Meet Your 2025–2027 WAZA Council

We are delighted to share the results of the 2025–2027 WAZA Council Elections. This year, an outstanding 86% of WAZA voting members cast their votes, a significant rise compared with 75% in 2021–2023 and 71% in 2023–2025. This record turnout is a testament to the strength of our global community and your commitment to WAZA’s mission. With candidates representing every region, the results reflect a truly global voice shaping WAZA’s future. Thank you to everyone who participated and made your voice count in this important election. 

Your WAZA Council 2025–2027 

With 21 candidates standing for 15 seats. We thank all the candidates for their support towards WAZA. We are pleased to welcome the new Council, who will commence their term on 30 October 2025. 

President: Mr David Field
Chief Executive Officer, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) 

Mr David Field, CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, has held senior leadership roles at ZSL, Dublin Zoo and the Zoological Society of East Anglia, and currently serves as WAZA Vice President, Chair of the Population Management Committee, and Reverse the Red Co-Chair. 

Vice President: Mrs Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis
President and CEO at Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, USA 

Mrs Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis, President and CEO of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, currently chairs the WAZA Finance Committee and serves on the Executive Committee, championing transparency, sound governance and mission-driven priorities. 

Immediate Past President: Karen Fifield MNZM
Chief Executive at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, New Zealand

Through her exceptional leadership as WAZA President, Karen has strengthened WAZA’s global voice, driven progress toward the 2030 Conservation Goal, and fostered collaboration and excellence within our community.

Regional Representative Institutions – Region I (Canada and USA): 

• Houston Zoo represented by Ms Lisa Peterson 

Ms Lisa Peterson, President and CEO of the Houston Zoo, brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, advancing global conservation partnerships and education, and serves on the AZA Animal Population Management and Finance Committees. 

• South Carolina Aquarium represented by Mr Kevin Mills 

Mr Kevin Mills, President and CEO of the South Carolina Aquarium, has led the institution’s growth into a global conservation leader, advancing sea turtle care, STEM education and climate resilience, with previous leadership at the Saint Louis Zoo. 

• Toronto Zoo represented by Mr Dolf DeJong 

Mr Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, is committed to inclusive, community-based conservation, leading initiatives in sustainability, education and Canada’s Wildlife Cryobank while building strong partnerships with Indigenous groups and schools. 

Regional Representative Institutions – Region II (Europe and Middle East): 

• Alpenzoo Innsbruck represented by Dr André Stadler 

Dr André Stadler, CEO of Alpenzoo Innsbruck, has extensive experience in zoo leadership across Europe, serving on EAZA Council and committees, and is dedicated to species conservation, including the Bavarian pine vole. 

• Chester Zoo represented by Dr Simon Dowell 

Dr Simon Dowell, Conservation Science and Policy Director at Chester Zoo, has shaped the zoo’s 10-year Conservation Masterplan, chaired IUCN Species Specialist Groups, and driven science, education and conservation partnerships at national and international level. 

• Helsinki Zoo represented by Dr Sanna Hellström, DVM 

Dr Sanna Hellström, CEO of Helsinki Zoo, is a veterinarian and former senior advisor in food safety, who has transformed the zoo into a leading conservation foundation and is overseeing major infrastructure and master planning projects. 

Regional Representative Institutions – Region III (Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania): 

• Mandai Wildlife Group represented by Dr Sonja Luz 

Dr Sonja Luz, CEO of Mandai Nature in Singapore, leads biodiversity protection efforts across Asia, supporting over 50 species projects, and convenes global alliances including the IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival and the Asian Species Action Partnership. 

• Melbourne Zoo represented by Dr Sally Sherwen 

Dr Sally Sherwen, Director of Wildlife Conservation and Science at Melbourne Zoo, is an animal welfare scientist whose applied research has influenced global zoo practices, strengthened conservation outcomes, and advanced partnerships with First Peoples. 

• Taipei Zoo represented by Dr Eric Tsao 

Dr Eric Tsao, CEO of the Conservation and Research Center at Taipei Zoo, has led major conservation initiatives, strengthened regional collaborations, and represented Region III on the WAZA Council since 2021. 

Associations Representatives: 

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) represented by Mr Craig Hoover 

Mr Craig Hoover, Executive Vice President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), brings more than 25 years of experience in international wildlife conservation and diplomacy, and currently serves on the WAZA Council as Chair of the Associations Committee. 

• European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) represented by Ms Myfanwy Griffith

Ms Myfanwy Griffith, Executive Director of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) since 2014, has guided the association’s growth and strategic development, and contributes to WAZA through her service on Council, and previously as Chair of the Associations Committee.

• Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA) represented by Dr Alexandra Guerra 

Dr Alexandra Guerra, Executive Director of the Latin American Zoo and Aquarium Association (ALPZA), has over 15 years’ experience leading regional initiatives for biodiversity protection, sustainable practices and professional development, and is dedicated to advancing WAZA’s mission in Latin America.

• Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) represented by Ms Nicola Craddock 

Ms Nicola Craddock, Executive Director of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), has represented the region on the WAZA Council since 2019 and currently chairs the WAZA Membership Committee, while also serving on several other committees and international boards.

Observer Seats

• IUCN Species Survival Commission, Australia
  Represented by Dr Kira Mileham
• International Zoo Educators Association, USA
  Represented by Dr Sarah Thomas

WAZA would like to thank the Nominating Committee ‑ Chair Dr Clément Lanthier (CEO and President, Calgary Zoo), Peggy Sloan (CEO and President, Seattle Aquarium), Elaine Bensted (former CEO Zoos SA), and Dr Thomas Kauffels (Director, Opel‑Zoo) ‑ for their work in this election.  

Thank You to Our Outgoing Council Members 

As we welcome our new Council, commencing their term on 30 October 2025, we take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to those concluding their term. 

We extend our deep appreciation to Karen Fifield MNZM (Chief Executive at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo) for her exceptional leadership as WAZA President over the past two years – and throughout 2025, a milestone year marking WAZA’s 90th anniversary.

During her term, Karen has led us in strengthening WAZA’s role as a global unifying voice for the zoo and aquarium community and in laying the groundwork for our 2030 Conservation Goal, while reminding us of our Association’s enduring legacy and our collective responsibility to drive conservation, collaboration, and excellence into the future. Karen will continue to serve on the WAZA Council as a non-voting member in her capacity as Immediate Past President and, in accordance with the WAZA Bylaws, will chair the WAZA Nominating Committee for the 2025–2027 term. 

We would also like to thank the outgoing Council members for their dedication and service: Dr Clément Lanthier (Outgoing WAZA Immediate Past President), Dr Alejandro Grajal (CEO and President at Woodland Park Zoo), Dr Brandie Smith (John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ), Jamie Christon (Chief Executive Officer at Chester Zoo), Elaine Bensted (Former Chief Executive at Zoos South Australia), and Dr Judy Mann-Lang (Executive – Strategic Projects at Two Oceans Aquarium). 

Finally, we warmly thank our Council observer, Peggy Sloan (CEO and President at Seattle Aquarium) for her valuable contributions and commitment to the Council. 

Next Steps

We look forward to officially welcoming the new Council at the 2025 WAZA Annual Conference this October. 

Thank you again for your trust, your votes, and your continued commitment to building a thriving future for wildlife.