August 6th Luncheon

This luncheon will be at Maggiano's!!

Speaker: Lisa Peterson

President and CEO of the Houston Zoo

Lisa Peterson is President and CEO of the Houston Zoo, leading a conservation organization that welcomes more than two million guests annually while advancing impactful wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. Under her leadership, the Zoo contributes to efforts including the recovery of the Houston toad and gorilla conservation in Rwanda.

With 27 years of executive leadership experience, Peterson previously served as the first woman Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There, she helped advance conservation efforts for species ranging from platypus, rhinos, lions, and elephants to California condors, mountain lions, and burrowing owls. She also championed community-based conservation through artisan partnerships that empowered women in Kenya and led the development of the transformative Elephant Valley project.

At the Houston Zoo, Peterson is elevating signature experiences such as the Galápagos Islands and Texas Wetlands habitats while advancing access and belonging through the Zoo for All initiative. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of its Animal Population Management and Finance Committees. She also serves on the Council of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), as a member of its Executive Committee and Chair of its Finance Committee.

Peterson began her career with leadership roles at Apple and White Lodging and remains deeply committed to developing the next generation of conservation leaders. Through global partnerships and innovative conservation strategies, she continues to position the Houston Zoo as a leader in biodiversity conservation, education, and community engagement.