Dr. Luis Padilla was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Economic Advisory Council on Jan. 1, 2025. He has served as the President & CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (in Omaha NE) and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park (in Ashland, NE) since November 2022.
While being a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring and engaging people to become lifelong stewards for animals, the Zoo is a major regional attraction that draws roughly 1.6 million guests per year and has a significant economic impact to the region. Prior to leading Omaha’s Zoo, Dr. Padilla served the Saint Louis Zoo in multiple roles over the previous 11 years.
Dr. Padilla currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and previously served on the AZA’s accreditation commission from 2018-2024.
Dr. Padilla is a veterinarian, having earned a Doctorate degree from Cornell University, followed by specialty veterinary residency in zoo medicine at the Saint Louis Zoo and achieving board specialty status by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM).