Jennifer Charette

As the community impact manager of design firm TESSERE, Jennifer Charette is the driving force behind ECHO, a conference for the zoos and aquariums sector that aims to empower institutions to reach their full potential as leaders in conservation and education.

This is achieved by exploring challenges and opportunities through the lens of experts outside the zoological community, such as photographers, biomimicry specialists, sportspeople, and psychologists.

In this way, ECHO encourages participants to question assumptions and view their organisations afresh. Additionally, the initiative expands its programme through its ECHO Digital sessions.

“Jennifer Charette is a quiet force with an outsized impact,” says one nominator. “As the creative visionary behind ECHO, she has redefined how zoos and aquariums convene, collaborate, and chart the future of their work.

“ECHO began as a bold idea—what if we gathered not just to share best practices, but to confront hard questions, challenge assumptions, and explore the future of our institutions with honesty, courage, and curiosity? Under Jen’s guidance, that idea has grown into a movement.

“Each ECHO conference reflects her remarkable ability to design experiences that are both intimate and industry-shaping. With intention and insight, Jen curates every element—from speaker selection to pacing, tone, and location—so that the conversations are not only thought-provoking, but transformational. Through her work, she creates spaces where innovation thrives, where trust is built, and where diverse voices are welcomed and amplified.

“But ECHO is more than an event. Thanks to Jen’s vision, it has evolved into a year-round platform. ECHO Digital extends the reach of these conversations, inviting professionals at all levels to engage in meaningful dialogue on topics ranging from equity and climate resilience to leadership and organizational culture. In a field where access to ideas and inspiration can be uneven, Jen has ensured that transformative content is within reach for all.”

Charette has been helping organisations navigate complex projects and big-picture planning for more than two decades. Her previous roles include serving as event manager for Brown University, manager of family programs for Roger Williams Park Zoo, and program coordinator for Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, among others.