Nicola Craddock joined the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) as executive director in 2017. In this role, she focuses on the development of strategy and management of the association’s strategic implementation, risk mitigation, financial planning and stakeholder relationship development.
As a non-profit professional association and peak body, ZAA represents the collective voice of the zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries and wildlife parks across Australasia that operate to the highest standards. ZAA is focused on conservation, preserving biodiversity, and animal health and welfare across members, government and other stakeholders.
Craddock has a background in the entertainment industry, and therefore has experience in a range of roles operating across Australia and New Zealand, including strategic business development, commercial planning, marketing, operations, insights and analytics.
In addition to her role at ZAA, Nicola Craddock is chair of the board of trustees at Species360, which facilitates international collaboration in the collection, sharing and analysis of knowledge on wildlife. As part of its work, Species360 maintains the world’s largest set of data on wildlife in human care, the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS).
“Species360 provides a valuable function in supporting threatened species conservation and research work for our planet’s fauna and flora, as well as facilitating global collaboration to support the care, welfare, and population management of wildlife at members’ facilities. The Species360 team are passionate and dedicated to their mission and I’m thrilled to be working with them more closely in this new capacity,” said Craddock when she was appointed to the role in March 2024.
Additionally, Craddock is a member of the WAZA Animal Welfare Committee.