Dan Ashe

Dan Ashe has dedicated his career to enhancing the impact of zoos and aquariums in conservation, education, and animal welfare. As president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), he has guided the organisation with a focus on excellence, collaboration, and inclusivity. During his tenure, AZA’s accreditation programme has remained the global benchmark for animal care and welfare. Ashe emphasises that upholding these high standards is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring accredited institutions serve as leaders in conservation and ethics.

A key achievement during Ashe’s leadership is AZA’s SAFE—Saving Animals From Extinction—initiative. Started in 2015, SAFE brings together AZA-accredited facilities, government agencies, and conservation partners to work jointly in protecting endangered species. Through this collaborative approach, AZA exceeded its target of creating 50 SAFE species programmes well before the deadline. Ashe highlights that the programme’s true strength is not just in numbers but in the collective power of its network—institutions of various sizes uniting to make a tangible difference for wildlife.

Equity and inclusion are core to Ashe’s vision for AZA’s future. He has promoted leadership development initiatives that elevate diverse voices and guaranteed that smaller organisations have real opportunities to participate in AZA’s mission. Through fostering inclusivity and a sense of shared purpose, he is helping the organisation better reflect and serve its international community.

Ashe has advocated for AZA to redefine animal welfare as holistic well-being, encompassing physical, psychological, and social needs. He understands that the public wants zoos and aquariums to show that animals are thriving, not just surviving. With his vision and integrity, Dan Ashe is guiding AZA to become a vibrant, innovative, and compassionate leader for wildlife and people globally.