Spring Fellow Misha Body ’98 on Embracing the Windy Path

On Friday, May 1, Zoologist and Conservationist Misha Body ’98 returned to Hopkins as the Spring Alumna Fellow. 

During an all-school assembly, Body shared wisdom about authenticity, embracing the unexpected, and leadership that she has learned on her own windy path to her current role as Deputy Zoo Director for Animals and Experiences at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Throughout her speech, Body encouraged students to lean into the things that make them unique. 

"It takes owning your own quirkiness and uniqueness to be true to yourself,” she said. “It means being honest about being imperfect and not knowing everything. Being authentic makes you a better leader, and it also makes you memorable, more fun, and way less stressed about what other people think of you," she added.

Body explained that over the course of her career, she has realized that taking care of people is essential in their shared goals of conservation education and awareness. 

“When people ask me what my job entails, I don’t say that I take care of animals. I say that I take care of the people that take care of the animals and the guests,” she explained. “For them to do their best work, my coworkers need support, and they need an environment where they can thrive.”

Body also shared that her idea of leadership is to unlock the potential of others. She said that when her team feels supported, they can focus their efforts on the work, not interpersonal drama. With a clearly-articulated vision and expectations from leadership, they can all work toward the same goal. 

Body reassured students that it’s normal not to have all the answers in high school about their career

"The path from this hill to wherever you're going is unlikely to be a straight line. It'll be a series of pivots, mistakes and unexpected discoveries," she said.

Body encouraged them to try many things, discover what brings joy and what comes naturally, learn from mistakes and missteps, and use those experiences to adjust your path forward. 

Body ended her speech with a poignant description of the humble goat in honor of the Hopkins mascot. 

“Goats are social, yet independent creatures. They stand up like a leader does for their herd mates. They're curious and intelligent, playful and agile. They wander and explore when given the chance. And when they bleat, it’s not only a hilarious sound, but it also makes you perk up and listen. They know who they are and they make no apologies," she said.

Following assembly, Body spent time with students and faculty at a brunch reception, and visited Jen Geel’s Biology II class.

Watch Body’s full assembly address in the video below.

With degrees in Zoology and Biology from Connecticut College and Miami University, Body began her career as a wild animal keeper at the Bronx Zoo. From that hands-on start, she expanded her impact through leadership roles at the California Science Center, the San Diego Zoo, and now the Los Angeles Zoo, moving from caring for individual animals to helping guide major institutions. She currently oversees teams of veterinarians, animal care professionals, educators, and operations staff, all while balancing animal welfare, education, visitor experiences, and long-term strategy. 

Established in 2005, the Hopkins Fellows program enriches the student experience by connecting alumni with current students through assemblies, discussions, and classroom visits—continuing the School’s tradition of fostering intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, and critical thinking.