Our Governance

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 is the Interim Chief Executive Officer and 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.

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.

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.

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.