Executive Director, Safari Park San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance | San Diego, California We are pleased to announce that Pat McTigue has been appointed Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), following nearly a year of service in the role on an interim basis.McTigue joined SDZWA Safari Park in 2019 as director of park operations and later served as vice president and deputy director, helping guide the organization through the challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic, including periods of closure and reopening. He was subsequently selected to serve as interim executive director, overseeing daily operations of the 1,800‑acre Safari Park in the San Pasqual Valley. Most recently, he helped lead the opening of Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, the largest project in zoo history, a 13‑acre habitat for the park’s eight elephants that includes immersive guest experiences such as the Mkutano House, a two‑story restaurant inspired by Kenyan art and culture.Before joining SDZWA, McTigue spent more than 20 years in hospitality and tourism, holding leadership roles in sales and marketing at several San Diego‑area hotels. He draws on that experience in his approach to leadership at the Safari Park, emphasizing care for both guests and team members while advancing the organization’s conservation mission through storytelling and immersive experiences designed to inspire action.Read the full announcement here.Natalie Leonhard led this search with Hayden Lizotte and Kendra Moleé.
