Milwaukee County Zoo - Update

As deputy director of administration and finance at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Vera oversees all finance/administrative activities for the Zoo including accounting, budgeting, data processing, human resources, business office activities, capital project development, procurement, accounts payable/receivable, cash management and two trust funds. She manages a $26 million budget and 19 full-time/seasonal employees. Vera is also chair of MCZ's Green Committee.

Prior to MCZ, Vera served for fifteen years at the Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services, as a fiscal and management analyst. While there, she administered Milwaukee County's $1 billion budget, analyzing and making recommendations for fiscal and policy changes to over 22 County departments including public safety, health, administrative and cultural.

Vera earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and communications from Concordia University, Mequon, WI.

Vera's Favorite Zoo Animal and Why:
"It is so hard to pick a favorite animal because the Zoo has so many amazing animals to pick from large to small in size."

If Vera Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, She Would Be a:
"I would be a doctor. The human body is so fascinating and complex and the learning never ends especially with all of the ongoing advances in medicine."