KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zoo Knoxville CEO and President Lisa New is heading to Dallas.
New will start as Dallas Zoo's CEO on Jan. 15, 2024. She will be the first female CEO in the zoo's 135-year history.
New has served as the CEO and president of Zoo Knoxville for 10 years.
“Our search committee felt we had an enormous task in front of us back in May when we began a national search for the Dallas Zoo’s next leader. Lisa quickly rose to the top of our list given her impressive career accomplishments that represent everything we were seeking in our new CEO,” Chair of the Dallas Zoo Board of Directors Dawn Moore said. “We found ourselves with the opportunity to bring in a well-respected and recognized leader with the ideal mix of skills to propel our Dallas Zoo to the next level, and we jumped at the chance. We can’t wait to see what Lisa and our talented Dallas Zoo team will achieve!”
New began at the Knoxville Zoo in an entry-level position. She ascended into leadership roles and eventually landed as the president and CEO.
New led the Knoxville Zoo through a comprehensive campus master plan, a marketing and rebranding effort, a $39 million capital campaign and some of the "most ambitious" construction projects in the zoo's history, according to Zoo Knoxville.
“It is a great honor and responsibility to be entrusted with the legacy that is Dallas Zoo,” New said. “During my initial meetings with the search committee, it quickly became apparent that the Dallas team and I shared the same values. That is, a strong commitment to the wellbeing of our animals, our staff, and our guests to foster a culture that engages our community and protects wildlife. Several years ago, my friend and mentor, the late Gregg Hudson, inspired me to align my passion, profession, vocation and mission; if you are good at it, if the world needs it, and you get paid for it, that’s not a livelihood, that is your purpose. It has guided me ever since, and I am excited to begin this chapter with an iconic institution that has a long history of setting the standard that others follow.”