Shayla Bell Moriarty, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, built a trusted team and focuses on building new and exciting experiences to attract crowds outside of the typical family visitors. 

Moriarty joined the Zoo in 2016 following a successful campaign to elect a Toledo mayor and a pivotal role at Hollywood Casino. In 2018, she took over park operations, food and beverage, and membership teams. Membership is at 75,000 households, up from 50,000 in 2018 and the highest per capita in the U.S. The “access for all” initiative provides 5000 memberships to underrepresented communities through partnerships with 80+ agencies. Reaching out to a broader audience through partnerships, including the Detroit Pistons, resulted in out-of-state attendance of 40%. 

In the community, Moriarty serves on the boards of Notre Dame Academy and Hope Toledo. She is an active member of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Ohio Tourism steering committee. Her work at the state level on policies and planning enhances Ohio as a destination and advances Ohio’s travel and tourism industry. 

In college at John Carroll University, she was one of the youngest basketball players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, holding over 20 records.