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WAZA Council

David Field
President
David Field
Chief Executive Officer
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
United Kingdom
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Cynthia W. Spanoulis
Vice President
Cynthia W. Spanoulis
President and CEO
Virginia Aquarium
United States
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Karen Fifield MNZM MInstD
Immediate Past President
Karen Fifield MNZM MInstD
Chief Executive
Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
New Zealand
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Region I: Canada and United States of America

Houston Zoo, USA
Represented by Lisa Peterson
Lisa Peterson
President and CEO
Houston Zoo
United States
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South Carolina Aquarium, USA
Represented by Kevin Mills
Kevin Mills
President and CEO
South Carolina Aquarium
United States
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Toronto Zoo, Canada
Represented by Dolf DeJong
Dolf DeJong
CEO
Toronto Zoo
Canada
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Region II: Europe and the Middle East

Alpenzoo Innsbruck, Austria
Represented by Dr André Stadler
Dr André Stadler
CEO
Alpenzoo Innsbruck
Austria
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Chester Zoo, United Kingdom
Represented by Dr Simon Dowell
Dr Simon Dowell
Conservation Science and Policy Director
Chester Zoo
United Kingdom
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Helsinki Zoo, Finland
Represented by Dr Sanna Hellström DVM
Dr Sanna Hellström DVM
CEO
Helsinki Zoo
Finland

Region III: Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia (excluding the Middle East), and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands)

Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore
Represented by Dr Sonja Luz
Dr Sonja Luz
CEO
Mandai Nature
Singapore
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Melbourne Zoo, Australia
Represented by Dr Sally Sherwen
Dr Sally Sherwen
Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science
Melbourne Zoo
Australia
Taipei Zoo, Taipei
Represented by Dr Eric Tsao
Dr Eric Tsao
CEO of the Conservation and Research Center
Taipei Zoo

Taipei

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Association Seats

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), USA
Represented by Craig Hoover
Craig Hoover
Executive Vice President
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
United States
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European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), The Netherlands
Represented by Myfanwy Griffith
Myfanwy Griffith
Executive Director
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
The Netherlands
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Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA), Chile
Represented by Dr Alexandra Guerra
Dr Alexandra Guerra
Executive Director
Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Chile
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Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), Australia
Represented by Nicola Craddock
Nicola Craddock
Executive Director
Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia
Australia
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Observer Seats (Non-voting)

IUCN Species Survival Commission, Australia
Represented by Dr Kira Mileham
Dr Kira Mileham
Strategic Advisor
IUCN Species Survival Commission
Australia
International Zoo Educators Association, USA
Represented by Dr Sarah Thomas
Dr Sarah Thomas
President
International Zoo Educators Association
United States

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.

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David Field
Chief Executive Officer
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
United Kingdom
Bio
David has been the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Chief Executive Officer since 2020, based at Edinburgh Zoo. His previous roles include Chief Executive of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, Zoological Director of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Curator of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, and Assistant Director of Dublin Zoo.
In 2025 David was elected as President of WAZA having served as Vice President since 2023 From 2021 – 2025 David chaired the WAZA Population Management Committee and attended WAZA on Council. David represented WAZA as the Reverse the Red Co-Chair until the end of 2025.
David has served as Chair of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) and is the current President of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK). David is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Cynthia W. Spanoulis
President and CEO
Virginia Aquarium
United States
Bio
Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis is the President & CEO of the Virginia Aquarium. She’s spent more than 30 years in public service and leadership roles. Cynthia holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, which shaped her practical, people-centered approach to leadership. She enjoys working with a passionate team, supporting education and conservation, and helping visitors connect with marine life.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Being part of WAZA means helping lead a worldwide commitment to animal welfare, wildlife protection, conservation advancement, and public inspiration.
Karen Fifield MNZM MInstD
Chief Executive
Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
New Zealand
Bio
Karen is the Chief Executive of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo and is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to Business and Animal Welfare. She has also been the President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia. Karen was recognised as one of the Power 10 Zoo and Aquarium Blooloop Top 50 Influencers in the 2023 Awards.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Being part of WAZA Council means so much to me. As a collective for good, WAZA can change the world and being on Council helps drive the standards and outcomes we need as progressive zoos and aquariums. It’s a privilege to be on WAZA Council and to with people to protect the planet.
Lisa Peterson
President and CEO
Houston Zoo
United States
Bio
Lisa Peterson is President and CEO of the Houston Zoo, leading a conservation organization that welcomes more than 2 million guests annually and advances impactful initiatives, including the recovery of the Houston toad and gorilla protection in Rwanda. With 27 years of executive leadership experience, she previously served as the first woman Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where she advanced conservation for species ranging from platypus and rhinos to lions, elephants, and California condors, as well as mountain lions and burrowing owls. She championed community-based conservation by empowering Kenyan women through artisan partnerships and led the transformative Elephant Valley project. At the Houston Zoo, Peterson is elevating signature habitats such as the Galápagos Islands and Texas Wetlands and advancing access and belonging through the Zoo for All initiative. A board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, she serves on the Animal Population Management and Finance Committees. She is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of conservation leaders. Her leadership roots at Apple and White Lodging, combined with global partnerships, continue to position the Houston Zoo as a leader in biodiversity conservation and education.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Serving on the WAZA Council reminds me daily of the power of a collective global voice. Together, we honor and advance the standards that elevate our profession, challenge us to lead with integrity, and hold us accountable to the promise of optimal care and lifelong well-being for the wildlife entrusted to us and the communities we serve.
Kevin Mills
President and CEO
South Carolina Aquarium
United States
Bio
Kevin Mills has led the South Carolina Aquarium for 20 years, overseeing its development into the most visited destination in the region, a national model for coastal resilience, and a global leader in sea turtle care and rehabilitation. He is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and previously was Vice President, Marketing for the Saint Louis Zoo. He began his career with the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and holds a journalism degree from the University of Kansas.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
I believe in our collective power to inspire generations of schoolchildren, mobilize our more than 700 million guests, and inform key environmental policies at a local and global level. Together, we are capable of saving endangered species, protecting wild places, and creating a future where all life is valued and protected.
Dolf DeJong
CEO
Toronto Zoo
Canada
Bio
Dolf DeJong is the CEO of the Toronto Zoo and a leader dedicated to advancing conservation through community connection, scientific curiosity, and forward-looking innovation. Since 2018, he has guided transformative projects that enhance wildlife care, deepen public engagement, and expand educational impact. His work reflects a commitment to making nature meaningful, accessible, and inspiring for people of all ages.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Being part of the WAZA Council is an opportunity to help strengthen global collaboration in conservation, animal welfare, and education. It means bringing the Toronto Zoo’s inclusive, science-driven approach to a shared international mission, while learning from peers around the world. For me, it’s a chance to help shape a more connected, innovative, and impactful future for our community.
Dr André Stadler
CEO
Alpenzoo Innsbruck
Austria
Bio
I started my professional zoo carrer as curator of the WAZA member Wuppertal Zoo, Germany in 2007 till 2018. In that time I also became the ISB and EEP studbook keeper for the Pudu and Black-footed cat till 2018. Since 2009 I am also active as EAZA Felid TAG Vice Chair. At the 1. January onwards I became with great pleasure the zoodirector and CEO of the WAZA member Alpenzoo Innsbruck, Austria. From April 2019-April 2025 I additionally took over the position as chair of the EAZA Technical Assistance committee with seats on EAZA Council, Executive comittee and Membership and ethics committee. Additionally I have a seat at the board of the german and also the austrian zoo association (VdZ and OZO). Beside that I am lecturer for zoo biology at the Innsbruck University and active in two IUCN SG. My heart project is the conservation of the highly endangered Bavarian pine vole with the highlight of establishing an IUCN Center for Species Survival for small mammals.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
To be a council member of the World Zoo Association is not only a personal honor but also for the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo. An association is only as strong as its members offer to participate and to take some work load. For me it is the third term and the logical and consequent step to finalize the tasks we already started in the last years and the upcoming ones like the WAZA Population Management Goal or the 2030 WAZA Conservation Goal.
Dr Simon Dowell
Conservation Science and Policy Director
Chester Zoo
United Kingdom
Bio
I was Chester Zoo’s Conservation Science & Policy Director (2016–2025) and am now their Senior Advisor on Conservation Strategy. I led the development of their 10-year Conservation Plan and continue to guide their science, education and global outreach. I am a developer of the Zoo Spheres model and have chaired IUCN Specialist Groups for Galliformes and actively contributed to their conservation in several countries.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
WAZA has a vital role in ensuring zoos and aquariums work together to play their part in global efforts to reverse the nature and climate crisis. I am excited to have the opportunity to support this directly which I will do by championing WAZA goals, exploring new funding approaches, highlighting sector impact and enhancing WAZA’s influence in global environmental forums.
Dr Sonja Luz
CEO
Mandai Nature
Singapore
Bio
Dr Sonja Luz is the CEO of Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, and a Singapore-based non-profit organisation established with the aim of advancing biodiversity protection efforts in Singapore and Asia.
Dr Luz delivers and scales conservation and research programmes for Mandai Wildlife Group applying the One Plan Approach and ensuring that ex-situ and in-situ conservation efforts are well aligned. Across the Southeast Asia region Mandai Nature supports and works closely with other ex-situ facilities and conservation organisations, driving strategic partnerships for positive impact for species recovery and stabilisation.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Serving on the WAZA Council is an honour and an opportunity to advance conservation that benefits wildlife, people and nature. I believe in integrating in-situ and ex-situ efforts for greater impact, and aim to draw on Mandai Wildlife Group’s collective expertise to help foster better alignment, growth and collaboration across zoos, in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Dr Eric Tsao
CEO of the Conservation and Research Center
Taipei Zoo
Taipei
Bio

Eric is currently the CEO of the Conservation and Research Center and the Acting Director of Taipei Zoo. He was trained as a field biologist and earned his PhD from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University. His work has involved a wide range of conservation initiatives, not only in Taipei but also on a global scale.

What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
It has been both inspiring and deeply rewarding to collaborate with a group of visionary leaders from zoos around the world. Through this collaboration, we exchange diverse cultures and perspectives, establish strategies to uphold professional standards, develop guidelines for best practices, and coordinate global conservation actions to safeguard species from extinction.
Craig Hoover
Executive Vice President
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
United States
Bio
Craig is the Executive Vice President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Craig is a part of the executive team that manages the Association, which represents more than 8,000 members, including more than 250 accredited zoological institutions in thirteen countries. Craig joined AZA in 2019, bringing with him more than 25 years of international wildlife conservation experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and World Wildlife Fund.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
I am grateful to serve on the WAZA Council, both to represent the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and our members, and to help guide the future of WAZA and the global zoo and aquarium community. We are better together, and the WAZA Council is a key body to assure that we are working toward our shared goals of advancing the profession, conservation, and the wellbeing of animals in our care.
Myfanwy Griffith
Executive Director
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
The Netherlands
Bio
I have been the Executive Director of EAZA since 2014 and bring animal, educational, and leadership experience to the role. I value continuing professional development and hold qualifications in Behavioural Ecology and Association Management. I gained practical experience working in zookeeper and education roles at a zoo in the UK and undertaking field research in Africa. My true passion and skills lie in connecting with people about the wonders of wildlife, and I am strongly motivated by collaborating on activities toward effective conservation in all its forms.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Being part of WAZA Council means contributing to global cooperation and advancement of zoos and aquariums.
Dr Alexandra Guerra
Executive Director
Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Chile
Bio
Alexandra Guerra Ramírez is a Veterinarian and holds a Diploma in Animal Behavior and Welfare. She directs the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (ALPZA), where she has been a member since 2013. With over seven years as Executive Director, she applies her leadership in international relations to foster cooperation and positive impact on regional conservation.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
Being part of the WAZA Council ensures that the voice and commitment of Latin America are represented at the highest global level. It is a vital opportunity to promote excellence in conservation, achieve alignment of standards, and strengthen collaboration among our communities.
Nicola Craddock
Executive Director
Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia
Australia
Bio
Nicola is the Executive Director of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA)and is dedicated to advancing sector knowledge, animal welfare, conservation, and sustainable practices, while delivering strong membership services to zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks.
Nicola holds an MBA and GAICD qualifications, has represented ZAA on WAZA Council since 2019, currently chairs the WAZA Membership Committee and also serves on the Species360 Board of Trustees.
What being part of the WAZA Council means to you?
WAZA’s strategy is strong, there is momentum for progress and a real opportunity for continued collective efforts to support the global zoo and aquarium community as the need for good zoos / aquariums and real conservation impact becomes more and more vital. Participating in this forward trajectory as an Association member supports important global advancements both regionally and internationally.