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Based on conversations with CEOs and board members, as well as our executive search work, we’ve gathered 10 best practices for navigating leadership transitions and succession planning in zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions.
Congratulations to the 2025 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.
Do you have clarity around who’s walking through your gates, who’s not, and where the opportunities lie? Learn how Canopy uses audience analytics and mapping tools to align mission and margin, empowering cultural attractions to make data-driven decisions that support strategic growth and impact.
A bold design concept needs a practical foundation — one that connects mission and margin, creativity and feasibility. That’s why the process of integrated planning is so valuable for cultural organizations. In this conversation with Unknown Studio’s Partner & Co-Founder, Claire Agre, we discuss collaboration, client readiness, and the evolving role of design in shaping sustainable, connected places.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Succession planning doesn’t have to be cumbersome if you approach the process with foresight, preparedness, and collaboration. Dr. Jackie Ogden shares five lessons to help leaders navigate the responsibility of succession planning with clarity and ease.
Duane Hills is the Deputy Director at Cameron Park Zoo and a cohort member of AZA’s 2025 Executive Leadership Development Program. We chatted with Duane about his experience in the program thus far, his career journey and leadership goals, and his perspectives on the future of our field.
Meet Yasmine Gaudin: Assistant Supervisor of Day Camps & Family Programs at the Phoenix Zoo and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
Benchmarking is incredibly useful in business and strategic planning, but there’s a downside that doesn’t get talked about much. When the industry’s comfort zone shrinks, caution turns into conformity and safety turns into sameness. A level of risk is necessary if cultural organizations want to survive — and that means experimenting beyond the benchmark.
Meet Cherie Dumas Nobles: Research Program Manager at the Audubon Nature Institute and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2026 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
Whether you’re exploring new opportunities or positioning yourself for future growth, this guide will give you an inside look into an executive search from the recruiter’s perspective — including proven success strategies and pitfalls to avoid as you navigate the process.
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