BILL STREET

Board Member

Bill Street is a seasoned leader with nearly 35 years of experience across the nonprofit and for-profit attractions, zoological, education, and conservation sectors. In 2024, he was appointed President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville, one of East Tennessee’s largest cultural institutions, welcoming nearly 600,000 guests annually. In this role, he provides strategic and operational leadership, guiding the Zoo’s vision, financial performance, and long-term growth while advancing its mission to inspire conservation through meaningful connections with wildlife. As the organization’s primary ambassador, Bill works closely with the Board of Directors, community leaders, and philanthropic partners to strengthen governance, expand support, and deepen the Zoo’s impact across the region and beyond.

Prior to joining Zoo Knoxville, Bill served as Senior Vice President at the Indianapolis Zoo, where he oversaw the care and management of the animal collection, government affairs, and the institution’s conservation and education initiatives. During his tenure, he founded and directed the Global Center for Species Survival, a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Zoo and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC), focused on accelerating global conservation action.

Earlier in his career, Bill was Corporate Curator of Conservation and Education at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, one of the world’s largest zoological organizations, serving more than 20 million guests annually. He also served as Executive Director of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which has awarded more than $20 million in grants to conservation organizations worldwide.

Bill’s professional background includes leadership roles at the National Wildlife Federation, John G. Shedd Aquarium, and Aquarium of the Pacific, as well as service as an adjunct professor at California State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida and has served on numerous nonprofit boards advancing conservation and environmental education.