Longtime leader of the David Traylor Zoo Lisa Keith was riding a roller coaster of emotions Friday as hundreds of residents passed through the Zoo Education Center to wish her well in retirement.
Keith was overwhelmed by the turnout for her retirement reception that ran through the afternoon hours and included a slide show of her time at the zoo, cake, refreshments and an opportunity for patrons and docents to share some of their fondest memories of Keith’s time with the zoo. Among those in attendance was Colleen Mitchell who has worked alongside Keith in several roles over the last three decades.
While Mitchell’s role at David Traylor has undergone many changes throughout that time, one thing she says never changed was Keith’s leadership and passion for the zoo, its patrons, employees and residents.
Keith announced her retirement earlier this year after 32 years of service including the last 16 as zoo director. Under her leadership, the zoo has undergone massive growth and change including many physical changes thanks to the nearly $5 million Oasis Capital Campaign, a significant rise in annual zoo attendance, the addition of new exhibits and much more.
As she reflected on these accomplishments Friday and with her official retirement coming in January, Keith smiled and told KVOE News she is proud of what has been accomplished during her tenure as director. Noting it will not be easy to step away from the zoo, Keith says she is looking forward to what’s to come in retirement adding that she has served her purpose and now is the perfect time to pass the torch.
In addition to the accomplishments mentioned above, the Emporia Friends of the Zoo have taken steps to ensure Keith’s legacy continues to live on long after her retirement. It was announced earlier this month that EFOZ had established the Lisa Keith Zoo Education Fund through the Emporia Community Foundation and erected a bronze statue of a mountain lion within the zoo in Keith’s honor.
Mitchell stated these initiatives will ensure that even those who never knew Keith will remember her for generations.
Brenda Young is taking Keith’s place as zoo director, with her hiring being announced back in August. Since that announcement, Keith has been assisting with the transition as assistant director for the past month. Keith will now step into a more remote role beginning next week until her official retirement on January 1.
