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President and CEO of the Wilder Institute/ Calgary Zoo, Dr. Clément Lanthier, will retire from his position on June 30, six months ahead of the previously-announced date of December 2024, marking the end of over 20 years with the organization.
Lanthier has been with the organization since 2003 and became president and CEO in 2007, overseeing projects such as the Penguin Plunge exhibit in 2012, and more recently the overhaul of the Canadian Wilds, now known as Wild Canada, which brought back polar bears for the first time since 1999.
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“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”, said Lanthier.
“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.”
It was previously announced that Lanthier would retire from his position at the end of 2024, but a Monday news release from the Wilder Institute/ Calgary Zoo says that the retirement date as been moved up to the end of this month.
“At the beginning of 2024, Dr. Lanthier announced he would be retiring in 2024. With key organizational initiatives well in hand, a strong executive team at the helm and the international search for his successor underway, the end of June felt like the right time for him to step away,” said Alison Archambault, director of brand and engagement with the zoo on why the retirement date was moved up.
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The board of directors has formed a search committee to identify a CEO-successor. The board is anticipating the announcement of a new CEO in the coming months, according to the release.
Jamie Dorgan has been appointed interim CEO of Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, in addition to his responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer.
Dorgan has worked in animal welfare and conservation management for over two decades, with the last 18 months spent working as the Chief Operating Officer of Wilder Institute/ Calgary Zoo. He sits on numerous industry committees as well as endangered species recovery teams.
– With files from Steven Wilhelm
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