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Our Governance

The Wilder Institute’s Executive Team and Board of Directors are a diverse group of passionate individuals that bring experience from a range of fields including science, law, policy, business, industry, education, and more. 

Our Executive Team


Dr. Clement Lanthier, President & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Clément Lanthier joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in 2003 as Director of Live Collections. In 2007, he was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Lanthier is responsible for leading a high-performing management team and shaping the institution’s vision, mission, master plan and culture.

Clément leverages a distinctive blend of knowledge, experience, values and skills to lead wildlife conservation organizations with strong emphasis on animal welfare, science and customer experience.

He currently serves as President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and previously served as past President of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past Board member of SPECIES360 and as past President of the Canadian Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. He is proud to be an Honorary Chief of the Wechiau Community Hippopotamus Sanctuary in North West Ghana.

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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.

Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Animal Science and is a graduate of the AZA Executive Leadership Development Program.

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.

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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.

Adrian holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (with honours) from the University of British Columbia and a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Adrian is married to his high school sweetheart, and they are proud new parents.

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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. In this newly created role, Gráinne is also responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight to the Conservation & Science Department.

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 brings a wealth of expertise in leading transformations, translocations and capacity building to increase conservation impact exponentially.

Gráinne is a member of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, as well as a member of the IUCN BIOPAMA Regional Advisory Committee. She received her PhD in Ecological Anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her Masters in Primatology from the University of Calgary in Alberta.

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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 & 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 communities to create change and develop sustainable solutions. He holds an undergraduate degree in Nonprofit Studies from Mount Royal University, and a Masters of Environment & Management from Royal Roads University.

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Our Board of Directors

Barbara Conkie

Board Chair

Jennifer Koury

Vice-chair

Bill Fisher

Secretary and Governance and Legal Committee Chair

Karyn Brooks

Treasurer and Finance and Risk Committee Chair

Hunter Wight

Fund Development Committee Chair

Barb Carra

Jason Clifton

Laura Gill

Denise Hamilton

Oliver Ho

Thomas Lui

Rachel Moore

Sheila O’Brien

Susannah Pierce

Karen Prentice

Perry Spitznagel