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Old Ignatian Award Winner
Congratulations to Old Ignatian, Elaine Bensted (Class of 1980) the Chief Executive of Zoos SA, who recently received the Telstra South Australian For Purpose And Social Enterprise Award for 2017.
Elaine Bensted grew up with dreams of becoming a veterinarian. As CEO of Zoos South Australia, she plays an important role in animal conservation not just across Australia but globally, during a time when species are being wiped out at an alarming rate.
When Elaine commenced her duties with Adelaide and Monarto Zoos in 2012, Zoos SA was in a precarious financial position. Elaine’s implementation of a five-year business plan, and a 20-year master plan, has seen the organisation hit new membership records and increase its visitor numbers past half a million annually.
Zoos SA is a conservation charity, so Elaine’s skills in negotiation and relationship management are essential for its efforts in preserving the animal world.
“Our mission to connect people with nature and save species from extinction has never been more important. The animals we've returned to the wild wouldn't be there without us.”
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