The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations and institutions, has revealed the keynote speakers for this year’s conference. The 78th WAZA Annual Conference will take place in San Diego, California, from 8 – 12 October 2023 and will be hosted by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Joel Sartore
On day one, attendees will be able to hear from world-renowned photographer and founder of Photo Ark, Joel Sartore.
Sartore founded the National Geographic Photo Ark in 2006 with the goal of capturing every species in human care, inspiring people to take action and assisting local conservation efforts to safeguard wildlife.
In his endeavour to compile a visual record of the world’s biodiversity, he has spent more than 15 years travelling to zoos, aquariums, and wildlife refuges all around the world. Sartore is a frequent contributor to National Geographic magazine, a National Geographic Explorer, a public speaker, an author, a teacher, an environmentalist, and a public speaker. In 2018, he was named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year.
Fanny M. Cornejo
The keynote speaker for day two will be Fanny M. Cornejo, co-founder and executive director at Yunkawasi.
Cornejo is a Peruvian biologist and PhD candidate at Stony Brook University with a master’s degree in anthropology. She has over 16 years of experience in the research and conservation of Peru’s threatened species, with a focus on the Tropical Andes.
She is a co-founder and the current executive director of the Peruvian nonprofit organisation Yunkawasi. There, she oversees a team that works to establish and maintain conservation areas, conduct biological and social research, implement conservation education initiatives, and support the sustainable growth of local communities. Cornejo is also a member of the Primate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), serving as vice president for Peru, and a member of the Ministry of Environment of Peru’s CITES expert group.
Lori Perkins and Jackie Ogden
Lori Perkins and Jackie Ogden of Canopy Strategic Partners will deliver a keynote address on day three.
The chance to assist zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and other cultural sites in adopting a broader perspective on their work attracted Perkins to Canopy. Here, she uses her in-depth knowledge of operational management and workforce leadership to help clients in developing strategic plans.
Ogden, a partner at Canopy Strategic Partners, helps customers identify and grow their leadership teams, build strategic plans, and establish organisational cultures that support their long-term goals. Jackie has more than 30 years of expertise in the zoological sector.
Kyle Lundby
Also on day three, attendees will hear a keynote speech from Dr Kyle Lundby, principal at Global Aspect Human Capital Advisors.
The founder of the US-based consulting company Global Aspect Human Capital Advisors, Dr Lundby helps businesses with organisational change. Dr Lundby keeps a database of comments from staff members at zoos, aquariums, and cultural institutions on a variety of subjects (such as engagement, well-being, DEIA, leadership effectiveness, culture, etc.).
Vivek Menon
Finally, day four’s keynote speaker will be Vivek Menon, founder, trustee and executive director of the Wildlife Trust of India. Menon is a well-known wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author and photographer, who has a passion for elephants.
Menon founded five groups dedicated to protecting the environment and the natural world and has led the Wildlife Trust of India since 1998, growing it from a three-member group to one of the most important wildlife NGOs in India. Menon is currently a Councillor of the IUCN and Chair of the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group.
He is also Chair of the IUCN Governance & Constituency Committee, a Member of the Advisory Board for the IUCN Strategic Initiative on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, a Member of the Species Survival Commission Steering Committee, and a Member of the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group.
The WAZA Annual Conference is a key opportunity to meet with the world’s leading zoo and aquarium professionals to discuss key issues such as animal welfare, conservation, climate change, plastic pollution and the future of zoos and aquariums. For more information and to register for the event, please click here.
Earlier this month, WAZA also announced that the host of next year’s Annual Conference will be Taronga Zoo in Sydney. The 79th Annual WAZA Conference is set to take place from 3 – 7 November 2024.
