Summer Ritner

For over a decade, Summer Ritner has been a noteworthy leader in the nonprofit space. Serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of The Belle Isle Aquarium at the Belle Isle Conservancy, Summer plays a major role in organizational development, program development and management, and historic preservation. Through her commitment to this role, she has helped the Conservancy create and sustain important programming, develop and implement organizational best practices, and revitalize and professionalize the oldest aquarium in North America.

Summer was honored as a recipient of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under 40 award for her dedication and work in preserving and revitalizing the Belle Isle Aquarium, while keeping it free to over 150,000 visitors a year.

 She holds undergraduate degrees in organizational psychology and statistics from California State University, Sacramento and a Juris Doctor degree with a specialized certificate in alternative dispute resolution from Willamette University College of Law. Since moving to Michigan in 2012 Summer has resided in Detroit with her pack of dogs and cats.