PEORIA (June 12, 2024) – The Peoria Park District announces the retirement of Yvonne Strode, Director of Peoria Zoo. With a career spanning over four decades, Yvonne's dedication and leadership have been instrumental in transforming Peoria Zoo into a premier institution for wildlife conservation, education, and community engagement.



After receipt of her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois-Champaign and gaining experience both at Glen Oak Zoo and other regional zoos, Yvonne assumed her current position as Director in 2005.

Yvonne has overseen the significant expansion of Peoria Zoo, which has more than doubled its size, staff, and attendance during her tenure. A highlight of her career is the Africa! exhibit, which opened in 2009 after over a decade of planning and 2½ years of construction. This exhibit introduced species such as giraffes, rhinoceroses, and mandrills to Peoria, significantly enhancing the Zoo's diversity.

Under her guidance, Peoria Zoo has maintained its accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a testament to its high standards in animal care, conservation, and education.

"Yvonne's unwavering commitment to animal welfare has been a cornerstone of her leadership at Peoria Zoo,” stated Emily Cahill, Executive Director of Peoria Park District. “Her passionate gift of her time and talents have impacted our Zoo and our community in ways that will benefit future generations."

“I am excited for this next chapter of my life, which will include volunteering, relaxing a bit and of course, still visiting the Zoo,” stated Yvonne Strode.

Yvonne’s last day is June 14, 2024.  

With the retirement of Yvonne Strode, the Peoria Park District is pleased to announce its appointment of Max Lakes as the new Director of Peoria Zoo. Max brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to animal welfare and guest experience, making him a perfect fit for this vital leadership role.

Max Lakes

Max joins Peoria Zoo from Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana, where he served as Director. His impressive career also includes key positions at Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas; Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas; and Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio. Throughout his career, Max has held roles as Director, Deputy Director, Education Curator, and Education Associate, consistently demonstrating his dedication to enhancing animal care and educational outreach.

Max emphasizes his commitment to providing the highest level of animal welfare and ensuring the best possible guest experience for Peorians. "Peoria offers the chance to work with an amazing group of zoo and park professionals to provide excellent care for our animals while fostering connections between the community and those animals," stated Lakes. "Being from the Midwest, Peoria feels like coming home and I’m excited to call Peoria my new hometown!”

Max's educational background is as diverse as his professional experience. After leaving high school after ninth grade and earning his GED, Max pursued a B.A. in Political Science, an M.S. in Recreation and Park Administration with a concentration on the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, focusing on pro-conservation behavior change. He is also set to complete his Master’s in Business Administration later this month.

"We are thrilled to welcome Max Lakes to Peoria and our Peoria Park District family," stated Cahill. " His varied experiences in animal care, education, and business leadership, combined with his innovative approaches and passion for connecting communities with wildlife, make him the ideal person to lead Peoria Zoo into its next chapter."

Max started his new role as Director of Peoria Zoo on May 27, 2024. 

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ABOUT PEORIA ZOO

Peoria Zoo’s mission is to create connections that inspire an appreciation for and encourage actions to conserve the natural world. Peoria Zoo, a Peoria Park District facility, is located in Glen Oak Park, a 40+ acre park located in the heart of the East Bluff in Peoria, IL. Peoria Zoo is over 14 acres in size and home to over 100 different species from around the world. To learn more, please visit www.peoriazoo.org.

ABOUT PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

Public stewards of nearly 9,000 acres of park and greenspace and another 185 buildings, the Park District’s mission is “We contribute to healthy and vibrant communities by responsibly using our resources to offer high quality parks, recreation, and education experiences to those who live, work, or play in our District. We will be responsible stewards of all District resources. We will focus on services that make the greatest impact. We will create a culture that values and supports each other, those we serve and our community​.” To learn more, please visit www.peoriaparks.org.

More Resources:

View all our press releases and virtual press packets by visiting https://peoriaparks.org/news/

Peoria Park District Media Contact:

Emily G. Cahill

Executive Director

309-681-2803

ecahill@peoriaparks.org