Rory James joined the Saint Louis Zoo in 2022 as its Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI). His expertise in public health is coupled with a social justice mindset. James’ background encompasses undergraduate programming; graduate student engagement; and staff development in intercultural communication, cultural awareness and cultural intelligence. James has presented at local, regional and national conferences on equity and access; masculinity and outreach to Black and Latino/x men; student retention programs; and health awareness/promotion.

Prior to the Zoo, James was Director of the Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. Prior to arriving at Indiana University, he served as the Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Director of the Intercultural Center at University of North Carolina Asheville. James earned a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from Tulane University and his Bachelor of Science in biology from Tuskegee University.