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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.
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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 Board and Committee Members
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
Jonathan Niemeyer
Katie O’Brien
Paaras Parker **
Jen Ragland
Daniel Rajaiah *
Pam Rossmann
Anya Sanchez
Dr. Dotty Shaffer
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
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:
Kelly Bonnell
Ambassador Council Members:
Alex Blust
Maggie Brennan
Patrick Cartier
Danielle Donelan
Eli Garland
David Habel
Libby Heil
Andrew Kiley
Meera Kotagal
Josh Martin
Afua Nantwi
Kailyn Neat
Lauren Niestradt
Meeka Owens
Kyle Plageman
Sam Rittgers
Emily Rotella
Zach Scheid
Megan Schultz
Erik Smith
David Snopkowski
Emily Terlau
Alana Tucker
Ashley Volbrecht
Amber Wasinski
Wes Westberry
Mariel Wood
Jerome Wright
Thomas Xanders
Michael Young