Curtis Bennett has served as director of equity and community engagement at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, since January 2019, and has been with the institution since 2014.
Along with his team at the National Aquarium, Bennett is responsible for developing long-lasting relationships with local residents and stakeholders, collaborating with them to develop environmental programs and projects that meet the needs of the community. He also makes sure that the organisation integrates and applies principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice within its conservation mission.
Bennett started his career in environmental education and community engagement in 2003 as a naturalist at the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and has also previously worked for the Delaware Nature Society. He has a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and policy with a concentration in wildlife ecology and management from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware.
“Curtis brings insightful questions, experience, and thoughtful consideration to every conversation or discussion he has,” said one of the people who nominated Bennett. “He is a leading voice not only in the diversity and inclusion space, but in our zoo and aquarium industry as a whole and is making others realize that we need to consider Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in every aspect of running and staffing our organizations.
“Curtis continues to accept more opportunities to lead and mentor in AZA and never disappoints. He continually checks on those of us not in management roles at our institutions, and encourages us to move forward and helps brainstorms ways for us to make impacts at our institutions. Curtis brings so much to the zoo and aquarium field as a whole and AZA specifically, and his presence and vast knowledge enrich these spaces in monumental ways.”