Awards

IU Indianapolis Spirit of Philanthropy Award - 2012

About Wayne Zink

Born in Phoenix, Ariz., Wayne Zink received his B.S. in psychology from Grand Canyon University and his M.S. in psychology and counseling from Prescott College. While at Prescott, he founded Options for Living Successfully with HIV, a rural community-based service for those whose lives have been touched by HIV.

Zink is president of Endangered Species Chocolate Foundation (ESCF), the charitable arm of Endangered Species Chocolate LLC (ESC), were he serves as chairman of the board. ESCF provides grants to ESC’s non-profit conservation partners and funds on-the-ground sustainability projects in areas where ESC cocoa is grown. Prior to transitioning his attentions to ESCF, Zink led ESC as CEO, helping grow the company into one of the top selling natural chocolate brands in the USA. Currently serving on the board of directors, Wayne continues a close relationship with ESC.

He also serves as president of the Back Home Again Foundation, an Indiana family foundation co-founded in 1998 with partner Randy Deer. Back Home Again Foundation makes grants to non-profits working in hunger relief, conservation, homelessness, at-risk youth, the environment and the arts. He is also a partner of DZ Enterprises and a director of Interactions Incorporated.

An active community member and noted Indianapolis philanthropist, Zink is on the board of directors of The Nature Conservancy; a member of the GreenPrint Natural Resource Stewardship Committee in Indianapolis; a former board member of the Indianapolis Museum of Art; the former chairman of the board of Dance Kaleidoscope; and a past president and board member of Jameson Camp. He assists as an adviser to Second Helpings, Step Up, the Damien Center and the Chrysalis Academy and is on the Herron School of Art Dean’s Advisory Council. Zink also serves on the board of the Indiana Aids Fund.

Zink's philanthropic spirit has extended to the IU community. He serves as a member of the Herron School of Art and Design's Advisory Board. He and Deer also established Herron's first minority scholarship fund, hosted events on the school's behalf, and supported the John Herron Society. In 2005, they made a generous gift to Herron’s capital campaign in support of Eskenazi Hall. In 2011, they once again demonstrated their dedication through a leadership gift to Herron’s operating endowment, and inspired others to do the same.