Shelli Herman and Associates Recruits President and CEO of Mystic Aquarium
September 28, 2026 – Following an extensive national search, Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has placed Rachel Metz as the new president and CEO of Mystic Aquarium. She will succeed Susette Tibus, who has led Mystic Aquarium since April 2023 and has been a recognized leading champion for the Aquarium for decades. “Rachel is an accomplished, thoughtful and inspiring leader whose experience and values are exceptionally well aligned with Mystic Aquarium and as a recognized leader in marine conservation,” said George Milne, chairman of the Mystic Aquarium board of trustees. “She understands that organizations like ours have an extraordinary opportunity to connect people with animals and the natural world while advancing conservation, research, education and animal wellbeing. We are excited to welcome Rachel and confident she will build on Mystic Aquarium’s strong foundation while helping us imagine what is possible for the future.”
“Rachel brings the combination of mission commitment, leadership experience and vision we were seeking in Mystic Aquarium’s next CEO,” said Tom Marra, board chair-elect. “Throughout the search process, we were impressed not only by what Rachel has accomplished, but by how she leads. She is collaborative, curious and deeply committed to people as well as the mission. We believe she is the right leader for an exciting new chapter at Mystic Aquarium.”
“I am confident that Rachel will be an outstanding leader for Mystic Aquarium and will help guide the organization to great success in the years ahead,” said Ms. Tibus.
Ms. Metz joins Mystic Aquarium from the Zoological Society of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Zoo), where she serves as vice president of animal wellbeing and conservation. She brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience across zoological and aquarium institutions, with a career spanning animal well-being, conservation, organizational leadership, fundraising, public engagement and community partnerships.
In her current role, Ms. Metz helps lead an organization that welcomes nearly one million visitors annually and has extensive experience leading complex, cross-functional teams. She has played an important role in securing millions of dollars in major gifts by connecting philanthropy with meaningful conservation outcomes. She brings significant experience in organizational transformation, fundraising, board and donor engagement, government and community relations, and building strong, mission-driven organizational cultures.
“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to join Mystic Aquarium,” Ms. Metz said. “What has stood out to me throughout this process is not only the extraordinary work happening here, but also the passion people have for this organization and its mission. I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, listening and learning, and understanding what makes Mystic special. Together, we’ll build on that strong foundation and shape what comes next.”
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Ms. Metz will join Mystic Aquarium later this year. Her official start date will be announced in the coming weeks. The board and Aquarium leadership will work closely with Ms. Metz to ensure a thoughtful and seamless transition.
Nationally Recognized
Founded in 1973, Mystic Aquarium has grown from a coastal destination along Connecticut’s scenic shoreline into a nationally recognized leader in marine science, animal care, and immersive public engagement. At its core, Mystic Aquarium is a research, conservation, and education institution that conducts critical research to advance knowledge of marine life, partners with experts from leading organizations and institutions worldwide to establish science-based conservation efforts, and communicates findings to policymakers, regulatory agencies, the scientific community, and the public.
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Shelli Herman and Associates Inc. serves trailblazing clients across the corporate, non-profit, and higher education sectors. The firm’s long roster of clients includes the Annenberg Foundation; the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation; BENlabs; The Capital Group Companies/American Funds Distributors; City Year, Los Angeles; the Fresno Chaffee Zoo; the Griffith Observatory Foundation; Jewish Family Service LA; Laguna College of Art and Design; Loyola Marymount University; Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium; P.S. ARTS; the Saint Louis Zoo; Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County; the University of California System; the Whitney Museum of American Art; and YWCA Greater Los Angeles.
Shelli Herman, who has more than 25 years of executive recruitment experience, has a strong record of leading searches and building upper management teams for a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies. She has completed senior-level assignments in many industries, including consumer products, healthcare, high technology, and finance, as well as for non-profit, conservation, and cultural organizations. Additionally, she brings an in-depth understanding of the unique cultural environment of academia that was gained while she held significant management positions at the University of Florida and Loyola Marymount University.
Related: Shelli Herman and Associates Tapped by OneOC for CEO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
