Misha Body is an experienced senior leader with 20+ years experience leading and influencing multi-dimensional teams. Misha’s strengths include actively identifying and empowering the diversity of skills and perspectives amongst her team members to achieve strategic goals; modeling and coaching a leadership style that embraces empathy, compassion, and accountability; and creating and nurturing connections and networks to expand the impact on organizational mission. Her personal mission is to collaboratively create environments in which mission-driven professionals can achieve their greatest successes. She excels at understanding and shaping organizational and team cultures. An intuitive and studied leader, Misha embraces empathy, compassion, honesty, integrity, and the assumption of positive intent. With an emphasis on using open, honest communication, Misha builds authentic relationships and uses a strengths-based approach to address organizational challenges and opportunities. She has a growth mindset and promotes continuous improvement through listening, curiosity, and diverse thinking.Misha has held multiple service roles with organizations such as the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Young Nonprofit Professionals-Los Angeles, and Minorities in Zoo and Aquarium Sciences. Through these roles, she has been able to help provide access to quality professional development for members and advance DEAI initiatives. She is a 2021 graduate of the AZA Executive Leadership Development Program, and earned a Bachelor’s in zoology from Connecticut College, a Master’s in biology from Miami University, and certificates in conservation biology from Columbia University and management & operations from the University of Southern California, Miami University, and AZA.