Bert Vescolani

President/CEO | Denver Zoo

Bert Vescolani, who took over the helm of Denver Zoo in September 2018, has held numerous leadership positions within scientific and zoological institutions. At Denver Zoo, he leads more than 400 employees and 600 volunteers, oversees the care and management of more than 3,000 animals representing 500 species, and is responsible for the continued improvement, progression and evolution of Colorado’s most-visited cultural destination.

Before joining Denver Zoo, Vescolani served for seven years as president & CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center and served for six years as director of the John Ball Zoological Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Bert Vescolani broke into the zoo and aquarium industry in 1990 as a volunteer while teaching high schools science. Bert started his professional career as curator of education at John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where he worked his way up the ranks over the course of 14 years, eventually reaching the position of senior vice president of aquarium collection and education.

Committed to conservation, Bert has traveled to extensively throughout Latin American and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Europe working with communities to engage in conservation. Additionally, Bert is a lifelong volunteer, serving on boards and community organizations in Chicago and St. Louis.

Vescolani received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and completed graduate course work in Zoology and Nonprofit Management at Western Illinois University, North Park University, and Harvard Kennedy School.