The Wetlands Initiative’s 30th Anniversary Gala

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Morgan Arts Complex
3622 South Morgan Street
Chicago, Illinois 60609

6:00pm Cocktail Reception
7:00pm Dinner and Program

Co-Chairs: Judith Stockdale and Christopher Burke

Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. Ayana authored The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, work that is carried on with her newsletter and podcast of the same name. Previously, she co-edited the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, co-created and co-­hosted the Spotify/Gimlet podcast How to Save a Planet, and co-­authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Ayana earned a BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project. Above all: Ayana is in love with climate solutions.

Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities

Tickets are now on sale!

View sponsorship opportunities for TWI’s 30th Anniversary Gala here. For questions on sponsorship opportunities, contact Abby Mattson at amattson@wetlands-initiative.org.