Tampa Bay Lightning and Amalie Arena and in his last season the team was a Stanley Cup Finalist accentuating a remarkable turnaround of the franchise.

Prior to joining the Lightning, Tod served as CEO of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and Vulcan Sports & Entertainment for seven years. During his tenure in Seattle he revived the Seahawks 12th Man brand, and assisted in building one of the NFL's finest 200,000sf waterfront practice facilities including access for fans to attend training camp. Concurrently he also provided oversight of the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) as acting President. Tod also served as first ever team President of the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) helping set in motion the team that is now regarded as one of the model franchises in Major League Soccer then averaging over 40,000 fans per match. He is part-owner of the Sounders FC.

Preceding this, Tod was President of the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. He also held an executive position with the PGA TOUR and held early career positions with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, the NBA's Golden State Warriors and a short stint as President of the Houston Rockets.

TOD RELATED LINKS

Wikipedia

Kraken’s Future

Sounders

Downtown Seattle Association

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Official website: https://topofthegame-thepod.com/

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