Having been with Zoo Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, since 1990, Lisa New was appointed as president and CEO in 2013. She began working at Zoo Knoxville in the research department and has spent her entire career with the institution. She served as interim executive director from January 2013 for four months, after the retirement of longtime zoo director Jim Vlna, before taking on the role of president and CEO in May 2013.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to magnify the impact Knoxville Zoo has in our community,” she said in a statement after her appointment was announced. “My passion for wild animals and wild places inspires me to create the best experience we possibly can imagine for our visitors and hopefully spark a meaningful connection to the natural world. I have a strong team, a supportive and dynamic board of directors and I am looking forward to what we will accomplish.”
New previously served as the vice chair of the board of AZA (the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) before becoming chair in 2023. She has also served as vice-chair of the AZA Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan since 2001 and vice-chair of the AZA Gorilla Species Survival Plan since 2006. New has been a steering committee member of the AZA Ape Taxon Advisory Group since 2008 and an AZA Accreditation Inspector since 2011.
“She always worked with all the staff as equals to lift up the whole Zoo,” said one nominator. “She was right there working on the mesh on the top of the new gibbon habitat that was preparing to open and in the planning meetings for animal moves or procedures. Her passion and love for the Zoo got her promoted as she moved up within the zoo itself and the zoo profession. I owe my zoo career to her and I am sure many others do as well.”
In November 2023 Lisa was announced as Dallas Zoo’s first ever woman CEO. The zoo is both the oldest and largest zoo in Texas.
“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.”