PRESS RELEASES

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Appoints Chief HR Officer from Search by Hanold Associates

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has appointed Megan Rachal as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Senior Vice President of People and Culture. Hanold Associates’ Val Lopez, Meg McElroy and Catie Nelson led the search.

As Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Senior Vice President of People and Culture, Megan Rachal will lead the strategy and vision for all aspects of the Zoo’s employee experience and will be instrumental in the Zoo’s journey to becoming the employer of choice in the region and within the zoo and aquarium industry. Megan will report directly to President and CEO Luis Padilla, serving as a member of the executive leadership team and lead a growing HR team. Megan’s scope will also include Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, the four-mile drive-through experience featuring North American wildlife located in Ashland, Nebraska. Prior to joining the Omaha Zoo, Megan served as Chief HR Officer at JCC Chicago.

Consistently ranked as one of the top five zoos in the U.S. and recently ranked as the #1 zoo in the United States by USA Today, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, with a mission to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals, their habitats and their conservation. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, the Zoo has more than 1,415 different species and more than 30,000 animals across 162 acres, hosting 1.5-2.0 million visitors a year. The Zoo relies on a team of ~350 full-time and 650 part-time staff members or more to support its mission.