CYNTHIA W. SPANOULIS | President and CEO, Virginia Aquarium

In 2018, Cynthia Spanoulis became head of Virginia Beach’s aquarium and marine science center, as well as its foundation, which partners with the city in funding the attraction that drew more than 625,000 visitors in fiscal 2024.

It’s an important job. The aquarium delivers more than $265 million in economic benefits annually, and employees care for thousands of animals that live at the aquarium.

Under Spanoulis’ leadership, the aquarium opened the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center, a facility for the Stranding Response Program, which coordinates responses for all marine mammals and sea turtles that come ashore in Virginia. She also led development and construction for the renovation and expansion of the aquarium’s South Building, which opened in 2024.

This summer, Spanoulis was elected vice president of the 2025-27 World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Council.

Before coming to the aquarium, Spanoulis joined the City of Virginia Beach’s economic development department as a strategy and performance coordinator in 1996. In that role, which she filled for more than 16 years, her responsibilities included marketing, media, budgeting and special projects. In 2012, she became deputy director of the aquarium.

Spanoulis earned a degree in political science and urban affairs and a master’s in public administration from Virginia Tech.

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