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 Chris Conner: Z&A leader, PhD candidate, and one of Canopy’s sponsored participants in the 2025 Advancing Minority Leadership in Aquariums & Zoos Program.
Canopy is proud to be sponsoring the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ 2025 Ted A. Beattie Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) and supporting the advancement of leaders in our field. We connected with current and former program participants to hear about their leadership journeys, including what drives them as leaders, the most valuable lessons they’ve learned, and what they envision for the future of the Z&A field.
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.
Canopy’s Business Analytics Manager, Lauren Haskins, shares an inside look into our process of economic analysis and financial modeling — and the value of using extensive data to drive strategic goals and decisions.
Several years ago, the Kentucky Science Center was just a sole location in Louisville, working to serve the whole state and neighboring regions. We interviewed Mike Norman, CEO, to hear his perspective on how Canopy’s market-driven feasibility study led to the Science Center’s expansion — creating sustainable growth, broader community impact, and vital education access.
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