Leadership

Lake Superior Zoological Society

EIN 41-0944885

The Lake Superior Zoo is owned by the City of Duluth and operated by the Arrowhead Zoological Society (DBA Lake Superior Zoological Society), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The society operates the zoo for the benefit of the city according to a city contract as set out in Minnesota Laws 1961, Chapter 91 and Duluth legislative code, Parks and Recreation, Article II. Fairmount Park Zoo, Sec. 35-10. The society receives an annual subsidy for the zoo of about $670,000; $510,000 of which is appropriated to the zoo by the Duluth City Council from tourism taxes.

Board of Directors

  • Dodie Brown, President (President & CEO – True North Goodwill)
  • Dr. Jennifer Garland, Vice President (Assistant Professor – University of Wisconsin-Superior)
  • Melanie Wilson, Treasurer (Sr. Vice President of Revenue Cycle – Essentia Health)
  • Leslie Fontaine, Secretary (Accredited Continuing Education Manager – Essentia Health)
  • Andrew Weisz (President, Finden Marketing)
  • Aubrey Hagen (Director of Membership Development and DEI – Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce)
  • Ben Froemming (Internal Audit Analyst – University of Montana)
  • Elizabeth Horst
  • Erica Walli (Retirement Planning Administrator – North Shore Bank)
  • Jim Lewis (Vice President – Western Bank)
  • Josh Stier (Principal Engineer & Partner – Bolton & Menk INC)
  • Kyle Dickinson (Business Developer – Entreprenuer Fund)
  • Matt Rouse (Vice President of Business Banking – North Shore Bank)
  • Mike Polzin (Facilities & Maintenance Manager – Pier B Resort)
  • Sara Cole (President & CEO – Lake Superior YMCA)
  • Sarah Anderson (Therapist & City Councilor – St. Louis County & City of Superior)

Ex Officio – City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Representative
Jessica Peterson

Honorary Members
Stephen Lewis
Mark McShane

Emeritus Board Members
Tim Meininger
John Scott

Executive Director
Noah Hobbs

Director Team
Lizzy Larson, Director of Animal Management & Facilities
Sarah Wilcox, Education/Preschool Director
Heidi Beal, Director of Business Operations
Samantha Halligan, Director of Guest Experience

Contact

Lake Superior Zoological Society
7210 Fremont St, Duluth, MN 55807
Phone: 218-461-3527 Email: info@lszoo.org

Staff Directory

More About Our Zoo

Annual Report

Strategic Plan

Long-Range Plan (2022-2037)

Conservation Plan

Operating Contract (2016-2026)

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