Lucia Clifton

Lucia Clifton is the Director of Membership at the Saint Louis Zoo where she is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing marketing programs, promotions, communications, and donor activity related to Zoo Membership, the Zoo Parents Program (an animal adoption program) and annual giving programs. Lucia also provides leadership to the entire Membership Department, which includes Data Entry and Welcome Desk.

Lucia is originally from Chicago and attended Chicago Vocational High School on the city’s south side. As a child, Lucia’s family visited the Brookfield Zoo once every summer, and these trips are some of her fondest family memories. Lucia earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University. After graduating from college, Lucia has held various jobs related to marketing, including working for a small printing company, a large insurance company, and several advertising agencies.

Lucia really enjoys the mission of the Saint Louis Zoo. Being able to connect people to animals and further the Zoo’s conservation efforts helps her feel like she’s making a difference. She also enjoys that no two days in her job are alike. One day she may be in meetings discussing budgets and accompanying a donor on a behind-the-scenes tour, and the next she will be looking at tote bag samples that will be a premium gift item for members. For aspiring zoo professionals, she recommends that you keep an open mind about where you see yourself working. Each opportunity can and should build upon previous ones. Lucia’s favorite animal had always been the reticulated giraffe, but recently she’s been intrigued by the glass frog!