icon of person Membership icon of ticket Buy Tickets

Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard

Thane Maynard is internationally known for his dedication to wildlife preservation, research, and education. He has authored more than a dozen books, the most recent, “Hope For Animals & Their World,” was coauthored with Jane Goodall. He has also shared science and environmental news via his nationally syndicated radio program, “The 90-Second Naturalist,” since 1987.

Expand for more

Maynard’s travels to promote biological diversity, natural history, and wildlife conservation have spanned five continents and earned him a membership in the Explorers Club.  He is an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Margo Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, a primate conservation fund headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Born and raised in central Florida, Thane earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fl., and his master’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources.  He is also a graduate of the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at the Harvard Business School, as well as the first National Education Leadership Institute sponsored by WWF and Disney.

Zoo Director Thane Maynard holding a small alligator in front of a large rock

Zoo Board and Committee Members

2025 Executive Committee2025 Trustees2025 Foundation Board of DirectorsAmbassador Council Members (2022-2023)

George Molinsky, Chairman

George Joseph, Vice Chairman

Tim Bonacci, Treasurer

Jack Oliver, Secretary

Stuart Dornette, Legal Counsel

 

Chris Bevacqua

Cathy Crain

Brett Heekin

Lela Coffey

Sarah Anderson

Chris Bevacqua

Meredith Borchers

Doug Brendamour

Jen Castellini **

Bob Coughlin

Lucy Christensen-Davis

Brett Heekin

Austin Heidt

Gigi Heidt

Peter Klekamp

Jan Michele Kearney **

Tim Massa

Gary Mitchell

Adam Mueller

Katie O’Brien

Paaras Parker **

Mike Prescott

Daniel Rajaiah *

Pam Rossmann

Anya Sanchez

Matt Sheakley

Valarie Sheppard

Albert Smitherman

Greg Taylor

Linda Lee Thomas

Carla Walker *

John J. Williams

 

Ex-Officio Mayor Aftab Pureval

 

* Appointed by Cincinnati City Council

** Appointed by Hamilton County | Terms Jan – Dec

Executive Committee

Patrick Dolle, Chairman

Chris Hock, Vice Chairman

Aaron Herzig, Secretary

Sarah Zamary, Treasurer

Otto Budig, Chairman Emeritus

Directors

Linnea Bonacci

Marc Dizard

John Dovich

Katie Heekin

Chris Hock

Donald Hudson

Leah Lepof

Sally Leyman

George Musekamp

Jane Novak Cook

Cora Ogle

Ashwin Ramprasad

Bill Witten

 

Portfolio Managers: Ft. Washington Investments

Ambassador Council Chair:

Meera Kotagal

Ambassador Council Members:

Steven Bishop
Anna Miller
Alex Blust
Christina Misali
Kelly Bonnell
Sam Rittgers
Maggie Brennan
Emily Rotella
Brian Butt
Aditya Roy-Chaudhury
Sara Cooperrider
David Snopkowski
Danielle Donelan
Hannah Sublett
Ryan English
Marcus Thompson
Aleicia Ennis
Katie Tranter
David Habel
Alana Tucker
Dominic Iacobucci
Ashley Volbrecht
Andrew Kiley
Mariel Wood
Jerome Wright
Josh Martin
Thomas Xanders
Michael Young