Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman has made history by becoming the first woman and the first Black CEO and president of the nation鈥檚 oldest zoo.
Mogerman assumed the role at the Philadelphia Zoo on October 30, but she said she鈥檚 continued to receive an outpouring of support since her appointment was announced in August.
鈥淭here鈥檚 also this additional sense of pride I think that I have felt and seen with Black and Brown communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he internal sort of head nod that we do amongst us. I wear that proudly, and I鈥檒l make sure we鈥檙e represented.鈥�
Mogerman said she hopes to inspire the zoo鈥檚 guests to develop a love for animals and a passion for conservation.
She said the intersections between animal conservation, guest experience, and community require diverse voices and talents at the table.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be a part of the Philadelphia Zoo team and have a really awesome Board that gets the value and importance of that,鈥� she said.
New Discoveries
The Philadelphia Zoo launched a national search for a new CEO at the beginning of the year, according to Joanna McNeil Lewis, Chair of the Philadelphia Zoo鈥檚 Board of Directors.
Lewis said it wasn鈥檛 just Mogerman鈥檚 extensive experience that made her the ideal president for the job.
鈥淚t was her clear commitment to community, animal welfare, staff development and operational excellence that made her the right fit for our renowned Zoo,鈥� Lewis said.
The Philadelphia Zoo opened in 1874 and is the nation鈥檚 first zoo. It is currently home to more than 1700 rare and endangered animals.
Only 14 presidents have preceded Mogerman in the last 149 years.
鈥淚鈥檓 really humbled to be the person stewarding this organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not Jo-Elle鈥檚 zoo 鈥� I am stewarding it for Philadelphia.鈥�
Mogerman said foremost on her agenda is learning how to navigate the zoo鈥檚 42-acre campus.
鈥淚 get lost a lot,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 ok, I don鈥檛 mind getting lost because you discover things when you get lost.鈥�
Though she鈥檚 still learning her way around, Mogerman said she鈥檚 already found her favourite animal鈥檚 habitat: the cheetahs.
The Philadelphia Zoo is home to Amani and Kalima, 8-year-old cheetah sisters.
As a young Black kid growing up in the 70s, Mogerman said she was always drawn to the beauty of the spotted felines and appreciates that the cats are historically associated with African culture and royalty.
While cheetahs are her favourite, the new CEO told CNN she has a love for all animals.
Given the complex political and cultural climate in the US, Mogerman urged Americans to 鈥済o visit their local zoo, go take a hike in nature, get re-grounded, get reconnected.鈥�
Mogerman said although careers in the zoo and aquarium fields have historically been dominated by White people, she has noticed a shift in the demographics from when she first started her career.
鈥淭here have been more women appointed in these top leadership positions over time,鈥� she told CNN. 鈥淚n terms of racial and ethnic diversity, we got some work to do.鈥�
Mogerman is only the second African American woman to be tapped to lead an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution. In 2019, Denise Verret became the first Black female director of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
As she takes on new role at the Philadelphia Zoo, Mogerman said she plans to remain authentically herself and purposefully visible to inspire younger generations.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really hard to be something you can鈥檛 see,鈥� Mogerman said. 鈥淗opefully, it helps a variety of different people see that some progress has been made.鈥�
