The Rosamond Gifford Zoo hired a new leader, and no, it was not a lion. The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo board of directors announced that Andrea Wandersee would become the new executive director.
Wandersee most recently served as chief operating officer at ACR Health in Syracuse and as executive director of the Northeast Hawley Development Association.
Megan Thomas, board chair of the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, said Wandersee’s track record made her uniquely qualified for the role.
“The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of Central New York’s most cherished institutions, where hundreds of thousands of visitors connect with wildlife and one another,” Wandersee said. “As a parent, some of the ‘best days ever’ with my son were at the zoo.”
Wandersee succeeded Andrew Brazill, the organization’s director of marketing and communications, who had served in an interim role since the beginning of the year.
Wandersee is expected to begin her role Dec. 16.