Zoo New England today announced the appointment of Stephanie Brinley as President and CEO. Currently Deputy Director of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, with campuses in Washington, D.C. and Front Royal, Virginia, Brinley will oversee both Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham when she assumes her role at Zoo New England on September 29, 2025. 

Brinley was selected following a nearly year-long search overseen by Zoo New England’s Board of Directors. She succeeds John Linehan, who has spent 44 years at Zoo New England including 23 as President and CEO. During the leadership transition, Linehan will continue to work with the organization, lending his extensive years of experience to ensure a smooth transition and successful start to this next chapter in the Zoos’ history.

“Stephanie brings a unique mix of strategic vision, operational discipline, and people-centered leadership to Zoo New England, and we know she will harness the organization’s recent success and forward momentum to propel Zoo New England into an exciting new era as she takes the helm this fall,” said Colin G. Van Dyke, Chair of the Zoo New England Board of Directors. “Her passion for science and conservation, as well as her data-driven, pragmatic approach to leadership, makes her the right person to chart the organization’s future while continuing to cement Zoo New England’s reputation in the upper echelon of cultural institutions in Greater Boston and the world.”

At Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Brinley provided executive leadership and direction for overall planning, development, and management of programs and activities. For the past three years, she has successfully overseen operations at two campuses and at worldwide locations focused on the mission of conservation, while imbuing exhibits, programming, and outreach activities with an overarching and strategic message around species survival.

Prior to her current position, she held the role of Assistant Director for Business Operations and Technology at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. There, she implemented critically needed financial, operational, and administrative process changes that were directly responsible for both saving and generating significant funds for the Museum, allowing Air and Space to successfully pursue its curatorial and scientific research, educational programming, and public outreach missions.

Before joining the Air and Space Museum, Brinley worked for the Department of Defense Joint Program Office for the F-35 Lightning II in Arlington, Virginia, where she held positions as the director of software, chief of staff, and lead for congressional and audits engagement. She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and served in the Air Force for 12 years. She earned her Master of Science from Troy State University.

“I am truly honored and excited to be selected as the next President and CEO of Zoo New England. I’m inspired by the incredible work already underway to connect visitors with wildlife, sparking curiosity, joy and a lifelong respect for nature. I look forward to building on this foundation established by John and the team—supporting the staff, deepening community partnerships and creating even more memorable experiences across our Zoos,” said Brinley. “John has overseen incredible transformation at both Zoos during his tenure, and I consider it a privilege to work together with my new colleagues to continue this important work.”

Linehan’s passion for wildlife and people has been the cornerstone of his work on behalf of Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo and their mission of education and conservation.

During Linehan’s tenure, the Franklin Park and Stone Zoos were successfully transitioned from state agency management to a thriving non-profit model – Zoo New England. With the help of a highly-skilled team that he assembled, the Zoos have achieved notable milestones including exceeding more than 1 million in annual visitation the past four fiscal years, and the launch of exciting new experiences including Franklin Park Zoo’s popular Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience and Stone Zoo’s long-running holiday ZooLights event. He oversaw the opening of new exhibits including Franklin Park Zoo’s state-of-the-art Gorilla Grove and Nature’s Neighborhoods – The George Robert White Fund Children’s Zoo, as well as Stone Zoo’s Caribbean Coast and Butterfly Oasis. He has championed impactful programming including the long-running ZooTeen program, and a conservation commitment that spans the globe.

“I want to congratulate Stephanie on her appointment and look forward to seeing Zoo New England continue to thrive under her leadership” said Linehan. “I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished over the past 44 years, and I know that Stephanie is the right person to deliver on our important mission and lead Zoo New England into its exciting next chapter.”

As President and CEO, Brinley will lead Zoo New England in implementing its new strategic plan and take action to ensure that all activities are aligned with the organization's mission and vision. She will oversee the completion and opening of the African Experience in spring 2026, as well as plan for future capital projects as Zoo New England continues to grow and evolve its physical campuses to embody world-class, conservation-focused Zoos.