“Learn from my mistakes!” Jackie Ogden reflects on her leadership journey and shares five invaluable lessons for emerging leaders.
Lessons I Have Learned: Advice for Emerging Leaders
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Leadership
Living a Little Off Balance: Centering Ourselves Around What’s Important
When the world turns upside down, we must center ourselves around what’s most important: taking care of one another. David Walsh shares his perspective on the current climate and the Canopy team’s commitment to doubling down on our values.
Lessons I Have Learned: Leading with Heart
“Self-development is especially critical in our field, where we are seeking to change the world. To state the obvious, changing the world is not easy, and it has become clear to me that we will not be successful without exceptional leadership.” In a new series of essays, Jackie Ogden reflects on the lessons she has learned throughout her career to inspire leaders.
The Value of Organizational Culture: Why Investing in Your Culture Should Be Top Priority
A strong organizational culture is not a luxury but a necessity. Canopy’s Vice President, Lori Perkins, shares her perspective on why investing in culture is crucial, and how leaders can actively create and nurture organizational cultures that reflect their values and missions.
AMLAZ Program Update: Cohort Highlights and Final Projects
Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of MIAZS’ Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program! We caught up with several participants to capture their highlights from the program, as well as an overview of the impactful final projects they completed for their respective organizations.
AMLAZ Program Update: In Conversation with Tessaliz Quiles Delgado and Alex Rodriguez
MIAZS’ Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program is wrapping up this month, closing out a successful six-month professional development opportunity for the inaugural cohort. We chatted with two program participants — Tessaliz Quiles Delgado and Alex Rodriguez — on what they’ve learned, how they’ve benefitted from the program, and how our community can support more opportunities like these in the future.
Personal Reflections on Pride Month by David Walsh
David Walsh, Canopy’s President & Chief Advisor, shares his personal experience with Pride as both a Dad and CEO.
AMLAZ Program Update: In Conversation with David Smallwood and Rosalío Rubio
Canopy is proud to be sponsoring three members of MIAZS’ inaugural Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program. We sat down with David and Rosalío, two of the individuals we’re sponsoring, to hear their takeaways from the program thus far.
Canopy Releases Research Initiative Report on Leadership Barriers and Opportunities for Women and People of Color at Zoos and Aquariums
Canopy, with partners Global Aspect Human Capital Advisors and SSA Group, are pleased to share the full report of their research initiative: Understanding Barriers and Opportunities for Women and People of Color in Zoos, Aquariums, and Related Fields.
Advice for Emerging Leaders: A Conversation with Tiffaney McClendon
What makes a great leader? Tiffaney McClendon, Staff Learning and Inclusion Manager at the Birmingham Zoo, shares her tips for professional growth and supporting emerging leaders.
Two Seats at the Table: Navigating the CEO-Board Relationship in Zoos and Aquariums
What is the key to establishing and sustaining a strong board relationship? That’s what we’ve been asking CEOs and board members from zoos and aquariums across the country over the past six months. Through dedicated focus groups — capped by a live panel discussion at the AZA Annual Conference — we’ve been exploring what it takes to build partnerships rooted in trust, clarity, and shared purpose. Read on for some of the best advice that has emerged.
AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Andrea Echeverry-Alcendra
Meet Andrea Echeverry-Alcendra: Zoo and aquarium leader, Conservation Coordinator at the Indianapolis Zoo, and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2025 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Dr. Sheila Poo
Meet Sheila Poo: Z&A leader, Curator of Research at the Memphis Zoo, and a cohort member of the 2025 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
AMLAZ Spotlight: Meet Stephanie Gonzalez
Meet Stephanie Gonzalez: Z&A leader, School Partnerships Supervisor at the Houston Zoo, and a cohort member of the 2025 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
