Leadership
Dr. Kyle Burks, President & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Kyle Burks recently joined the Wilder Institute’s executive team as President and CEO in January 2025.
With more than 20 years of diverse experience in broad-based management, wildlife conservation, and animal care, Dr. Burks brings a unique combination of animal expertise and cutting-edge business principles. He has held executive and senior leadership roles at Sacramento Zoo, Denver Zoo, and The Walt Disney Company. Most recently, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. Dr. Burks earned both his doctorate and master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.
A passionate advocate for conservation, Dr. Burks is deeply committed to advancing the Wilder Institute’s mission of restoring balance between wildlife and human life, together. He has long admired the Wilder Institute’s impactful conservation.
Jamie Dorgan, Chief Operating Officer
Jamie Dorgan is the 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, 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.
Sapphire Husky, Interim Chief People & Culture Officer
Sapphire Husky (she/her) is the Interim Chief People and Culture Officer for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
Sapphire’s career has spanned more than 15-years in senior HR leadership roles across numerous industries including: Security, Retail, Telecommunications, Not for Profit and Government, with an unwavering focus on fostering positive workplace culture and implementing strategic people initiatives.
Sapphire plays a pivotal role in shaping our workplace environment, nurturing talent, and driving initiatives that align with our values and goals and promote a culture of collaboration and innovation. Sapphire is the Chair of Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee and a passionate fan of hippopotamus.
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, Chief Development & External Relations Officer
As a member of the executive team, Steven (he/him) is responsible for leading fundraising, government relations, branding, marketing and communications for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, combining his passion for storytelling and relationship building to mobilize conservation action.
He has nearly 20-years of experience working in fund development and cause-marketing specializing in the development of strategic partnerships for leading non-profit organizations. Prior to joining the zoo in 2020, Steven held senior leadership roles at the Nature Conservancy of Canada, most recently as the Director of Development & Communications. Steven possesses a great level of expertise in strategic planning, fund development, marketing & engagement, sustainability, project management, and leadership.
Steven has a lifelong passion for the environment and has given his time, talent and voice to help mobilize private and public investment in transformative conservation initiatives. He holds an undergraduate degree in Nonprofit Studies from Mount Royal University, a Masters of Environment & Management from Royal Roads University and is a CFRE certified environmental professional.
Senior Leadership
Alison Archambault, Director of Brand & Engagement
Colleen Baird, Director of Animal Care, Health & Welfare
Brandi Chuchman, Associate Director of Conservation & Science
Darryl Dziadyk, Director of Facilities & Grounds
Vanessa Frydman, Controller
Kathryne Gibson, Director of Development
Todd Hendrickson, Director of Information Technology
James Neilson, Director of Guest Services
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, Vice Chair
Bill Fisher, Secretary and Governance Committee Chair
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.
Cindy Ady
Dr. Barb Carra
Harvey Doerr
Laura Gill
Denise Hamilton
Jeff Hart
Rachel Moore
Sheila O’Brien
Nuvyn Peters
Karen Prentice
Sonya Savage
Perry Spitznagel
Dr. Renate Weller
