Portland, Oregon via-Wasilla, Alaska-based band “Portugal. The Man” released their most recent album, Evil Friends, produced by Danger Mouse, last year. The band has grown a considerable fan base in the U.S. and worldwide through nonstop headline tours. They have played at major festivals including Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Growing up in the wilderness of Alaska, lead singer John Gourley and bass player Zach Carothers developed a deep appreciation for the natural world which has heavily influenced the band’s music and videos.

Pamela Baker-Masson became Associate Director of Communications at the National Zoo in April 2007. Pamela came to the Zoo from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, where she served as Director for Community Outreach and Public Affairs. In this capacity, she oversaw all external outreach efforts, including media relations, website, newsletter, marketing, and branding initiatives for the organization and serving as spokesperson. During her tenure at the Africa Center, she initiated in-country programs to foster long-term relationships with the extended Africa Center community and domestic programs to engage and facilitate dialogue with the diplomatic corps and other strategic stakeholders.

Pamela has more than 22 years of experience in communications, media relations, development, and marketing. She earned her professional accreditation from the Public Relations Society of America and earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.