Virginia Busch serves as Conservation Ambassador for the Anheuser-Busch Companies and the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. In this role, she carries on the Busch family’s heritage of environmental stewardship.

Virginia serves as president of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, launched in May 2003 as a private foundation fund. The organization’s mission is to work with purpose and passion on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging sustainable solutions through support of species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education. In her role, Virginia assists in the planning and execution of the parks’ expanding conservation programs, including development and oversight of partnerships to support collaborative research projects. She also serves as media spokesperson for environmental efforts at the parks.

In addition to her conservation roles with the Fund and Anheuser-Busch, Virginia contributes to conservation and animal welfare at home and abroad as a National Council Member for World Wildlife Fund, a board member for both Fauna & Flora International and the Humane Society of Missouri, and serves on several committees for the Saint Louis Zoo. Most recently, Virginia was named a committee member for the National Geographic Society Council of Advisors, a group of industry leaders and influential community members charged with forging connections and building relationships that will result in increased philanthropic support for and awareness of the activities of the National Geographic Society.

Virginia’s passion for animals shows in her regular appearances in cities nationwide. Her television segments and speaking engagements focus on the importance of conservation education through animal interaction, animal training as a husbandry and enrichment tool, and animal research, conservation, rescue and rehabilitation efforts at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.

Prior to her current role, Virginia worked with zookeepers at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where she specialized in animal husbandry and positive reinforcement training techniques. She also worked at the St. Louis Zoo, and conducted a successful enrichment study with the zoo’s American river otters.

Virginia earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with an emphasis in animal behavior from Washington University in St. Louis.