Michael Hogan brings deep financial experience and a passion for the outdoors and wildlife conservation to the Vital Ground board. He is a senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, where he has built a career spanning more than 25 years. Michael’s career began in the firm’s service center, and through hard work and a commitment to helping others, he advanced to become a Senior Vice President.
Born and raised in Maryland, Michael has been a lifelong lover of the outdoors and feels most at home in the mountains. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder. An avid skier and hiker, he has a deep appreciation for wild landscapes and the importance of protecting them for future generations. His travels throughout the United States and all over the world have further strengthened his appreciation for natural places, wildlife and the diverse environments that sustain them. A lifelong animal lover, Michael is particularly drawn to Vital Ground’s mission of protecting habitat for grizzly bears and the many other species that depend upon healthy, connected ecosystems.
Michael is married to Amie Zawacki, M.D., and is the proud father of two adult children, Talon and Yarrow. With his first grandchild expected in November, he feels an even greater connection to the importance of preserving wild places for generations to come. Michael is honored to serve on the Vital Ground board and looks forward to bringing his professional experience, love of the outdoors and commitment to conservation to the organization’s work.