The Elephant Sanctuary Welcomes Steve Shurter as Chief Operating Officer

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is excited to announce the appointment of Steve Shurter as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). "With his extensive experience in wildlife management, conservation and passion for The Sanctuary's mission, Steve is well-suited to lead the organization's operational efforts and drive us towards an even greater impact," says Janice Zeitlin, CEO.

Before arriving at The Elephant Sanctuary, Steve was the Executive Director and CEO of White Oak Conservation Foundation, a non-profit supporting conservation research, land stewardship, and education in Northeast Florida.

"I was fortunate to visit The Elephant Sanctuary some years ago when White Oak was designing their elephant program," says Steve. "The Sanctuary Team was kind enough to share their experiences, time, and wealth of expertise caring for animals in the hills of Tennessee. I was impressed with their accomplishments and intrigued with The Sanctuary as a successful animal non-profit, the community education center, and the support and goodwill they have generated."

With a background in animal science and zoo and wildlife management, Steve encourages collaborative efforts to conserve wildlife and their habitats. In addition to serving on conservation non-profit boards in Florida and abroad, Steve has held leadership roles with several Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) advisory groups and is currently a member of the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group and the Giraffe Okapi Specialist Group.

"Significant growth at The Sanctuary is underway with numerous projects already on the books requiring planning, hard work, and effective management," says Steve. "I am excited about the opportunity to join the team at The Elephant Sanctuary, with its respectful methods of long-term elephant care and the organization's efforts to support wild elephants and their conservation."

In this new role, Steve will work closely with the CEO and the executive team, board of directors, and staff to streamline operations, enhance program effectiveness, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Steve will help spearhead initiatives to improve processes, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that The Sanctuary continues to meet the evolving needs of our community and our mission.