Since becoming president and CEO of the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, in 2016, Bridget Coughlin, PhD, has overseen all operations and initiatives, leading the Aquarium in its mission to inspire compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world.
Under her direction, the Aquarium, which dates back to 1930 and is home to around 32,000 animals, welcomes 1.9 million visitors each year. It offers a variety of cutting-edge experiences and programmes in pursuit of this mission.
Dr Coughlin is a tireless supporter of access in all forms. She commits the organisation to providing tens of millions of dollars in free admission each year, champions a variety of learning methods and styles, and speaks out in favour of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in the business world.
As a scientist and conservation enthusiast, her dedication to education and conservation goes far beyond the walls of the Shedd Aquarium. Through urban outposts and immersive virtual learning experiences, she has introduced locals and visitors alike to Shedd’s aquatic life on the Great Lakes, both throughout the city and in the digital world.
Shedd Aquarium is a founding member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership and has been guided by Coughlin in its efforts to minimise worldwide plastic waste and enhance the protection of marine sanctuaries. She is a driving force behind this alliance and represented 19 US aquariums at the Our Ocean Conference in Malta in 2017 as a member of the US delegation, where she pledged their commitment to end the use of single-use plastics in all corporate activities.
Speaking to blooloop in 2022, on the enduring appeal of aquariums, Coughlin said:
“There is a yearning, emotionally and cognitively, to connect with the natural; to connect with life. We are social beings. That doesn’t have to mean being social with humans. That truly means social in a broader, multi-species sense.”