Meet the Team
David Walsh
President
Philadelphia, PA
Zachary Winfield
Senior Vice President
Philadelphia, PA
Lori Perkins
Vice President
Atlanta, GA
Anna Musun-Miller
Vice President
Charlotte, NC
Harriet Resnick
Vice President
Chicago, IL
Elise Bernardoni
Director of Engagement
Washington, D.C.
Dan Sheehan Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
Indianapolis, IN
Lauren Haskins
Business Analytics Manager
Buffalo, NY
Sydney Williams
Market Analyst
Washington, D.C.
Lauren David
Project Manager
Houston, TX
Marissa Belau
Project Coordinator
Sacramento, CA
Peggy Sloan
Executive Strategist
Seattle, WA
Imme Hüttmann, PhD
Senior Strategist
San José, Costa Rica
Sara Lee
Senior Strategist
Chicago, IL
T’Noya Thompson, PhD
Senior Strategist
Houston, TX
Peta Wittig
Senior Strategist
Melbourne, Australia
Lorraine Yglesias
Senior Strategist
San Jose, CA
Kim Lengel Senior Strategist
Philadelphia, PA
Sharon Joseph
Senior Strategist
Tucson, AZ
Christina Dembiec
Senior Talent Strategist
Baltimore, MD
Kathayoon Khalil, PhD
Of Counsel
Columbus, OH
Eric Miller, DVM
Emeritus Advisor
Jackie Ogden Emeritus Advisor
Bellingham, WA
Kathy Wagner
Emeritus Advisor
Philadelphia, PA
President and Chief Advisor David Walsh has spent his career connecting organizations with the people and ideas to help them grow.
David founded Canopy Strategic Partners to help cultural attractions, zoos, museums, and botanic gardens find the intersection between mission and margin.
Prior to Canopy, David led new product and business development at PECO Energy and Verizon Communications and launched two successful start-up companies.
He has devoted the past two decades to sharing his expertise in business planning, market analysis, feasibility studies, financial planning, organizational dynamics, and governance studies.
Contact David at dwalsh@canopysp.com
With over 15 years of experience, Zachary Winfield brings an expansive set of skills to Canopy gained through a multifaceted career in the zoo, consulting, and business worlds. He has extensive expertise in business and earned-revenue operations, analytics and data systems, guest services functions, as well as membership, marketing, and fundraising programs.
Zachary has special expertise in creating full-scale, holistic operational models of zoos and aquariums backed with years of industry data from facilities around the country. These models are tailored to each client, helping quantify operating areas, reveal opportunities, and unify disparate data sources into digestible, reliable, and actionable projections.
With an emphasis on analysis, reporting, and data strategies, Zachary guides organizations through choosing and implementing systems that integrate departments, remove silos, and maximize resources. His analytical background also complements strategic and business planning initiatives for Canopy’s clients.
Zach found his niche as the Membership & Marketing Director at Reid Park Zoological Society in Tucson, AZ, where he oversaw membership and marketing operations. He further developed his expertise as a consultant working with zoos, aquariums, and other non-profits throughout the United States. Zach is a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Contact Zach at zwinfield@canopysp.com
Lori Perkins has worked in nearly every job possible at a zoo during her more than three-decade career in wildlife conservation and management.
She was drawn to Canopy by the opportunity to help zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and cultural attractions embrace a broader perspective on their work. Lori guides clients in strategic plan development, drawing on her deep understanding of operational management and workforce leadership to help organizations reach their goals.
She assists clients with workforce optimization, including culture assessment and development, organizational assessment, accreditation, animal welfare, and education strategies.
Lori leads Canopy’s work in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, helping clients create safe spaces to articulate challenges and opportunities surrounding social equity.
Prior to Canopy, Lori served as Deputy Director at the Birmingham Zoo in Alabama, where she led all aspects of animal care, education, and park operations. She previously worked at Zoo Atlanta, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Education and Science Director for Disney Parks & Resorts.
Lori is a recognized expert in the collective management of zoo populations. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Great Apes sanctuary for chimpanzees and orangutans and has also served as chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Lori earned a master’s degree in psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology as a National Science Foundation graduate fellow.
Contact Lori at lperkins@canopysp.com
Anna Musun-Miller began her career in conservation with a simple question: Who wrote the exhibit signs she saw as a teen volunteer at Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas? The answer sparked a decades-long passion for telling stories about animals, museums, and the natural world.
As Vice President overseeing Canopy’s Strategic Planning team, Anna helps clients identify the shared visions and values that shape an organization’s future. Her strategic plans provide clear objectives, actionable steps, and measurable outcomes that help clients track and celebrate their success.
Anna has blended stories and science throughout her career. She double majored in anthropology and English at Vanderbilt University and later earned a master’s degree in museum studies from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Her expertise includes strategic and interpretive planning, content development, evaluation training, and planning.
She spent 15 years as an exhibit developer, curator, and manager creating guest experiences that connect people to organizational missions. As an independent consultant, Anna worked with institutions of all sizes and stages of development, including zoos, aquariums, children’s museums, living history sites, National Heritage Areas, public television stations, and museums of art, history, and culture.
Anna’s commitment to meaningful work drives her passion for supporting Canopy’s clients. She believes that helping mission-driven organizations succeed contributes to building a better future for our planet.
Contact Anna at amusunmiller@canopysp.com
Harriet Resnick brings more than twenty-five years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors to Canopy.
As Vice President of Visitor Experience and Business Development at the Chicago Botanic Garden for more than sixteen years, Harriet served as an executive leader with a strong track record of developing revenue growth strategies and guiding teams to achieve both short- and long-term organizational goals.
During her time with SONY Music, Harriet worked with botanic gardens throughout the United States to help expand earned revenue opportunities and programming through the development of immersive holiday light show experiences, including Lightscape.
Harriet also served as Business Strategy Director at the Field Museum for seven years, working directly with the Chief Financial Officer to develop long-term strategies for increasing earned and contributed revenue through new audiences, experiences, and programming initiatives.
Her early career included working for Mayor Richard M. Daley in the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Budget & Management, where she analyzed the impacts of economic conditions and major legislation on the City of Chicago, including the 1996 Welfare Reform Act.
Harriet holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Contact Harriet at hresnick@canopysp.com
Elise Bernardoni was just thirteen years old when she became certified as a marine mammal medic during a trip to New Zealand. Although she never participated in a stranding rescue operation, she still finds herself scanning every beach she visits for animals in distress.
Elise’s lifelong love for wildlife fuels her passion for supporting mission-driven organizations dedicated to conservation and positive global impact. At Canopy Strategic Partners, she helps clients with strategic planning, education and engagement initiatives, and organizational culture development. She also supports Canopy’s women in leadership initiative.
She is passionate about helping organizations discover and articulate their “why” through collaboration, consensus building, and elevating diverse voices.
Before joining Canopy, Elise spent fifteen years with Friends of the National Zoo’s education team, progressing from unpaid intern to Director of the Education Programs Department. In addition to overseeing lifelong learning programs, she founded and managed an internal grant program supporting keepers and science staff, participated on Smithsonian strategic planning teams, and developed innovative cross-departmental organizational initiatives.
Following her time at Friends of the National Zoo, Elise became a founding member of Conservation Nation, where she helped develop youth leadership programs.
Elise is deeply committed to mentoring students and early-career professionals and has long served as an instructor for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation Learning professional development courses. She also served as President of the National Capital chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and as an Education Co-Advisor for the Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group.
Elise holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Arts in Teaching: Museum Education from The George Washington University.
Contact Elise at ebernardoni@canopysp.com
With more than 15 years of leadership experience across guest experience, operations, and organizational management, Dan Sheehan brings strategic insight, operational expertise, and mission-driven leadership to nonprofit cultural organizations. His career has centered on helping institutions strengthen performance, enhance efficiency, and create meaningful experiences for the guests and communities they serve.
Prior to joining Canopy, Dan worked in Business Solutions for Gateway Ticketing Systems, helping nonprofit clients optimize operations, improve performance, and support sustainable growth.
Throughout his career, Dan has held operations leadership roles at several respected zoos and cultural institutions, including Fort Wayne Zoo, Indianapolis Zoological Society, and Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. In these roles, he oversaw major capital projects, reorganized teams for greater effectiveness, and implemented guest-focused initiatives that enhanced the visitor experience.
Dan is recognized for his collaborative approach, integrity, and ability to guide teams through complex challenges with clarity and trust. He is passionate about helping organizations thrive through data-informed decision-making, authentic leadership, and a people-first mindset.
He enjoys improving organizational health and operational efficiency so nonprofit organizations can focus their energy where it matters most: their mission.
Dan holds a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management and Organizational Leadership from Indiana University.
Contact Dan at dsheehan@canopysp.com
Lauren Haskins brings more than ten years of financial and business operations experience to Canopy, specializing in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. She has a deep passion for working with Excel, identifying patterns in numbers, and transforming data into meaningful stories and insights.
Her career has spanned the higher education and international development sectors, where she has worked with a wide variety of funding streams, including federal, state, foundation, and private funding sources. Having overseen financial operations for multi-million dollar projects, Lauren understands firsthand the critical role operational models play in the success of organizations and initiatives.
Lauren’s appreciation for cultural institutions began during childhood family vacations spent exploring museums, botanical gardens, and zoos. Today, she continues that tradition by planning her travels around visiting cultural organizations and learning from their unique experiences and missions.
This passion for learning and discovery informs her work at Canopy and strengthens her commitment to helping mission-driven organizations succeed.
Lauren holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel, with an emphasis in Institutional Research and Assessment, from Kent State University. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Medaille College.
Contact Lauren at lhaskins@canopysp.com
Sydney M. Williams is a dynamic analyst and data storyteller with expertise in research, strategy, and translating complex information into actionable insights. With experience across academic, nonprofit, corporate, and state government sectors, she excels at uncovering market trends, conducting in-depth research, and crafting compelling narratives that support strategic decision-making.
Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area and spending time exploring museums and aquariums, Sydney developed an early appreciation for cultural institutions and mission-driven organizations. She is excited to support Canopy’s clients and help drive meaningful impact through her work.
Sydney has led program management initiatives at both the academic and state government levels, helping streamline processes, optimize data workflows, and improve organizational outcomes.
Her research experience spans multiple industries, including academic studies in public health and policy, nonprofit impact assessments, and corporate market analysis. This broad background gives her a unique ability to connect data to real-world challenges and opportunities.
Sydney’s work has also taken her internationally, where she has collaborated with communities in Honduras and Kenya on public health initiatives, cross-cultural research, and capacity-building efforts.
She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from East Carolina University.
Contact Sydney at swilliams@canopysp.com
Lauren David has always had a love for animals and the outdoors. From an early age, she enjoyed exploring local zoos, aquariums, and museums, making her work with mission-driven community organizations especially meaningful today.
As Canopy’s Project Manager, Lauren uses her project management expertise to support both the Canopy team and clients throughout every stage of a project. She plays a key role in project planning and coordination, helping ensure projects are organized, collaborative, and executed smoothly.
Lauren is passionate about supporting others and takes pride in being a dependable resource, team member, leader, and problem solver.
She began her career as a stage manager at theaters across the United States, including Williamstown Theatre Festival, American Players Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Shakes in the Park. Those experiences continue to shape her collaborative and detail-oriented approach to project management.
Lauren later transitioned into the architectural design and construction industry, where she further developed her organizational, administrative, and leadership skills.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Production & Stage Management from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lauren is committed to Canopy’s philosophy of providing thoughtful solutions and meaningful support to clients, helping organizations and communities succeed while contributing to a better future.
Contact Lauren at ldavid@canopysp.com
Marissa Belau established a passion for working with mission-driven organizations from an early age. She spent time volunteering with her family as a child, earned her Girl Scout Gold Award in high school, and spent the first 15 years of her career working in nonprofit operations and project management. Wherever she’s lived, Marissa has always prioritized finding a regular volunteer opportunity where she could use her skills to engage with and give back to her community.
As Canopy’s Project Coordinator, Marissa aims to scale her impact, working at the intersection of people and process to support the Canopy team in their work on client-facing projects. Using her close attention to detail and extensive organizational skills, Marissa plays a key role in the behind-the-scenes aspects of internal project management. She takes pride in keeping schedules on track, producing high-quality deliverables, ensuring stakeholders are informed throughout, and connecting the dots of systems-level trends and processes.
Marissa holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and earned a master’s degree in Applied Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Development from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Contact Marissa at mbelau@canopysp.com
A deep commitment to ensuring a habitable, thriving planet for people and wildlife steered Peggy Sloan through a robust and joyful career, serving public and private non-profit organizations where people and nature come face-to-face. Peggy welcomes people into the fold of valuing biodiversity by creating opportunities for them to feel good in and around nature. Aquariums, zoos, gardens, and parks provide a few examples of settings for humans to appreciate the wild.
Through the lens of 25+ years of experience in mission-driven operational excellence, strategic planning, program execution, and community impact, Peggy seeks to maximize opportunities for great work to activate positive change. She leads each effort with pragmatic optimism.
Peggy’s professional service includes Chairing the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Chairing the Aquariums Committee of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). She served key committee leadership roles for AZA and other collaborative membership organizations over the course of her career, and served on boards of science, art, and community-focused non-profits. She has also held C-suite roles at renowned institutions such as the Seattle Aquarium, John G. Shedd Aquarium, and North Carolina Aquarium.
Peggy holds a MSc, Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina and a BSc in Environmental Science from Stockton University. She also completed a two year Chief Executive program for non-profit leaders through the National Art Strategies.
Peggy’s expertise in operational excellence, strategic growth, and community engagement enhances Canopy’s ability to advance planning and execution of strategic intent for mission-driven organizations. She thrives on helping individuals and teams achieve success and realize positive impact for people, planet, and profit.
Imme Hüttmann, PhD has spent more than 15 years building a career centered around informal education institutions, cultural heritage, and meaningful community engagement. Her expertise includes cultural heritage conservation and policy, museum research and evaluation, and exhibit development.
Imme’s passion for informal education began during her time as a fine arts student at the University of Costa Rica, where frequent museum visits sparked her interest in museums and cultural institutions as spaces for learning and connection.
She later earned a master’s degree in Cultural Heritage Conservation Sciences from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, followed by a Ph.D. focused on Central American Cultural Heritage Policies.
Prior to joining Canopy, Imme served as a Research and Evaluation Associate at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where she helped develop bilingual exhibits, led research and evaluation initiatives, and served as co-principal investigator on an NSF-funded project focused on youth engagement and climate action.
She also served as Guest Director of Exhibitions at the Portland Japanese Garden.
Much of Imme’s work centers on making information more accessible through data visualization, bilingual copywriting, and the application of a multicultural perspective. She believes effective communication is essential for educational institutions seeking to create meaningful and lasting change within their communities.
Growing up in South Africa, Sara Lee developed a deep passion for wildlife and nature at an early age. As a child, she loved riding in the back of safari vehicles searching for her favorite animal, the African wild dog. That sense of awe and wonder inspired her lifelong commitment to conservation and sharing that passion with others.
Having lived, worked, studied, and volunteered across five continents, Sara brings a global perspective to her work. She is skilled at helping others build meaningful and lasting connections to conservation through immersive educational experiences, strategic planning, and community engagement initiatives that foster long-term impact.
Most recently serving as Director of Operations at Anne Springs Close Greenway, a nonprofit nature preserve, Sara oversaw all outward-facing operations. She focused on creating positive and safe guest experiences while ensuring the preserve’s mission and programs resonated with visitors and the broader community.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management and a Master of Arts in Communications.
Contact Sara at slee@canopysp.com
T’Noya Thompson, PhD is a visionary servant leader passionate about cultivating purpose-driven leadership across the conservation sector. With more than 20 years of experience spanning marine biology, community engagement, nonprofit strategy, and global conservation initiatives, T’Noya partners with organizations seeking to strengthen themselves from the inside out.
As the founder of Wild Spark Consulting, she collaborates with conservation organizations to ignite and nurture resilient, mission-aligned leadership while maintaining strong connections to community and environmental impact. Her approach combines organizational insight with a people-first philosophy, helping teams align, adapt, and thrive through change.
T’Noya has led multi-million-dollar partnerships, designed immersive field-based graduate courses in The Bahamas, and developed programs ranging from coastal community initiatives to international wildlife conservation efforts.
Her work includes organizational culture assessment, strategic planning, and program development, all grounded in the belief that strong leadership is essential for lasting conservation success.
She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and brings a thoughtful, collaborative presence to every project she undertakes. In addition to her consulting work, T’Noya serves on multiple boards within the conservation and environmental education sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and the power of shared vision.
Whether guiding teams through organizational change or speaking to emerging leaders, T’Noya is committed to helping individuals lead with understanding, clarity, courage, and a deep commitment to both people and the planet.
Contact T’Noya at tthompson@canopysp.com
Peta Wittig’s career has taken her from rural Australia to destinations around the world. Across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, she discovered not only a career in tourism and attractions, but a deeper purpose connected to conservation and guest experience.
Before joining Canopy Strategic Partners, Peta served as General Manager of Phillip Island Nature Parks tourism attractions, helping lead the operations of a unique conservation-focused organization offering ecotourism experiences on Phillip Island, Australia.
At Canopy, Peta brings extensive experience in strategic planning, commercial and operational planning, and the development of outstanding guest experiences that support mission-driven organizations.
In addition to her work with Canopy, Peta also operates as an independent Australian tourism and attractions consultant.
She has opened and managed attractions around the globe, with expertise ranging from startup operations to leading established institutions. Her notable projects include work with Melbourne Aquarium, Dubai Aquarium, The Green Planet Dubai, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and St. Louis Aquarium.
In recognition of her contributions to the industry, Peta was named one of the Blooloop Top 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencers in 2023.
Passionate about tourism, conservation, and animal welfare, Peta serves on the IAAPA Asia Advisory Committee and volunteers with her local animal shelter’s Finance & Audit Committee. While living in the United Arab Emirates, she also founded a pet microchipping database and adoption website to help address the growing number of animals in need.
Contact Peta at pwittig@canopysp.com
Lorraine Yglesias is a dynamic marketing executive known for amplifying brands and expanding engagement, particularly within the Latine community. As Director of Multicultural and Inclusive Marketing at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, she helped increase Hispanic visitation from 8% to 25% during her two-decade tenure.
Before joining the Aquarium, Lorraine built her communications and marketing expertise with organizations in San Jose and Los Angeles, including Comcast (now Effectv), Lorimar-Telepictures, and The Hollywood Reporter. Throughout her career, she played an important role in expanding U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets for her employers.
A first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants, Lorraine is a passionate advocate, mentor, and supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Her work focuses on environmental stewardship, social and economic justice, and strategic communications.
Her commitment to community leadership runs deep. Lorraine serves on the boards of several Central Coast California organizations dedicated to creating a more equitable future for agricultural workers and advancing land conservation efforts.
She also serves on the Monterey Peninsula Foundation’s Grants Committee, the charitable arm of the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament, and was recently appointed to California’s Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women and Community Action Partnership representing District 5.
Lorraine lives in Carmel Valley with her husband and their fur child, Jasper.
Contact Lorraine at lyglesias@canopysp.com
Kim Lengel has devoted her three-decade zoological career to creating environments where animals, employees, volunteers, and guests can thrive. She believes transformative change occurs when individuals are empowered, aligned with an organization’s mission, and supported in reaching their full potential.
At Canopy Strategic Partners, Kim draws on her extensive leadership experience to provide executive coaching and strategic guidance that helps organizations develop visionary leaders. Her expertise includes hiring and employee engagement, community relations, operational leadership, animal husbandry, accreditation, conservation science, and change management.
Kim helps organizations attract and retain the right people, empower them to meet organizational goals, and create cultures where both individuals and institutions can succeed.
She was drawn to Canopy by the opportunity to help zoos, aquariums, and cultural attractions leverage their unique assets, including animal populations and natural collections, in support of their broader missions.
Kim works closely with organizations to strengthen the connections between animals, people, and the environment through integrated approaches to audience engagement, conservation action, sustainable operations, animal care, and human resources.
She began her career as an intern at the Philadelphia Zoo and later held several leadership roles there, including Vice President of Conservation and Education, International Conservation Program Leader, General Curator, and Children’s Zoo Director.
At the Philadelphia Zoo, Kim led efforts to redesign educational programming to better serve people of all backgrounds and abilities, improving accessibility for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. She also partnered with local school districts to connect students with animals and nature through curriculum-aligned educational programs.
Kim earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College and her master’s degree in Biology from Villanova University. Her graduate work in conservation genetics launched a more than 20-year effort to help save the critically endangered Rodrigues fruit bat from extinction.
In addition to her work at Canopy, Kim teaches in the Animal Biotechnology and Conservation program at Delaware Valley University.
Kim is passionate about helping zoos and cultural organizations engage communities in meaningful action that creates positive impact in the wider world.
Contact Kim at klengel@canopysp.com
Christina Dembiec has spent more than two decades in conservation and education leadership, building capacity, strengthening relationships, and connecting people to mission-driven work that matters. She brings significant experience and a broad network within the global zoo, aquarium, botanic garden, and conservation communities to Canopy’s Leadership and Executive Search practice.
A longtime AZA Professional Development Committee member and Effective Leadership course instructor, Christina has deep familiarity with the programs and pathways that shape leaders across the zoo and aquarium community at every career stage. Her approach is collaborative and detail-oriented, helping refine big ideas into systems that are measurable, equitable, and executable.
Christina’s eye for leadership potential is grounded in both formal training and industry experience. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Organizational Development from Jacksonville University, along with certifications in facilitation and communication.
Her career experience includes animal management and conservation education leadership roles at multiple AZA-accredited institutions, including Dallas Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and Memphis Zoo. She has also served as an adjunct professor at colleges and universities in the United States and United Kingdom.
Most recently, Christina conducted planning, facilitation, and mentorship work for the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG), a global conservation organization.
She also holds a Master of Science in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University and serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Borneo Nature Foundation.
Contact Christina at cdembiec@canopysp.com
Kathayoon Khalil, PhD developed her passion for wildlife and conservation while volunteering as a teenager at the Oregon Zoo, setting her on a path to become an accomplished social scientist and conservation psychologist.
Providing Of Counsel services to Canopy, Kathayoon helps clients engage in future visioning, a process that creatively explores organizational aspirations and long-term goals. This work supports the development of strategic plans with measurable outcomes and clear indicators of success.
Kathayoon is widely recognized as a leader in conservation education, with decades of research focused on how mission-driven organizations can influence public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to conservation.
She helps clients evaluate and strengthen their efforts to educate visitors, inspire community engagement, advocate for public funding, and grow membership support.
Kathayoon is also deeply committed to supporting the next generation of conservation leaders. As an alumna of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program, she helps lead Canopy’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) initiative as well as its emerging leaders initiative. She also serves as an instructor for Project Dragonfly at Miami University of Ohio.
She currently serves as Associate Vice President of Conservation Learning at the New England Aquarium. Prior to that role, Kathayoon was Conservation Impact Manager for the Oregon Zoo and Principal Evaluator for the Seattle Aquarium.
Kathayoon earned her doctorate in Learning Sciences and Technology Design from Stanford University, a Master of Environmental Science from the Yale School of the Environment, and a bachelor’s degree in Organismal Biology from Claremont McKenna College.
She is also a speaker and contributor for Fostering Empathy for Animals, a collaborative initiative involving the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium focused on the role zoos and aquariums play in building empathy for animals and nature.
Kathayoon believes cultural attractions such as zoos, aquariums, and botanic gardens have tremendous potential to inspire conservation action and create lasting value within their communities.
Eric Miller, DVM, Of Counsel to Canopy, brings more than 35 years of experience as a zoo executive and veterinarian. Throughout his distinguished career, Eric rose through the ranks at the internationally recognized Saint Louis Zoo, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President and Director of Zoological Operations.
Eric provides Canopy clients with extensive expertise in conservation strategy, zoological leadership, animal welfare, and organizational operations. His broad experience offers valuable insight into many of the complex issues facing modern zoos and conservation institutions.
He also helps expand Canopy’s international perspective and strengthens its focus on both local and global conservation initiatives.
Dr. Miller played an instrumental role in the founding and development of the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Institute, the umbrella organization supporting the zoo’s global field conservation work. During his tenure, he was also part of the leadership team responsible for opening several award-winning exhibits at the Saint Louis Zoo.
He completed a residency in Zoo Animal Medicine through the Saint Louis Zoo and the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Miller has served as President of both the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the American College of Zoological Medicine. He has also served on the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has been an active member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
Throughout his career, Eric has advised numerous zoological organizations in the United States and internationally, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Luanda Zoo in Angola, Rainforest Habitat in Papua New Guinea, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Contact Eric at remiller@canopysp.com
Jackie Ogden, PhD discovered her passion for working with animals after attending the San Diego Zoo’s summer camp, where she had the opportunity to touch a snake and interact with a bird of prey.
At Canopy Strategic Partners, Jackie draws on more than 30 years of experience in the zoological field to help clients build and develop leadership teams, create strategic plans, and foster organizational cultures that support long-term vision and success.
Jackie spent 19 years with The Walt Disney Company, serving as Vice President of Animals, Science, and Environment for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. During her tenure, she helped Disney achieve national and international recognition for excellence in animal wellbeing, conservation, education, science, and environmental sustainability.
Her executive leadership experience provides Canopy clients with valuable guidance in organizational leadership, administration, conservation strategy, and institutional development.
Jackie is highly respected within both national and global zoological communities. She served as Chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and played a key role in developing the AZA Executive Leadership Development Program and the AZA SAFE initiative, Saving Animals From Extinction.
She also serves on nonprofit and advisory boards, including Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders and GRACE: The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, along with initiatives focused on guest research, environmental education, and conservation psychology.
Jackie earned her PhD in General and Experimental Psychology, specializing in animal behavior, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also certified in executive coaching.
Her work at Canopy is inspired by the belief that zoos, aquariums, and cultural attractions need exceptional leadership to help communities unite around conservation and wildlife protection.
Contact Jackie at jogden391@gmail.com
Kathy Wagner’s career took an unexpected and transformative turn when she completed docent training at America’s first zoo. What began as a new interest for a former Latin teacher evolved into more than 30 years dedicated to conservation, education, and visitor experience at the Philadelphia Zoo.
At Canopy Strategic Partners, Kathy advises clients on strategic planning, education and conservation planning, organizational assessment, and board development. She also leads Canopy’s women in leadership initiative.
Kathy is known for her passion, thoughtful leadership, and deep commitment to helping clients succeed. She brings personal attention and care to every project and believes strongly in the power of mission-driven organizations to create meaningful change.
She began her career at the Philadelphia Zoo in the 1970s within the newly created guest education department and went on to oversee nearly every area connected to education, conservation, visitor services, fundraising, and development.
As Vice President for Conservation and Education, Kathy led the development of numerous award-winning programs. She expanded the zoo’s international conservation efforts, launched sustainability initiatives, and developed the zoo’s first botanical collection plan.
Kathy also served as project director and principal investigator for three National Science Foundation grants and founded a collaborative initiative among four museums and twelve community partners focused on strengthening community engagement and reaching new audiences.
Throughout her career, Kathy has shared her expertise nationally through leadership and service within the zoological and cultural sectors. She was the founding Chair of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Advisory Board and has served on boards including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Visitor Studies Association.
Her community leadership has also included service with organizations such as the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, the Awbury Arboretum Association, and the Center for Aquatic Sciences in Camden, New Jersey.
Kathy earned her undergraduate degree from Bucknell University, a master’s degree from Villanova University, and a management certificate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Her work is inspired by Margaret Mead’s belief: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
