The Dallas Zoo in Texas has announced Lisa New as its first-ever female CEO. She has served as president and CEO of Zoo Knoxville for the past 10 years.
In a statement on Facebook, the zoo said New was selected after a “comprehensive national executive search” for a new leader.
“Lisa will be making history as the first female leader in the Dallas Zoo’s 135-year history,” the zoo said. “She is a well-respected and recognized leader among the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) community and is currently serving in a yearlong term as the chair of the AZA board of directors.”
New CEO of Texas’ oldest and largest zoo
New will be the first female CEO in the Dallas Zoo’s 135-year history. She is replacing former Dallas Zoo president and CEO Gregg Hudson, who died of cancer earlier this year. Hudson was the zoo’s leader from 2006.
“Lisa is the right leader for such a monumental and exciting time for our Dallas Zoo. She brings a wealth of experience leading an organization through transformational change, having overseen ambitious campus planning, rebranding, capital campaign, and exhibit upgrade efforts at Zoo Knoxville,” said the zoo in a statement (via Fox 4).
The 106-acre Dallas Zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. It was founded in 1888 as the first zoo in the Southwest with just two deer and two mountain lions.
The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). It provides a home for more than 2,000 animals and welcomes more than one million guests every year.
New will take over as CEO on 15 January 2024.
Images courtesy of the Dallas Zoo
