Leigh Pierre-Oetker is the new Executive Director of the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation

The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation is excited to welcome Leigh Pierre-Oetker as the new Executive Director of the Foundation.



President of Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, Michale Dearden, states, “we are thrilled to announce, that after a multiple-month, nation-wide search, we have chosen Leigh Pierre-Oetker as our Executive Director, a proven leader from Humboldt County's nonprofit elite. Together with our Director of Marketing & Events, Ashley Mobley, our Foundation’s and Zoo's futures are in the best hands possible. Thank you to all of our supporters and stay-tuned for what's to come.”

Leigh received her BA in English from Seattle University and her MA in Sociology from Humboldt State University. She has spent her career working in the philanthropy and nonprofit world developing programs and projects that have benefitted Humboldt County. She developed and directed local community resource centers and then moved on to work in the grant writing, development and fundraising field. Leigh helped establish the local McLean Foundation and worked as their Executive Director for 12 years. After her tenure at the McLean Foundation, she worked as an independent project consultant most notably with Humboldt County Public Health. There she developed their local oral health program and assisted in securing multi-million-dollar state funding for the program as well as working in grant administration for Open Door Community Health Centers. Leigh also helped establish the Zoo Foundation and served on the first Board of Directors assisting in the formulation of the initial mission and vision. She has served on many local nonprofit boards including United Way, the Headwaters Fund, Access Humboldt, the Community Health Alliance and the Northern California Association of Nonprofits. Leigh and her husband Larry along with their daughter Olivia live in Manila and have called Humboldt County their home since 1991.


The Sequoia Park Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Eureka. The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation was established in 2004 and is the philanthropic nonprofit partner which supports the Sequoia Park Zoo. The Foundation’s mission is to promote and stimulate interest in the Sequoia Park Zoo, and to support the Zoo’s development and programs through fundraising, marketing and other initiatives designed to enhance the Zoo experience. The Foundation has been successful in securing funding for many capital projects at the Zoo, including the construction of new animal habitats, exhibit renovations and building facilities to support education and guest services. Gretchen Ziegler, Zoo Director, said, “Leigh’s position is key for the success of our public/private partnership to operate the Zoo. We are very pleased to work with her and continue building on this important partnership together.”


The Mission of Sequoia Park Zoo is to inspire conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect and passion for wildlife. As an AZA accredited facility, Sequoia Park Zoo incorporates wildlife conservation as an essential part of its mission. This includes spreading awareness about threats to wildlife and habitats, inspiring conservation action among our visitors, and helping to fund conservation field work