David Franco

Chief Financial Officer

David Franco leads the planning and implementation of financial strategies for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance with both head and heart.

Franco is a strong financial executive with a proven CFO track record. Prior to joining San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in 2020, Franco served as CFO of Vulcan Inc., the late Paul Allen’s globally minded organization, which encompassed financial leadership of investment management, real estate development, museums, and philanthropic initiatives, including wildlife conservation efforts. Before his work with Vulcan, Franco spent 10 years working in the cruise industry, supporting Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn in several roles, including two years as CFO. He also spent seven years at The Walt Disney Company in a corporate role supporting merger and acquisition activities, material transaction review, and developing accounting policies, and also worked in their consumer products division. 

Franco has always placed high value on organizations that work for good. At Vulcan, he played a large part in supporting the company’s role as a business that considers the overall balance of ecosystems and wildlife. This experience makes Franco well suited to support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a leading international conservation organization.

Franco holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from California State University, Northridge.