Philadelphia Zoo has named Jo-Elle Mogerman, the first female and African American president and CEO of the nation’s first zoo. Currently, she is an executive at the St. Louis Zoo. SUBMITTED PHOTO
by Stephen Williams, Philadelphia Tribune Staff Writer
The Philadelphia Zoo has named Jo-Elle Mogerman the first female and African American president and chief executive officer of the nation’s first zoo. Currently, she is an executive at the St. Louis Zoo.
In October, Mogerman, who was chosen after an extensive national search, will succeed Vikram Dewan, who has lead the zoo for more than 16 years. She will be the 15th president in the institution’s 164-year history.
Since 2019, Mogerman has been director of the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park in Missouri.
Joanna McNeil Lewis, chair of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Zoo, said the organization started the national search at the beginning of the year to find the very best leader.
“Dr. Mogerman’s impressive career and accomplishments speak for themselves, but it was her clear commitment to community, animal welfare, staff development, and operational excellence that made her the right fit for our renowned Zoo,” McNeil Lewis said.
Before landing the position as director in St. Louis, Mogerman was vice president of learning and community at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago; and held leadership roles at the Brookfield Zoo, in the Chicago area for more than a decade.
As director of the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Park, which is scheduled to open in 2027, Mogerman has been overseeing the planning and development of a $230 million wildlife project on a 425-acre site in north St. Louis County.
“She’s a strategic leader and visionary, a dedicated conservationist, and a tremendous project manager and problem solver,” Scott said. “While she’ll be missed here in Saint Louis, we look forward to partnering with her and her colleagues in Philadelphia.”
Mogerman will stay on until at the WildCare Park until the end of October, in order to complete a number of goals before starting her new position in Philadelphia.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.; Mogerman received a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in biology from the University of Illinois in Chicago.
“Philadelphia Zoo is an important and relevant organization in wildlife conservation around the world. I am excited to support Jo-Elle as she takes the helm – she will undoubtedly foster a bright future for our Zoo,” said Dewan, the Philadelphia Zoo’s current president & CEO.
The Philadelphia Zoo in West Philadelphia, has pioneered a concept known as Zoo360, which allows animals, such as tigers and other big cats, lemurs and monkeys travel through their own zoo campuses. It is a concept that has been duplicated by more than 70 zoos nationwide.
For more information, visit philadelphiazoo.org. Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; Twitter: @phillyzoo.
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This article originally appeared in the Philadelphia Tribune.