National Aquarium Welcomes Industry Leader as New Chief Financial Officer

The National Aquarium is pleased to announce the appointment of Virginia (Ginna) Newton as senior vice president and chief financial officer, leading several key departments for the nonprofit.

With an extensive background in both public and private enterprises, as chief financial officer at the National Aquarium, Ginna will be responsible for leading the finance, human resources, administrative services, organizational development and volunteer engagement departments of the Aquarium. She will direct the strategy for all fiscal aspects of the Aquarium including financial management of the organization, budget analysis and management, financial modeling, cost benefit analyses, forecasting and all accounting operations.

"Ginna is a welcome addition to the National Aquarium and will be a major asset to the leadership of the organization," said National Aquarium CEO John Racanelli. "Her impressive experience in the zoological field will allow her to hit the ground running and provide an informed perspective."

Ginna has more than 25 years of experience in business and finance, including five years at accredited zoological organizations. Most recently serving as the associate director of the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Ginna brings her expertise in financial management of large cultural organizations to the National Aquarium. She also previously held the CFO position at both Friends of the National Zoo and Carbon War Room.

Currently, Ginna is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), an organization committed to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the fields of conservation and education. She received her bachelor's in political science from Saint Louis University and a master's degree in nonprofit management from Georgetown University's School of Public Policy.