Greensboro, N.C. — July 14, 2025
The North Carolina Zoo is mourning the loss of its longtime Director and CEO, Pat Simmons, who passed away this week after a nearly five-year battle with cancer. Simmons was a nationally respected leader in the zoological and conservation world, known for her passion, integrity, and transformational leadership.
Simmons joined the North Carolina Zoo in 2015 after serving as the Director of the Akron Zoo in Ohio for nearly three decades. During her tenure in Asheboro, she championed bold conservation initiatives, modernised zoo facilities, and fostered a culture of education, inclusion, and global outreach.
“To know Pat was to love her,” the Zoo shared in a heartfelt public statement. “She was a force to be reckoned with, and her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.”
With more than 40 years of service in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Simmons helped shape policy and mentor future leaders across the industry. Her visionary leadership helped position the North Carolina Zoo as a global model for animal care, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
NC Zoo Director Pat Simmons Dies
No funeral details have been released at this time. The Zoo has announced plans to host a public memorial in her honour.
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Best Regards,