Zoo Ball 2025: Enchanted Forests
Celebrating Forest Animals Around the World
On Sat., Oct. 25, Zoo Ball 2025 – Enchanted Forests raised vital funds for the Houston Zoo. At this year’s black-tie gala, a crowd of more than 600 Houstonians braved the rain and were welcomed to Houston Zoo’s Masihara Pavilion and raised more than $2.1 million to support the Zoo. This year’s event, chaired by the Goosen Family: Kathy and Marty Goosen, Lacey and Matthew Gossen and Catherine and Jay Goossen, was themed to celebrate the forest animals around the world and welcomed honoree and former Houston Zoo President and CEO Lee Ehmke.
The partygoers turned up the volume on gowns and glamour as they got to meet and mingle with ambassador animals including Clark the macaw. The Zoo transformed its tented event space, Masihara Pavilion, into an elegant ballroom. City Kitchen served a delectable multi-course dinner beginning with haricots verts salad with artichoke, chives, frisée, and verjus vinaigrette followed by seared sea bass with roasted grape and basil beurre blanc and red quinoa pilaf and Aunt Etta chocolate cake with crème anglaise, raspberries and cinnamon gelato.
Houston Zoo President and CEO Lisa Peterson expressed her gratitude for the generosity of the Houston community and this year’s leading underwriters. She also took a moment to recognize honoree Lee Ehmke, who oversaw the Zoo’s breathtaking transformation during his decade-long tenure as President & CEO.
During this year’s silent auction, chaired by Courtney and Bas Solleveld, guests bid on items during cocktail hour with the highest bid going for a Humboldt penguin encounter for $10,000. After dinner, a spirited live auction called by auctioneer Logan Thomas highlighted competitive items. A four-night stay for 18 people at a private home in Puerto Vallarta went for $20,000. A six-night stay and excursion package for six people at a private home in Aspen went for $17,500. A private TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights party for 25 guests at the Zoo’s brand-new indoor event space, John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Reflections Event Hall and Terrace, was sold twice for a total of $19,000. Naming rights for the Zoo’s okapi calf went for $21,000 in a lively bidding war. Following the live auction, guests gave generously to the tune of $259,250 during the Paddle Raise. A generous match of $110,000, led by Dee Methvin, in memory of emeritus board chair Stacy Methvin, and Kerry Galvin, doubled donors’ impact.
The After Party, sponsored by PNC for the third year in a row, was chaired by Anna Gryska. Late-night bites, open bars and dancing featuring The Drywater Band kept revelers dancing until midnight, even as rain rolled through. Departing guests were treated to Armando’s taco truck and Paulie’s cookies.
The funds raised at Zoo Ball support the Zoo’s animal care, education, and wildlife-saving efforts.
Faces in the crowd: Houston Zoo CEO Lisa Peterson and Alec Peterson, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Catherine and Jay Goossen, Courtney and Bas Solleveld, Anna Gryska, Carey Kirkpatrick and Neil Hershey, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Carina and Brooks Antweil. Courtney and Zac Harmon, Monica Kuraturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy, Dana, Daryl and Olivia Kenningham, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Kelley and Steve Lubanko
