Erica Johnson

Erica joined Woodland Park Zoo in 2021. As the Vice President of Learning & Innovation, Erica leads the team responsible for the zoo’s on-site, community-based, and virtual educational programs, volunteer and guest engagement, and the Advancing Conservation through Empathy (ACE) for Wildlife learning network. Erica has created and improved educational experiences for young people from cradle to career for over 20 years. Before joining the zoo, Erica served as the Mayor’s Education and Youth Policy Advisor in Seattle, where she facilitated the City’s efforts to support children, youth, and families before and during the pandemic. Prior to that, Erica was instrumental in the development of the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). Funded by a $58 million levy, and delivered in partnership with community-based organizations, family child care providers, and schools, SPP has provided affordable, high-quality preschool for thousands of children since its launch in 2015. In 2020, Erica was honored to be selected by the National League of Cities as part of its inaugural cohort of Early Childhood Municipal Fellows. Erica’s commitments to racial equity, youth opportunity, and community partnership, along with her love of nature and dedication to the well-being of wildlife, led her to Woodland Park Zoo. She earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.