The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is pleased to announce Lisa New, president and CEO of Zoo Knoxville, as the new chair of the AZA board of directors.
“Lisa brings a special authenticity and energy to the position at a crucial time when we are tackling the biggest challenges facing our community. Her leadership and understanding of the zoological profession will make her an effective chair, and I look forward to working with her to accomplish our collective goals,” said AZA president Dan Ashe.
New was named chief executive officer of Zoo Knoxville in May 2013. A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a master’s in ethology (animal behavior), she first joined Zoo Knoxville’s Conservation Science staff and later was promoted to senior director of Animal Care and Conservation.
She also has a long history of working with the AZA. With a background in great ape behavior, she served as vice-chair of the AZA Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan for over a decade and vice-chair of the AZA Gorilla Species Survival Plan for eight years. She has remained a management group member of the AZA Ape Taxon Advisory Group since 2008 and has been an accreditation inspector for over 10 years.
You can follow this year’s journey and stay informed about AZA’s initiatives via New’s blog at https://zooknoxville.org/lisa-new-99th-aza-board-chair/.
Zoo Knoxville provided information for this story.