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Woodland Park Zoo president and CEO resigns

By Web Staff
Woodland Park Zoo Society president and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen announced her resignation Monday. Her resignation will be effective at the end of July.
By Web Staff

SEATTLE, Wash. — Woodland Park Zoo Society president and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen announced her resignation Monday. Her resignation will be effective at the end of July.

“On behalf of the Zoo Society, I want to express our deep gratitude for Dr. Jensen’s 13 years of leadership at the zoo through a period of dynamic change and growth. She has successfully led the zoo through a change of management from the City of Seattle to the Society and leaves a financially strong organization with more than 40,000 member households, an operating budget of $36 million and a $12 million endowment," said a news release issued Monday.
The zoo's Chief Operations Officer Bruce Bohmke will serve as Acting President and CEO during the transition.

Dr. Jensen has been recognized by the community with two awards during her time at Woodland Park Zoo. The Women of Influence award by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2009, and the Executive Excellence Award by the Seattle Business Magazine in 2015.

The Zoo Society board aims to complete their nationwide search for a new President and CEO within six months.

The zoo faced controversy earlier this year over the decision to move their remaining two elephants to Oklahoma City instead of to a sanctuary.

Some Seattle City councilmembers have suggested withholding discretionary funding unless the zoo gives up the elephant exhibit. Elephant advocates have rallied for the animals to be placed in a sanctuary. But Woodland Park Zoo CEO and president Deborah Jensen said the California sanctuary to which advocates referred is not ideal.

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