Hohenwald, TN - The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Shurter as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. "With his extensive experience in nonprofit management and conservation, as well as his passion for The Sanctuary’s mission, Steve is well positioned to lead the organization’s efforts and help the team achieve even greater impact," says Rich Rhoda, Board President.
Steve succeeds retiring CEO Janice Zeitlin, who has led The Elephant Sanctuary since 2013 and helped drive significant growth in elephant care, conservation partnerships, education initiatives, and organizational impact. Over the past twelve years, Janice has been instrumental in shaping The Sanctuary into the successful nonprofit organization it is today.
For the past three years, Steve has served The Elephant Sanctuary in an operations role, working closely with the board and team to develop plans and implement strategies that strengthen elephant well-being and advance the organization’s conservation and education programs. Before joining The Elephant Sanctuary, he served as Executive Director and CEO of White Oak Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Northeast Florida dedicated to conservation research, land stewardship, and education.
"I first visited The Elephant Sanctuary several years ago while White Oak was designing its elephant program," says Steve. "Janice Zeitlin and The Sanctuary team generously shared their time, experience, and deep expertise in caring for elephants in the hills of Tennessee. I was impressed by everything the organization had accomplished—from its success as a nonprofit and the creation of the Elephant Discovery Center to the strong support and goodwill it has built within the community. It is a true honor to now have the opportunity to help lead the organization forward."
Steve brings a strong background in animal science, zoo management, and wildlife conservation, along with a collaborative approach to protecting wildlife and their habitats. He has served on conservation nonprofit boards in Florida and internationally, held leadership roles with several Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) advisory groups, and remained an active member of IUCN SSC Specialist Groups focused on wildlife conservation and action planning.
"The Sanctuary is experiencing significant growth, with numerous projects underway to expand campus infrastructure in support of exceptional elephant care," says Steve. "I’m honored to work alongside the outstanding Elephant Sanctuary team as we continue strengthening our elephant care and education programs, focusing resources where they can have the greatest impact for elephants in Tennessee and beyond, and sharing the elephants’ stories with audiences around the world..”
In his role as CEO, Steve will work closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team to strengthen program effectiveness and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. His priorities will include advancing care and welfare practices for elephants in human care, particularly male elephants; strengthening conservation and education partnerships; and building collaborative efforts that improve elephants’ lives, conserve critical habitat, and support harmoniouscoexistence between elephants and people.
Together, Steve and the team are committed to ensuring that The Sanctuary continues to meet the evolving needs of both its mission and the broader community it serves.
About The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
Located on 3,060 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for Asian and African elephants. Founded in 1995, The Sanctuary has provided 36 elephants with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and the opportunity to live out their lives in a safe haven dedicated to their well-being. The Sanctuary is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and has been dually recognized through certification by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and accreditation by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. The Elephant Sanctuary is currently home to 12 elephant residents.
To learn more about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, please visit our website at www.elephants.com. We welcome you to stay engaged and observe the elephant