Diversity Committee

Mission

Provides advocacy, resources and education regarding diversity and inclusion

Chair
Dean Watanabe, Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Vice-Chairs
Curtis Bennett, III, National Aquarium
Jessica Niven-Kohring, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Members
Susan Altrui, Little Rock Zoo
Rubai Aurora, Woodland Park Zoo
Jose Bacallao, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Curtis Bennett, III, National Aquarium
Jared Bixby, Sunset Zoo
Cassandra Brown-Ray, Saint Louis Zoo
Amanda Felix, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Laura Klopfer, Smithsonian National Zoo
Courtenay Lewandowski, South Carolina Aquarium 
Lindsay Mathisen, Brevard Zoo
Amy Miller, Steinhart Aquarium
Jessica    Niven-Kohring, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Mara-Lynne Payne, Tennessee Aquarium
Lisa Peterson, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Krissy Preval, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
LaDora Robinson-Locke, Lincoln Park Zoo
Hannah Rupert, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Melinda Shutler, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Jason Stover, SSA
Roger Torbert, Birmingham Zoo
Dean Watanabe, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Jasmine Williams, Seattle Aquarium
Margarita Woc Colburn, Nashville Zoo
Staci Wong, Aquarium of the Pacific
Gina Woods, Disney Conservation/ Animals, Science & Environment

Advisors
Robert Davis, DRMD Strategies
Chimene Grant Saloy, Audubon Zoo
Craig Jacobs, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Gail Lash, Ursa International
Jo-Elle Mogerman, Saint Louis Zoo
Grayson Ponti, Dallas Zoo

Board Liaison
Denise Verret, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

AZA Staff Liaisons
Jack Keeney
Craig Hoover