| As a valued member of our San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance family, we wanted you to be among the first to hear some exciting news. We’re proud to announce that, following an extensive global search, Shawn Dixon has been named the new president and chief executive officer (CEO) of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
You may already know Shawn. A proud San Diegan and dedicated leader, Shawn has served as our interim president and CEO for the last seven months, and as chief operating officer for nine years before that, playing a key role in shaping our organization’s future. His unwavering passion for the San Diego community and wildlife conservation shines through in the experiences you enjoy at both the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Shawn’s leadership has been essential in creating beloved habitats including Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, Walkabout Australia, Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and the largest project in our history, Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, which is slated to open at the Safari Park in early 2026. Shawn deeply understands the vital connection between the work we do locally and our impact on global conservation—and how the unforgettable moments you share here with wildlife each day help inspire and fuel this mission.
We look forward to embarking on this next chapter with you and are deeply grateful for your continued support, which makes everything we do possible. Thank you for being a special part of our family. | 
