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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 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 (2024-2025)

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