Cooper Coleman Recruits COO for East Coast Zoological Foundation
May 15, 2025 – Following a nationwide search, Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has placed Anthony Rivera as chief operating officer of East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF). The search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman, and vice president of executive search, Kathy Kraushar. “Anthony brings a remarkable ability to blend strategic vision with operational excellence,” said Ms. Kraushar. “His leadership and passion for his work will not only enhance ECZF’s facilities and guest experience but also position the organization for long-term success as it expands its footprint.”
“Anthony’s wealth of experience in leading world-class attractions, combined with his strategic and operational expertise, makes him the perfect fit to guide ECZF through its next phase of growth,” said Keith Winston, CEO of the East Coast Zoological Foundation. “As we prepare for the building and operations of our new Aquarium and continue expanding our conservation and education initiatives, his leadership will be essential in strengthening our operations and enhancing the experiences we offer to guests and the community.”
Mr. Rivera, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in operational strategy, guest experience, and revenue generation, will oversee all business operations, including facilities management, earned revenue, and safety, across ECZF’s growing portfolio, which encompasses the Brevard Zoo and the upcoming The Bowen Aquarium, a world-class Aquarium and Conservation Center planned for Port Canaveral, FL. As COO, Mr. Rivera will play a key role in shaping ECZF’s future, enhancing operational efficiencies, leading the organization’s master planning and expansion efforts, and ensuring that both Brevard Zoo and the forthcoming Bowen Aquarium at Port Canaveral continue to thrive as premier destinations for conservation, education, and guest engagement.
Mr. Rivera most recently served as COO at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where he developed and implemented a long-term master plan for expansion, revenue growth, and guest engagement. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of operations and hospitality at Georgia Aquarium, leading industry innovations that enhanced guest experiences, operational efficiency, and financial performance. Notably, under his leadership, Georgia Aquarium became the first Certified Autism Center (CAC) aquarium in 2018. His career has also spanned iconic attractions, including Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, Madame Tussauds New York, and the American Museum of Natural History, where he played pivotal roles in operations, strategic planning, and visitor experience enhancements.
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. The organization is committed to connecting people with nature and promoting biodiversity through innovative programs, partnerships, and immersive educational experiences.
Chief Philanthropy Officer Search
Cooper Coleman recently placed Robyn Ducharme as the chief philanthropy officer of East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF). The search was also led by Mr. Cooper. “Robyn’s track record of scaling development programs and leading high-performing teams makes her the perfect fit to help ECZF achieve its ambitious expansion goals,” said Mr. Cooper. “Her thoughtful approach to philanthropy and deep understanding of mission-driven organizations will be instrumental as ECZF advances its campaign and deepens its impact on conservation education, animal care, and species survival. The commitment donors and community stakeholders have made to this organization over three decades deserves to be matched with only the best stewardship of their resources. Robyn and her team are poised to deliver on that.”
Related: Cooper Coleman Recruits Chief Development Officer for Rainforest Flow
Founded in 2020, Cooper Coleman is a full-service executive search and consulting firm partnering exclusively with non-profit organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions to drive meaningful growth. 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 Recruits CEO for Family Equality
Following a nationwide search, Chicago-based Cooper Coleman LLC has recruited Darra Gordon as the new CEO of Family Equality in New York City. The search was led by Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “Darra’s decades of leadership in the LGBTQ+ movement is an achievement, itself,” said Mr. Cooper. “Her ability to drive strategic growth, build strong coalitions, and inspire those around her makes her the right person to lead Family Equality into its next 30+ years of advocating for the rights of families across America. We are proud to partner with Family Equality on such a defining search and look forward to the immeasurable impact she will bring to this role and to all families the organization represents.”
Bill Coleman is principal and co-founder of Cooper Coleman. He has more than 16 years of leadership experience throughout the social sector. He partnered with his father-in-law, William B. Coleman, to establish Cooper Coleman as a firm that “prioritizes making the essential services of executive search accessible to organizations across the social sector, knowing the transformational impact having the right leaders in the right roles can have on an organization and its mission,” the firm said. Mr. Coleman has more than 25 years’ experience in retained executive search, including leading his own firm, Coleman Search Consulting LLC, for more than 10 years until its sale in 2018.
Mr. Cooper has worked with publicly and privately held corporations in the recruitment of C-level operating, finance, human resources, sales/marketing, supply chain, and technology executives. Prior to Cooper Coleman, he founded and led Coleman Search Consulting LLC, for more than 10 years before selling the firm.
Related: Cooper Coleman Recruits New Leader for ReVive Center for Housing and Healing
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
