Longtime Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo CEO headed for retirement
Posted Jun 10, 2024 11:16 am.
After more than 20 years, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo president and CEO Dr. Clement Lanthier is retiring at the end of the month.
“It has been an exceptional honour and privilege to lead and work alongside the thousands of amazing staff, volunteers, researchers, educators, partners, donors, and others who have dedicated their lives to wildlife conservation and inspired millions of people who experienced the zoo over the years,” he said in a statement.
“I look forward to seeing the organization’s impact growing, the amazing talent flourishing and embracing endangered species stewardship in and ex-situ while continuing to provide fantastic and unique experiences for visitors to the zoo.”
The zoo’s Board of Directors has formed a committee to find a new CEO, and expects it will have an announcement to make on the person filling the position in the coming months.
“We have been very fortunate to have had Dr. Lanthier’s exceptional leadership over the past 20 years and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement,” said board chair Jennifer Koury.
Current chief operating officer (COO) Jamie Dorgan is now also the interim CEO.
The zoo says Dorgan has worked in animal welfare and conservation management for more than two decades, and has served as COO at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for the last 18 months.