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.
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 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 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
Sapphire Husky, Director of People & Culture
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.
Dr. Barb Carra
Harvey Doerr
Laura Gill
Denise Hamilton
Jeff Hart
Oliver Ho
Rachel Moore
Sheila O’Brien
Karen Prentice
Sonya Savage
Perry Spitznagel
Dr. Renate Weller
