CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and social impact organizations, is honored to be selected by the East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF) to lead searches for the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer and their next Chief Philanthropy Officer. This strategic expansion is integral to ECZF’s continued impact on conservation and community engagement, encompassing Brevard Zoo and the new Aquarium campus in Port Canaveral.
The ECZF, a vital resource for wildlife and ecological stewardship, has long served as a cherished institution in the Brevard County region and beyond. With ambitious plans to expand its facilities, ECZF is entering an exciting new phase of growth aimed at deepening its impact and outreach. The COO and CPO roles will be essential in furthering ECZF’s mission to “share our joy of nature to help wildlife and people thrive.”
"ECZF is a renowned organization deeply woven into the fabric of its community and conservation efforts, and we are privileged to support its leadership transition," said Johnny Cooper, Founder + CEO of Cooper Coleman LLC. “These searches reflect ECZF’s dedication to building a sustainable and vibrant future for its existing and new campuses. We look forward to finding transformational leaders who will drive ECZF’s growth and strengthen its impact.”
The Chief Operating Officer will oversee the organization’s operational efficiency across its multiple campuses, ensuring strategic alignment with ECZF’s mission and operational goals. As the organization’s operations leader, the COO will bring a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on leadership, responsible for enhancing revenue through innovative guest experiences, overseeing facilities and operational standards, and leading cross-functional collaboration to support the Zoo’s ongoing development and the establishment of the Aquarium at Port Canaveral.
The Chief Philanthropy Officer will lead ECZF’s development strategy, focused on advancing its $100M+ Our Legacy Campaign to support the new Aquarium campus and enhance community engagement. This leader will direct all philanthropic efforts, including major, planned, and digital giving, corporate partnerships, and government grants, ensuring a sustainable foundation for the Zoo and Aquarium's growth and outreach initiatives.
For more information on these roles or to apply, please visit www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.
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About East Coast Zoological Foundation
Established in 1986, the East Coast Zoological Foundation operates Brevard Zoo and will soon open the new Aquarium at Port Canaveral, a world-class facility focused on marine conservation. ECZF is committed to connecting people with nature and promoting biodiversity through innovative programs, partnerships, and immersive educational experiences.
Visit www.brevardzoo.org for more details.
About Cooper Coleman LLC
Cooper Coleman LLC is a full-service retained executive search and consulting firm partnering exclusively with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions to drive meaningful growth. With headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, and Chicago, IL, its team moves organizations forward by placing the right leaders in the right roles at the right time and helps to strengthen their management and fundraising capacity to amplify their mission and impact.
Cooper Coleman's diverse client portfolio spans a wide range of social impact areas, reflecting its commitment to serving the entire spectrum of the social impact sector. Its clients are focused on a variety of causes, such as civil rights, health equity, the performing arts, adoption and foster care, LGBTQ+ advocacy, tech for good, and more.
Founded by CEO Johnny Cooper, who has over 16 years of leadership experience in the social sector, Cooper Coleman prioritizes making essential executive search services accessible to organizations across the social impact sector. With a team of experienced consultants and a commitment to providing first-in-class search services to its clients, the firm has established itself as a leader in the field and is ranked among the Top 65 Nonprofit Executive Search Firms by Hunt Scanlon and among the TOP 250 Executive Search Firms nationally. Cooper Coleman is also proud to have co-founder William B. Coleman, Jr., a veteran executive search consultant with over 25 years of experience in the field, as part of its leadership team. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table and are dedicated to helping nonprofits and other social impact organizations achieve their goals.
For more information on Cooper Coleman LLC, visit their website at www.coopercoleman.com and find them on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coopercoleman.