El Paso Zoological Society Chooses New Executive Director

Renee Neuert – El Paso Zoological Society Executive Director

The El Paso Zoological Society welcomes Renee Neuert as the new Executive Director. She was most recently the Community Relations Director at the El Paso Center for Children. For the past three years, Ms. Neuert was responsible for fund and donor development, public speaking, child abuse prevention programs, and coordination of children’s events. Ms. Neuert was able to bring the Center For Children into the public spotlight and increase awareness of the needs of homeless, orphaned and abused children in the El Paso community.

Ms. Neuert will be able to offer the El Paso Zoological Society her guidance and experience with the workings of a highly successful non-profit organization, her love for the care and growth of this community, and her passion for conservation.

“I believe there is a strong link between us and nature, and I think that animals and children just absolutely go together. As a parent, you watch them experience their world, from grabbing dirt and stuffing it in their mouth – to squealing when they see a bug on the ground, to picking up earthworms after it rains. Nature fascinates them and it’s a gift that we, as parents, get to share. Children really help us see the world differently, said Ms. Neuert, and it was this that I considered when the opportunity to work with El Paso Zoological Society arose.”


Ms. Neuert began her career as the Executive Director of the Child Crisis Center. Through her direction it became the most publicized, visible, highly functioning and comprehensive organization that is today. It is the voice for at-risk children. “As the Crisis Center grew, so did the services to children and their families.”

“I think the Zoological Society hired me because of my passion and vision. The CCC started as a small shelter and became the most recognized non-profit center in El Paso. It was a wonderful program that no one knew about – but there was a vision and it was set: Child Abuse Prevention in El Paso, and that vision is still operating today,” said Ms. Neuert.


Steve Marshall, El Paso Zoo Director said, “Ms Neuert possesses the experience, business acumen, energy and passion that the Zoological Society needs to help the Zoo reach its mission and goals. She is very well known in the community as a successful fundraiser. She also has a stellar reputation as a professional that can take an organization to the high achieving level of a performance based not-for-profit corporation.”

It’s her spirit and passion for children, and a drive for success that Ms Neuert believes will help her grow the Zoo Society from the esteemed organization it is currently, into a highly visible partner in the Zoo’s mission of conservation and stewardship of nature and animals.

Ms. Neuert is also thrilled to be joining the Zoological Society as the El Paso Zoo is opening phases of its Western Expansion. The Africa phase will increase the zoo from 26 acres to 36 acres, and bring lions, zebras and giraffes and other animals to the Borderland. The El Paso Zoo is becoming one of the premiere destinations in West Texas. The El Paso Zoo’s expansion will contribute to the economic development of the city of El Paso, educate the community about conservation and positively affect the lives of thousands of area residents.

“I really like the idea of education conservation and I believe the Zoo can serve as an opportunity for people to rediscover their connection to nature, to the earth and to our world,” said Ms. Neuert.