Erie Zoo veteran Melissa 'Roo' Kojancie named as the zoo's new CEO at pivotal moment
The Erie Zoo, which has been working for the last two years to regain its 37-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, has been searching for a new leader for much of that time.
That search has come to an end.
The zoo announced Tuesday that an extensive hunt for a new CEO brought them back to Erie and to Melissa “Roo” Kojancie who has served as interim CEO and chief operating officer.
She replaces Scott Mitchell, the zoo's longtime CEO who became the zoo's director of development in early 2022.
“After a long search, we found the most qualified candidate right here in Erie,” Jeffery E. Beach, chairman of the zoo board, said in a statement.
Other candidates were considered along the way as the zoo worked with two national consultants.
"But Roo just grew tremendously into the job, and after that it became very apparent to us that she had the leadership qualities, and she fit into the culture of our zoo," Beach said at Tuesday's news conference.
Kojancie's qualifications, energy and commitment all became apparent during her time as interim CEO and COO.
During that time, the zoo's statement said, "she deftly led the completion of a new strategic plan in support of our AZA reaccreditation; welcomed 27 new animals; completed work on two new exhibits and began work on the zoo’s centennial celebration."
Her level of commitment was the deciding factor, Beach said.
"She is able to juggle so many balls in the air at once," he said. "The way she really pushed herself to grow and get involved in the AZA, which had to be difficult. Here we lose accreditation and she shows up at AZA meetings to put herself out there. So (she has) just that tremendous commitment; she’s a tremendous person.”
An Erie Zoo veteran
Kojancie isn't a newcomer to Erie or to the industry. She's been with the Erie Zoo more than 20 years, serving as an animal keeper and educator before her recent stint in management.
The zoo said her extensive experience in animal care, training and enrichment techniques should serve her well as she leads the zoo's efforts train staff and modernize.
During her time as interim CEO, she has been working behind the scenes to develop the zoo's first facilitated strategic plan with an AZA mentor, while working to align the zoo with modern practices.
Among other things, that's meant the development of a plan for a new centralized veterinary care facility, which the AZA identified as a top priority.
Kojancie's behind-the-scenes role will now become more public, Beach said.
“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for the announcement to get her out in the community, get her more involved in the community," he said.
A dream job
Kojancie, who was nicknamed Roo by her father moments after she was born, said Tuesday that she was excited to be moving into her dream job.
"Saving animals has always been my passion," she said. "I could never in a million years have expected to be standing up here today being appointed president and CEO of such a beloved organization. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am so thrilled to be in this position now."
In a statement, Kojancie said, "It is indeed my proudest moment of my career in zoology, made so much sweeter because there is no other zoo I love like the Erie Zoo."
Mitchell, the zoo's longtime leader, praised the selection of his replacement.
“Roo is a visionary,” Mitchell said. “After having worked with Roo for more than two decades, I know she is the right person to lead the Erie Zoo into the 21st century."
Mitchell continued on that theme Tuesday.
"She is a great person, she’s a great leader, she’s got lots of energy, and she really does have a lot of vision," he said.
Challenges ahead for new CEO
One of the biggest jobs on the new CEO's plate is to regain AZA accreditation, which restores the zoo's top standing in the zoological community and better positions the zoo to acquire new animals.
The zoo hasn't yet applied to be reaccredited. Zoo board members were clear in recent interviews that they didn't intend to seek that status until they were certain it would be granted.
But it's clear from board members that they believe the zoo has made solid progress toward that goal. And they give Kojancie much of the credit.
Among other tasks, she will also oversee the zoo’s centennial celebration and lead the redesign of the zoo’s red panda and expanded otter exhibits.
Kojancie and the zoo also face other challenges as the zoo looks for new revenue to fund ongoing operations.
Beach and the rest of the board are convinced the zoo's new leader is up for the challenges.
“After a year of such accomplishments, it’s difficult to imagine anyone else leading our zoo at this point, and the board enthusiastically selected Roo to lead the Erie Zoo into our 100th year and beyond," Beach said.
Nicholas Sorensen contributed to this story.
Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Zoo's CEO search ends with announcement of homegrown leader
