Brandie Smith will also oversee the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia.

A new director was chosen by the Smithsonian Institute to serve two of its largest facilities. On Tuesday, Brandie Smith was officially selected to head the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Smith is replacing Steven Monfort, who retired from the position back in May. She was appointed the zoo's acting director in August.

“I’m honored to continue working alongside such talented colleagues whose expertise drives innovations in animal care and sustains biodiversity,” Smith said in a press release. “Their work inspires future generations of conservationists.”

Smith's responsibilities will include educational programs, events, and other operations taking place at both facilities. Most notably, she'll supervise the zoo's conservation biology research team, which works in studying and breeding endangered species across 30 countries.

At the Smithsonian, we've seen Brandie Smith's expertise and leadership in action for years, including the past several months as acting director of @NationalZoo and our Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. I'm elated to have her at the helm. https://t.co/t7OtdXdoo4

— Lonnie G. Bunch III (@SmithsonianSec) November 9, 2021

Smith, who served at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as vice president of animal conservation, joined the National Zoo in 2008. Stationed at the Giant Panda exhibit, her innovative work in reproductive biology is often credited with the arrival of prominent panda cubs Bao Bao, Bei Bei, and recently Xiao Qi Ji, whose surprise birth amid the pandemic made national news.

Founded in 1889, the National Zoo has established itself as both a major player in animal conservation and tourist attraction. Its array of mammals, from elephants and big cats, as well as its festive attractions like Zoo Lights, draws almost 2 million visitors to Rock Creek Park annually.

Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch praised the "expertise, talent, and leadership," displayed by Smith in the interim following Monfort's leave.

"At the Smithsonian, we have seen Brandie’s expertise, talent and leadership in action for years, including during the past several months as acting director of the National Zoo and SCBI,” Bunch said. "The exceptional work done there is vital to species conservation, animal care and education, and I am elated to have Brandie at the helm to help the Smithsonian secure our institutional and global shared future.”

Congratulations, Brandie! You can read more about her incredible background here.

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