Diversity Committee

Mission

Provides advocacy, resources and education regarding diversity and inclusion

Chair
Curtis Bennett, III, National Aquarium

Vice-Chairs
Jessica Niven-Kohring, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Mara-Lynne Payne, Tennessee Aquarium

Members
Elkin Alfred, Denver Zoo
Susan Altrui, Little Rock Zoo
Rubai Aurora, Woodland Park Zoo
Jose Bacallao, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Curtis Bennett III, National Aquarium
Jared Bixby, Sunset Zoological Park
Cassandra Brown-Ray, Saint Louis Zoo
Annie Evans Bennett, Event Network, LLC
Chimene Grant Saloy, Audubon Nature Institute
Ana Hernandez, AFH Design LLC
Amanda Hodo, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Courtenay Lewandowski, South Carolina Aquarium
Lindsay Mathisen, Brevard Zoo
De'Andrea Matthews, Detroit Zoological Society
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
Grayson, Ponti, Dallas Zoo
Krissy Preval, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Hannah Rupert, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Melinda Shutler, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Jason Stover, SSA Group
James Chase Stryhal, SEA LIFE- Grapevine
Roger Torbert, Nashville Zoo, Inc
Dean Watanabe, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Jasmine Williams, Seattle Aquarium
Ana Woc Colburn, Nashville Zoo, Inc
Staci Wong, Aquarium of the Pacific
Gina Woods, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Advisors
Craig Jacobs, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Gail Lash, Ursa International
Jo-Elle Mogerman, Saint Louis Zoo
Amy Rutherford, Birmingham Zoo

Board Liaison
Douglas Piekarz, Akron Zoological Park

AZA Staff Liaisons
Jack Keeney
Craig Hoover