Meetings

The Detroit Zoological Society has faced incredible management and human resource challenges over the past 3 years ... from taking over full operations of the Zoo from the City of Detroit to being faced with potential closure if long-term funding could not be secured. Our presenter will discuss how the Zoo managed the integration of two disperate workforces (City union employees and Society employees) and got them to work together to unite the community and secure long-term funding. The result -- this cherished local institution is now looking very optimistically toward the future.

About the presenter:
Since late 1992 Ron Kagan has been Director of the
Detroit Zoo. He is also in charge of the Belle Isle Nature
Zoo. Ron has worked in the zoological world for 25
years and holds bachelors and masters degrees in
zoology. Ron has written numerous articles in journals,
encyclopedias and books on zoology, museum and
zoo management. Additionally, he wrote and
produced a number of nationally award-winning
short films on animal welfare and conservation.

Ron has been recognized by several animal welfare
organizations including the Animal Law Section of the
Michigan Bar Association, the Humane Society of the
United States, In Defense of Animals, and the ASPCA.

Ron has developed unique and nationally award-winning
facilities including a Gorilla Conservation
Research Center, a Wildlife Interpretive Gallery
(dedicated to exploring the relationship between
humans and animals over time and in diverse
cultures), the National Amphibian Conservation
Center, the Arctic Ring of Life and the Wild Adventure
Simulator series (a NASA inspired, motionbased
cabin simulator that builds empathy for other
species as people experience the world through
animals’ eyes). In 2002, he developed an Academy
for Humane Education.