Women of Distinction: Sarah Crupi

The moment Sarah Crupi, CEO of The Cleveland Zoological Society, walks out of her office, she sees the elephants who call the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo their home.

“It gives me such peace,” Crupi says. “It’s also a fantastic reminder of the quality of the zoo’s African Elephant Crossing — one of the best elephant habitats in North America.”

Crupi may love pachyderms, but she doesn’t play favorites. Her work includes guiding her team to raise more than $31 million from donors for the zoo’s transformational Primate Forest’s phase 1, opening later this year.

Looking ahead to her nonprofit’s 2027-2029 strategic plan, Crupi wants to continue the “incredible revenue growth and incredible momentum” the zoo’s philanthropic support organization has provided. And, like the elephants she adores, Crupi has a good memory. She doesn’t forget the donors, her staff and board of directors, whom she credits for her success.