Bow River

Leadership

Jamie Dorgan, Interim Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer

Jamie Dorgan is the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, Jamie provides strategic oversight to the teams responsible for Animal Care, Health and Welfare, Guest Services, Brand & Engagement, Facilities, and Conservation & Science.

His career in animal welfare and conservation management has spanned more than 20 years. He sits on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Animal Population Management Committee, as well as served on several endangered species recovery teams and played a leadership role in initiating several conservation programs, including the greater sage-grouse program at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

Adrian Hamfelt

Adrian Hamfelt, Chief Financial Officer

Adrian Hamfelt joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in March 2020 as the Controller and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2023.

Adrian is a financial executive with over 15 years of international experience leading teams through strategic, collaborative leadership and proactive approaches to complex business issues. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (with honours) from the University of British Columbia and a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Grainne McCabe

Dr. Gráinne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer

Dr. Gráinne McCabe joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in May 2023 as the Chief Conservation Officer. As a member of the executive leadership, she is responsible for leading strategic development for conservation translocations and community conservation initiatives, strengthening connections with stakeholders and partners, and coordinating research for a wide array of international programs dedicated to saving species at risk of extinction.

Gráinne’s career has been spent at the intersection of zoos and conservation, most recently as the Head of Field Conservation and Science for Bristol Zoological Society, United Kingdom, where she directed global conservation work in 10 countries and provision of six university degree programs. She is a member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, as well as a member of the IUCN BIOPAMA Regional Advisory Committee.

Steven Ross

Steven Ross, Chief Development Officer

Steven Ross joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in March 2020 as the Chief Development Officer. As a member of the executive leadership, he is responsible for leading development, fundraising, and external relations. When the Calgary Zoo Foundation rebranded as the ‘Wilder Institute’ in 2021, Steven played a critical role in overseeing its brand development and continues to provide strategic and tactical leadership to enhance and build on Wilder Institute’s fund development portfolio and community engagement initiatives.

Steven is a CFRE certified environmental professional with more than 15 years of experience working in fund development and cause-marketing specializing in the development of strategic partnerships for leading non-profit organizations. He brings a great level of expertise in strategic planning, fund development, marketing and engagement, sustainability, project management, and leadership.

Senior Leadership

Alison Archambault, Director Brand & Engagement

Alison Archambault, Director of Brand & Engagement

Colleen Baird, Interim Associate Director of Animal Care & Welfare

Colleen Baird, Director of Animal Care, Health & Welfare

Brandi Chuchman, Associate Director of Conservation & Science

Brandi Chuchman, Associate Director of Conservation & Science

Darryl Dziadyk, Director Facilities & Grounds

Darryl Dziadyk, Director of Facilities & Grounds

Vanessa Frydman, Controller

Vanessa Frydman, Controller

Kathryne Gibson, Director Major Gifts

Kathryne Gibson, Director of Development

Mark Hoshizaki, Director Information Technology

Mark Hoshizaki, Director of Information Technology

Sapphire Husky, Director of People & Culture

James Neilson, Director of Guest Services

Len Wolstenholme, Senior Advisor External Relations

Len Wolstenholme, Senior Advisor, External Relations

The Board

Officers of the Board

Our Officers of the Board and Board of Directors are comprised of community leaders who help to guide the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s mission and vision.

Jennifer Koury, Board Chair

Jason Clifton

Jason Clifton, Vice Chair

Bill Fisher, Secretary and Governance and Legal Committee Chair

Bill Fisher, Secretary and Governance Committee Chair

Thomas Lui

Thomas Lui, Treasurer and Finance and Risk Committee Chair

The Board

Board of Directors

Elected by the Calgary Zoological Society, our Board of Directors is made up of 16 to 25 volunteers who work together to create a policy framework for the zoo. Read our bylaws here.

Barb Carra

Dr. Barb Carra

Harvey Doerr

Harvey Doerr

Laura Gill

Laura Gill

Denise Hamilton

Denise Hamilton

Jeff Hart

Jeff Hart

Oliver Ho

Oliver Ho

Rachel Moore

Rachel Moore

Sheila O'Brien

Sheila O’Brien

Karen Prentice

Karen Prentice

Sonya Savage

Sonya Savage

Perry Spitznagel

Perry Spitznagel

Renate Weller

Dr. Renate Weller

Hunter Wight

Hunter Wight