Opportunity:
When Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium experienced a gap in senior leadership within its animal care team, Canopy Strategic Partners was engaged to provide interim leadership and transition support. The project came at a pivotal moment for the Zoo, as the team worked to strengthen communication, clarify roles, and cultivate a more unified culture among the animal care and science teams.
Canopy’s consultant served in an interim leadership role, directly managing the Animal Care Department, while the team recruited a new Chief Zoological Officer. Through a combination of on-site and virtual leadership, the consultant facilitated cultural change, strengthened accountability structures, and built greater cohesion and clarity across the teams.
Image courtesy of Visit Omaha
Project Highlights:
Values-Based Framework for Culture Change
The philosophy that “When People Matter, Animals Thrive” served as a unifying and transformative framework, delivered in a presentation to staff across all levels of the Zoo. It introduced a values-based lens through which staff could reexamine communication, collaboration, and accountability, helping to shift team dynamics and reestablish a shared sense of purpose. The messaging was well-received, sparking open dialogue and strong engagement.
Staff-Driven Role and Communication Clarity
With facilitation and guidance, the Animal Care team collaborated to co-develop two foundational tools: a revised Curator job description and a team-wide Communications Commitment. Both tools clarified expectations, formalized professional norms, and supported accountability in constructive ways. Their creation not only addressed immediate gaps, but also laid the groundwork for long-term team effectiveness.
Interim Leadership That Built Capacity
Canopy’s consultant provided interim leadership during a time of organizational vulnerability, creating stability while strengthening internal capacity. Regular staff check-ins, feedback loops, and facilitated meetings in collaboration with Zoo leadership gave curators and scientists space to grow, reflect, and lead.
Result:
The engagement resulted in meaningful shifts across the Animal Care Department, with staff reporting increased morale, stronger collaboration, and greater clarity in roles and expectations. The introduction of a values-based framework helped re–orient the team around a shared purpose, while the co-created Communications Commitment and Curator job description provided practical tools for sustaining progress and encouraging collaboration on other projects and initiatives. By the end of the engagement, the team was demonstrably more cohesive and better prepared to support and continue progress with the incoming Chief Zoological Officer.
“Canopy was a very strong partner as we worked through a leadership transition in a mission critical role. Canopy listened to our needs, provided insights, and helped us set clarity in expectations for our animal care leaders, so that they can thrive and be set up for long-term success under a new leader. Our investment in working with Canopy was an investment in our leaders, as well as providing operational stability through an important transition.”
— Luis Padilla, President & CEO
