Lee Ehmke

Lee Ehmke is the current CEO at the Houston Zoo. Prior to their current position, they served as the Immediate Past President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from January 2015 to February 2020. Before WAZA, Ehmke was the Director/CEO of the Minnesota Zoo from August 2000 to August 2015. Ehmke's career in zoology began as Associate Director of Planning and Design for the Wildlife Conservation Society from January 1988 to December 2000.

Lee Ehmke has a Masters of Landscape Architecture from University of California, Berkeley, a Juris Doctor from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley.

Lisa Marie Avendano - VP, Animal Operations, Peter Riger - VP, Conservation & Education, and Kristin Finney - VP, Human Resources report to Lee Ehmke.