Chief Executive Officer

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leading nonprofit conservation, education, and animal-care institution dedicated to inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations. DZCA will mark its 130th anniversary in 2026. DZCA serves as a beloved cultural destination, a trusted conservation partner, and a hub for scientific innovation. It operates at the intersection of public trust and enterprise complexity, serving as a civic institution while stewarding a large, multifaceted conservation and guest-facing operation.

Each year, DZCA welcomes over 1.8 million guests, engaging families, students, members, and visitors from across the Rocky Mountain region. DZCA stewards a campus of more than 2,500 animals representing 450 species. Its multidisciplinary staff includes conservationists, educators, animal-care experts, and operational professionals who bring a shared commitment to wildlife protection and community-centered conservation.

DZCA invests in scientific research, habitat restoration, species recovery, and environmental education, while strengthening its role as a convening voice on biodiversity, climate resilience, and human-wildlife coexistence. DZCA is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is American Humane Certified.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $80–90 million, DZCA manages a robust portfolio of conservation programs across Colorado and internationally, advancing fieldwork, capacity building, and community-based partnerships.

You can learn more by visiting the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance website at www.denverzoo.org

Additional Context & Institutional Highlights:

• Historic Urban Campus: Located in Denver’s City Park, DZCA spans 84 acres and has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape since 1896.
• Community Engagement: DZCA serves more than 250,000 learners annually through education programs, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.
• Conservation Footprint: DZCA supports conservation initiatives on multiple continents focused on species recovery, human-wildlife coexistence, and capacity building.
• Innovation & Sustainability: DZCA continues to invest in future-focused infrastructure, sustainability efforts, and guest experience improvements to meet evolving community expectations and environmental realities.
• Financial Scale & Stewardship: With an annual operating budget of approximately $80–90 million, DZCA manages a complex enterprise balancing mission, guest experience, conservation impact, and long-term capital planning.
• SCFD Support
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  As one of the largest beneficiaries of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)—the voter-approved tax district supporting arts, culture, and science organizations across the seven-county metro region—DZCA receives critical public funding that reinforces its ability to serve the community, keep access equitable, and advance its conservation and education mission.

DZCA seeks a seasoned, mission-driven President & Chief Executive Officer to lead DZCA through its next phase of stability, strategic execution, and long-term growth.

The CEO will serve as the enterprise leader responsible for aligning animal care, conservation science, education, philanthropy, guest experience, and operations under a clear and executable vision. This leader will inherit a strong foundation and guide DZCA through continued organizational alignment, leadership stabilization, and strategy execution.

The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to the Board of Governors; a steady, visible presence within the Denver community; and a respected voice across regional and national conservation, cultural, and nonprofit sectors. The CEO will model transparent, values-driven leadership while ensuring DZCA remains both a beloved public institution and a high-performing conservation organization.

As a trusted leader in conservation science, wildlife care, and experiential learning, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is poised for its next chapter, one that leverages a strong foundation, a loyal membership base, expanding community partnerships, and a growing national reputation. With a century of…