Georgeanne Irvine is director of historical affairs for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. In her 48-plus years with the Alliance, she has been an inspiring storyteller for wildlife in many capacities, including positions in public relations, marketing, philanthropy, media relations, book publishing and editing, and more, as she shares our stories with audiences around the world. She also writes the award-winning Hope & Inspiration children’s book series. Georgeanne was featured in the September issue of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal, and here is more of her story.

In addition to being a storyteller on behalf of wildlife and conservation, is there anything else about your work at the Alliance that has had an impact on your life?
I feel like the most fortunate person on Earth, because my job has allowed me the privilege of traveling around the world. Seeing wildlife in their native habitats and exploring so many different cultures has most certainly enriched my life. I've lectured on tours around the globe twice and led many Alliance tours to places like Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Madagascar), India, Australia, and China. Various work projects have also taken me to Indonesia, England, and back to Australia.

What do you hope your legacy will be?
Ever since I was a child and throughout my life, I've been a storyteller. When I started working in public relations for the San Diego Zoo more than 48 years ago, the opportunity to become a voice for our wildlife and our worldwide conservation efforts became first and foremost in my career, as well as a lifelong passion. In my recent position as director of publishing for the Alliance, I oversaw a variety of book projects but also wrote our award-winning, nonfiction Hope & Inspiration children's book collection. The Hope & Inspiration books are true stories about real animals that live or have lived at the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park. Many of the individuals in these books have overcome challenges in their lives. The whole idea is to connect children with individual animals and their stories, like Karen the orangutan, Omeo the koala, or Moka the tiger. When youngsters get to know and relate to these animals, the hope is that they will be inspired to care about that animal, the animal's species, and wildlife in general.

Many parents write to me about Karen's Heart: The True Story of a Brave Baby Orangutan, which is the story of a baby orangutan at the San Diego Zoo who had a hole in her heart and survived open-heart surgery. I receive many comments similar to this one: "I just have to tell you how much my daughter and I have enjoyed your book, Karen's Heart. I bought her the book and plush last week, and we've read it every night!!! My daughter has had two open heart surgeries. She was an infant when the surgeries were performed, but she is aware she had them. Your book has given my daughter a perspective of her surgeries that I have had difficulty explaining to her."

One grandmother sent me a detailed story about her newborn grandson, who had a heart attack when he was 10 weeks old. Thankfully, the boy survived after several open-heart surgeries and is now in grade school. The grandmother explained how meaningful the Karen book is to her "miracle grandson."

At book signings and community talks, children tell me that the books have inspired them to become veterinarians or wildlife care specialists. One child walked up, hugged me, and then told me that she loves me and loves all animals. Two young brothers sent me their PowerPoint book report about Ruuxa & Raina: A Cheetah and Dog's True Story of Friendship and Miracles.

The bottom line: When readers' hearts are touched by the animals featured in the Hope & Inspiration books, my heart is touched, too.

Do you have mentors in your career who inspired and supported you?
I have three mentors who stand out to me, and sadly all three have passed away, but they live in my heart forever. One was Carole Towne Seaton, who was public relations manager for the Zoo in 1978 and hired me as a public relations assistant. Carole believed in me and helped me believe in myself. After a few years on the job, a major book publisher approached the Zoo about creating a series of six children's books for first graders. They wanted to use our San Diego Zoo photos to illustrate the books, but they told Carole they needed an author to write them. Carole suggested me, and the next thing I knew, I had a contract to write the six books. My dream had come true, and now I've written 30 children's books.

Another inspiration was Shari Lewis, the famous ventriloquist and puppeteer, and the "mother" of Lamb Chop. What many people didn't realize, though, is that she was also a talented musician, a symphony orchestra conductor, and a children's book author, had an incredible sense of humor, and could truly do anything she put her mind to. She coached me about writing books and the book business and helped my confidence grow. Over the years, she became a confidant and role model for me.

And of course, Jane Goodall. I met Jane in the early 1980s when she came to the San Diego Zoo to do a book signing. Over the years, our paths crossed often, and she became a dear friend and mentor. In the early 1990s, two of my friends ran her Jane Goodall Institute chimpanzee orphanage in Burundi, Central Africa. I spent time at the orphanage in 1992 and 1993, photographing the chimps and researching their stories for a children's book. Jane once told me that if we would only give Mother Earth a chance, she will heal. She also said that if everybody did something—no matter how small—to protect our planet, together we could save our precious Earth. Jane has always been a big inspiration to me, and her words of wisdom have helped guide my career.