Denise Verret

Denise M. Verret is the director of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. She is the first female African American director of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institution. She also serves on the board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a zoo accreditation inspector. She spent 19 years as the Los Angeles Zoo's deputy director before assuming the post of director. and attended schools in Pasadena, California, She directed and developed the zoo’s strategic and vision plans in this time, also managing the organization's business and marketing plans. Verret was confirmed to the seat of director of the Los Angeles Zoo on June 28, 2019. She previously served 19 years as deputy director of the zoo, with her career totaling 30 years working for the City of Los Angeles. She was zoo director during the January 2025 Southern California wildfires. The LA Zoo closed for nine days but did not sustain any significant fire or wind damage.

In October 2024, Verret was named the 100th chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)'s Board of Directors. She is the first Black woman to serve in the role. She was previously elected to a three-year director term on the AZA board before being selected to serve on its executive committee. Verret has stated that her focus as board chair will be "ensuring that [the AZA continues] to evolve for the next 100 years." She also serves as a zoo accreditation inspector for the AZA.