BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Zoo announced the Board of Directors of the Zoological Society of Buffalo Inc. has accepted President and CEO Norah Fletchall’s resignation.
Fletchall was appointed President/CEO in April 2017 after serving as the Indianapolis Zoo’s COO.
Chief Zoological Officer Lisa Smith will serve as the zoo’s interim President/CEO. The Board’s immediate past chair, Jon Dandes, will lead a national search committee to appoint a successor.
According to the zoo, Smith has 27 years of experience as a zoo professional with 13 of those at the senior staff level.
“We on the Board wish Norah the best and thank her for leading the successful AZA accreditation process. Her stewardship of the Zoo, her love of our animals, and her vision as set out in our strategic plan helped put the Zoo on a vibrant path for the future. “We are strong institutionally, financially, and programmatically.”
- Board Chair David P. Flynn
“It has been an absolute pleasure and honor to lead the Buffalo Zoo. It was vital to me to see the Zoo through the rigorous accreditation process, and I could not be more proud of all we’ve accomplished together. I want to thank every member of the Buffalo Zoo team, our guests, donors, and everyone who continues to support and make the Zoo the special place it is. I’m looking forward to my next professional endeavor.”
- Norah Fletchall
