Interview with Dr. Deborah Jensen, President and CEO of Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo

April 13, 2010

For over 100 years, The Woodland Park Zoo has been a Seattle landmark.  Popular for families, animal education, volunteers, conservationists, recognized with top awards, and enjoyed for it’s peaceful setting and summer concerts.  There is so much to love about the zoo.  Have you ever wondered who runs the Woodland Park Zoo?  Well, we had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jensen on a beautiful sunny day topped off with a visit to the Penguin exhibit and a ride on the newly restored historical carousel.  We were impressed with Dr. Jensen’s passion for her work, the environment and her family combined with her intelligence and ability to run a multi-faceted business.

Dr. Deborah Jensen is responsible for all operations of the 92-acre zoo including animal management, conservation programming, education and research, board and community relations, financial management, capital and operations fundraising, and general administration.  Dr. Jensen joined the zoo immediately following the transition from city management to non-profit management by the Woodland Park Zoological Society.  A conservation biologist, Dr. Jensen came to Seattle from The Nature Conservancy’s world headquarters in Arlington, Virginia where she served as Vice President of the Conservation Science division.  She received her PH.D., Masters and Bachelors degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.  Dr. Jensen is an avid outdoorswoman and enjoys sea kayaking, skiing and hiking with her husband and daughter. 

How did you come to running the Woodland Park Zoo?
Unlike most of my peers, I didn’t always dream of running a zoo.  When I was six years old, I told people I wanted to be a “naturalist” when I grew up.  The major available back then was Botany which is what I studied at Berkley.  I had an internship with California Fish and Game inventorying endangered species which led to my PH.D. in Conservation Biology.  I spent 20 years with The Nature Conservancy. When my department was eliminated it gave me the opportunity to try something new.  My husband and I wanted to live west of the Rockies and I ended up interviewing for the position at the Woodland Park Zoo and here I am.

What do you appreciate about being over 40?
You are okay with being who you are.

What advice do you have for the under 40 crowd?
If you are not following your passion then get a new job.  Think of all the things you’ve done, your accomplishments and the things you are good at.  Then match your talent with the task. 

What do you still like to achieve?
Less greenhouse gases, turn the corner on climate change and conserve nature.  We need a sustainable earth.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about nature, dark chocolate truffles, family, all environments, being outside.  I’m passionate about connecting people to animals and education.  Our mission statement is to learn, care and act to save wildlife.

How do you balance work and life?
I don’t.  It’s more of a blend.  I like attending my daughter’s soccer games.

What book is on your nightstand?
“The Age of the Unthinkable: Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises us and What We Can Do About It” by Joshua Cooper Ramo

What other career would you like to try?
Nature conservation.

Guilty pleasure?
Dark chocolate truffles! 

What superpower do you want?
Flying.  I would like to take flying lessons.  I bought flying lessons at an auction one year but have not found the time to do it yet. 

Posted in 40 Over 40
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