Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is proud to announce the appointment of Megan Rachal as the new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Senior Vice President of People and Culture. In this role, Megan will lead the strategy and vision for all aspects of an employee’s work experience for the organization and will be a catalyst forinitiatives to enhance workplace culture and support being an employer of choice in the region and within the zoo and aquarium industry.
The search, selection and hiring process was facilitated through a partnership with Hanold Associates, LLC, a retained executive search firm specialized in recruiting contemporary C-suite leaders with a significant focus on human resources leadership. Megan rose to the top among a pool of qualified candidates, as a proven and energetic, people-first leader, with expertise within and outside of the zoo and aquarium industry.
“I am thrilled to be joining the leading Zoo in the country to have the opportunity to support its dedicated staff,” said Megan Rachal. “My experience in the zoo and aquarium space, and within executive leadership, will lend itself well as I dive in. From my very first visit, it was evidently clear that this Zoo is a special place for both locals and tourists, and I am honored to become a part of this team and institution.”
Megan’s unrivaled passion for supporting the needs of a mission-based workforce, and her deep personal connection to the conservation of the natural world makes her an excellent fit for this position.
“Our people are our biggest asset, and Megan brings fresh perspectives, industry best practices and experiences supporting the needs of a mission-based workforce,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “Megan will be instrumental in advancing workplace culture initiatives to elevate the impact of our organization.”
Megan’s experience and success as the current Chief Human Resources Officer for the Jewish Community Center in Chicago, Illinois, the largest Jewish Community Center in North America, positions her well to lead transformative initiatives in human resources at our Zoo. Her reputation within the zoo and aquarium industry comes from a decade of progressive leadership in human resources at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, supporting the needs of aquarium professionals at one of the largest indoor aquariums in the United States.
Megan officially joined Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park on Monday, July 29. The Zoo looks forward to Megan’s leadership as we navigate this exciting period of transformational change for our organization.