SSA Group, an award-winning provider of visitor amenities, has announced a new partnership with Canopy Strategic Partners, a full-service planning and consulting firm serving zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, conservation organizations, and other public green spaces. Together, the firms are embarking on a research project looking at opportunities and potential barriers to leadership advancement within zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Both companies are committed to advancing leadership development in the sector, in the knowledge that inclusive and more diverse organisations have benefits for all, thus allowing these zoos and aquariums to better achieve their conservation goals.
A step forward for DEAI in the sector
This new research initiative, which began in November 2022, will be a step forward when it comes to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI) in the cultural attraction industry. To date, there have only been anecdotal findings, however, this work will discover barriers to leadership advancement by indexing employee wellbeing and employee engagement. It is hoped that the resulting scientific data will allow the community to move forward on systemic issues in a strategic way.
Kathy Wagner of Canopy Strategic Partners, says: “Our findings should help our field develop data-driven actions for this important work.”
In order to conduct the research, SSA Group and Canopy Strategic Partners have partnered with Dr Kyle Lundby of Global Aspect Human Capital Advisors, an industrial/organisational psychologist. He has much experience in conducting survey research within the AZA community, as well as in the corporate world.
The survey will launch in mid-December and results are expected in early 2023.
Canopy Strategic Partners and SSA Group would like to thank the supporters of this project,
including Verdis Group, Behavioral Essentials, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Saint Louis Zoo, Detroit Zoological Society, and Global Aspect Human Capital Advisors, as well as the AZA Board of Directors and numerous AZA leaders who provided valuable support and expert guidance during the development of this project.
Earlier this year, Canopy Strategic Partners supported the first-ever Blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List, celebrating the creativity and innovation of key individuals within the sector. Meanwhile, SSA Group, recently announced that it is now running the food service and catering operations at The Florida Aquarium.
