Shawn Dixon

President & Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Dixon is President and Chief Executive Officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a global conservation nonprofit working across six continents and home to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Dixon believes a critical part of conservation is creating emotional connections between wildlife and people. He works to bring together the Alliance’s conservation field work with the more than 5 million guests who visit its parks each year.

Denny Sanford Elephant Valley puts that belief into practice. Under Dixon’s leadership, the largest project in the Alliance’s history opened at the Safari Park in March 2026. Today, Elephant Valley continues to inspire guests by offering face to face experiences with African savanna elephants, and highlighting the Alliance’s conservation partners in Kenya.

Dixon also champions new ways of working, from adopting new technologies to encouraging collaboration across departments. He sees the Alliance’s more than 4,500 employees and volunteers as the heart of the organization, and works to build a strong culture through regular engagement with teams across the parks and conservation programs.

As CEO, Dixon works closely with the Board of Trustees and represents the Alliance at national and international gatherings, including those of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He speaks frequently on guest experience, innovation, and leadership.

Previously, Dixon served nine years as the Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer, leading expansions including Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, Walkabout Australia and Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and building partnerships with government and tourism agencies to promote the San Diego region.

Dixon brings more than two decades of hospitality experience, including in national parks. After starting his career with Hilton Hotels, he joined Vail Resorts, living and working at Grand Teton National Park. As Corporate Director of Lodging Operations and Capital Planning, he directed 13 hotels, a conference center, golf courses, spas, retail stores and restaurants across the United States and Jamaica.

A committed civic leader, Dixon serves on the board of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Regional EDC’s Economic Development Committee, and the San Diego Convention Center. He is a member of San Diego Rotary Club 33, chaired the San Diego Tourism Authority board from 2021 to 2024, and is a professional fellow of AZA. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.