“Julianna here, serving as AAZKSFs president! I have been in the field for over 10 years and I currently work as a primary keeper in the hoofstock department at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. I have been involved with AAZK throughout most of my career. During that time, I have had the pleasure of serving on the committee for two different chapters. As a long time member of AAZK, I have had a unique opportunity to network with many different zoo professionals and beyond, gathering at the national conferences, and making lifelong friends. Most of all, it has allowed me to take part in raising awareness and providing support for wildlife conservation. I’ll continue to bring my knowledge and background to the chapter.”
"Hello, I'm Liz, and I am Vice-President and one of the Communications Liaisons for AAZKSF. I've spent the majority of my life at the SF Zoo, and all roads have brought me where I am today. I started out on one of our homegrown education programs as a kid on the Nature Trail and then as a Junior Zoologist. From there, I've worked in our Education Department, Nutrition, and for the last 9 years as a primary bird keeper. In my free time I am an avid birder. I've been fortunate enough to travel to the jungles of Belize, bird around the US, and witness the epic migration of the Sandhill Crane to the North Platte River. Last year was my first year serving as a liaison, and I'm so excited to be back this year as Vice-President. I'm so excited to see what this year brings!
Elyse Thurman
Secretary
"Hello there, I’m Elyse, the AAZKSF secretary. I’m currently the primary keeper for the Tropical Rainforest and pelicans at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. Before coming here in mid 2023, I worked with the birds at the San Antonio Zoo, and before that I worked with the birds at the Brookfield Zoo, and before THAT I interned with the birds at the Tampa Zoo. You can probably guess I’m a pretty big fan of birds. I’m also a big fan of working with people to promote conservation as well as fostering relationships between fellow zoo professionals. While at the San Antonio Zoo I helped out with the AAZK chapter events quite a bit, and am really excited to be even more involved in AAZK now as an officer with the San Francisco chapter. I have seen how AAZK can really bring people together here and at other institutions, in addition to bringing in lots of funds to help protect the animals we all love."
Max Killen
Treasurer
"Hey guys, I'm Max and I work in our Hoofstock department. I work with all of our hooved friends, from our tallest giraffe all the way down to our smallest peccary. I've been in animal care since 2019 and have worked at and volunteered at a handful of zoos all over the country. San Francisco Zoo has been my hometown zoo growing up and I love being a part of the team that keeps our animals happy and healthy. While I've been a national and local member of AAZK for a few years, this is my first year acting as an officer to our local chapter. I'm excited to see what kind of fun events we can cook up and hope to see you all out there. "