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Cincinnati Zoo Director Dave Jenike

Zoo Director Dave Jenike has been integral to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s success in the three decades that he has been part of its history.

He is known for his love of wildlife, commitment to education and dedication to working with communities to achieve wildlife conservation goals through co-existence.

He has developed innovative programs to connect families and communities with wildlife.   His focus on visitor experience has helped transform the Zoo, bringing together the best of a vibrant botanical garden with the wonder inspired by a wildlife encounter with a penguin or feeding a giraffe.

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He’s a lifelong resident of Ohio, born in Cincinnati and graduated from Miami University in Oxford where he earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in environmental science.  As co-founder of Miami University’s Earth Expeditions program, Jenike’s work has led to conservation success across the globe earning recognition from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), where he is an active member.

Jenike’s past professional affiliations include adjunct teaching at Cincinnati and Miami Universities, board participation for Uptown Consortium, and project direction for multiple IMLS-funded projects with focuses on Access & Inclusion, Connecting Families to Nature, and Inspiring Action through Wildlife Encounters.  He is a member of Cincinnati Chamber’s Leadership Cincinnati class of 36.

When he’s not at the Zoo, Jenike can be found birding, hiking, reading, traveling the world, or talking about Aldo Leopold.

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

2026 Executive Committee2026 Trustees2026 Foundation Board of DirectorsAmbassador Council Members (2025-2026)

2026 Executive Committee

Tim Bonacci, Executive Committee Chairman

George Joseph, Vice Chairman

Jack Oliver, Treasurer

Anya Sanchez, Secretary

Chris Bevacqua, Chief Communications Messenger

Thane Maynard, Executive Chairman

George Molinsky, Chairman Emeritus

Austin Heidt

Brett Heekin

Lela Coffey

Sarah Anderson
Meredith Borchers
Jen Castellini **
Bob Coughlin
Lucy Christensen-Davis
Austin Heidt
Gigi Heidt
Peter Klekamp
Jan Michele Kearney **
Allison Kropp
Gary Mitchell
Adam Mueller
Jonathan Niemeyer
Katie O’Brien
Paaras Parker **
Jen Ragland
Daniel Rajaiah *
Pam Rossmann
Anya Sanchez
Dotty Shaffer
Matt Sheakley
Valarie Sheppard
Albert Smitherman
Greg Taylor
Carla Walker *
John J. Williams
Ex-Officio Mayor Aftab Pureval
* Appointed by Cincinnati City Coun

Executive Committee

Patrick Dolle, Chairman
Chris Hock, Vice Chairman
Aaron Herzig, Secretary
Linnea Bonacci, Treasurer
Otto Budig, Chairman Emeritus

Directors

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:

Andrew Kiley

Ambassador Council Members:

Alex Blust

Maggie Brennan

Patrick Cartier

Jada Colon

Danielle Donelan Woods

Elijah Garland

Libby Heil

Andrew Kiley

Josh Martin

Chase Martin

Afua Nantwi

Kailyn Neat

Lauren Niestradt

Andrew Nordquist

Meeka Owens

Vincent Panarelli

Carrie Pastor

Kyle Plageman

Alexandra Raphael

Emily Rotella

Zachary Scheid

Megan Schultz

Jessica Siemer

Erik Smith

David Snopkowski

Emily Terlau

Alana Tucker

Ashley Volbrecht

Amber Wasinski

Wes Westberry

Mariel Wood

Jerome Wright

Thomas Xanders

Questions: contact [email protected]