Paul Baribault, President and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), will step down after five years, the organization announced on Tuesday. Baribault, a former Vice President of Marketing for Disney & Pixar Animation Studios and Vice President & General Manager at Disneynature, brought a corporate background to SDZWA, emphasizing a "game-changing approach" to conservation, as noted during his 2025 guest lecture at SDSU’s Fowler College of Business. His vision included rebranding the organization to focus on global alliances, a shift that began with his arrival and aimed to position SDZWA as a leader in 21st-century biodiversity efforts.
According to the Zoological Society of San Diego’s Form 990 IRS filing for 2023, Baribault earned $1,797,528 in reportable compensation, plus an estimated $63,249 in other compensation, totaling $1,860,777 for the year. This marks a significant increase from $1,274,638 base and $40,335 in other income in 2022, and $976,568 base and $42,080 in other income in 2021, reflecting a 46% rise over two years. Records are unavailable for 2024, but some estimate Baribault was making well over $2 million per year. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to wildlife conservation, SDZWA’s high executive pay has sparked questions about the allocation of funds in an organization that relies on public support and donations, especially when compared to its broader mission and operational scope.
Baribault, who assumed leadership in late 2019, navigated SDZWA through the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that tested the resilience of the 109-year-old institution. Under his tenure, the organization saw record attendance of nearly six million visitors annually across its two main properties: the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.
Founded in 1916, SDZWA, originally known as the Zoological Society of San Diego, operates these world-renowned facilities, which are accredited botanical gardens and leading zoological institutions. The San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and houses over 4,000 animals, while the Safari Park, opened in 1972, covers 1,800 acres and is home to 3,000 animals, including large-scale habitats for elephants, rhinos, and giraffes.
SDZWA also manages the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, focusing on global conservation, and operates eight conservation hubs across six continents, from the Amazon Rainforest to the Himalayas, supporting initiatives like polar bear research in Canada and biodiversity efforts in the Southwest hub, which includes local projects such as protecting the Western Snowy Plover in Coronado.
Baribault’s leadership brought notable achievements, including the 2024 return of giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo - the first such arrival in the U.S. in 21 years, costing an estimated $1 million annually in fees to China for conservation efforts, per a 2022 Congressional Research Service report. He also spearheaded the upcoming Denny Sanford Elephant Valley at the Safari Park, set to open in early 2026, which will be the largest elephant habitat in North America. Additionally, SDZWA participated in the 136th Rose Parade in 2025, with a float celebrating the pandas' arrival, continuing a tradition of award-winning floats that highlight the organization’s conservation efforts.
Baribault’s departure coincides with significant labor unrest, as highlighted by a public forum comment from an anonymous SDZWA employee:
"I’m an employee and the timing of this is insane. Our union contracts have been terrible right now. The contract they offered us is dog water (2% raise next year, sure, that’ll keep up with inflation!). Staff have had a poll with the union and over 90% have voted in favor of a strike. The San Diego Zoo has bullied us by saying if we do strike, they would remove all back pay. Back pay is owed because THEY were three months late delivering our contract. The votes for our current contract are due to be read off on Friday. Our yearly event Onward was supposed to be last night. Terrible, idiotic timing from the leadership team. They cancelled Onward DAY OF. Likely eating a 50k bill just because they knew the team was likely to protest and strike at the event, and local news was well aware. Now Paul steps down the same day? Sorry, but it reeks of scapegoat. 'Here’s a 5 million dollar severance package Paul... the staff is furious. Go take the fall for us. Thanks!' Something big is happening behind the scenes. It’s very possible the Zoo will go on strike for the first time in 40 years. Hey higher ups, if you’re reading this, you can prevent that by OFFERING A REASONABLE LIVING WAGE!"
The employee’s claim of a $5 million severance package for Baribault remains unverified, but it underscores the depth of staff frustration. We did confirm that the SDZWA's "Onward" event, an annual all-staff meeting, was cancelled around 11:30am the day of the event, despite requiring employees to RSVP weeks ahead. It was originally scheduled to take place at Town & Country Resort's Convention Center and feature updates on major projects, panda talks, and guest appearances. The event was to be attended by over a thousand employees. We reached out to the San Diego Zoo for comment and more information but have not received a response.
"Team, We regret to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel tonight's Onward event," read an email sent by COO Shawn Dixon. "This decision was not made lightly, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We want to take a moment to thank the dedicated teams who worked tirelessly to plan this event. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we deeply appreciate everything you’ve done. While we may not celebrate together tonight, we are committed to finding another way to honor all that you do. We’ll share more information about our future plans soon. Thank you for your understanding and continued support."
While Baribault's salary reflects the scale of managing a globally recognized institution with significant operational costs, critics might argue that such funds could be redirected to conservation projects, like the In Situ Laboratory initiative in the Amazon or polar bear genetic studies in Canada, where two-thirds of the world’s remaining polar bears reside. The organization's board, which includes 11 independent voting members (8 male, 3 female, per the 2021 Form 990), will now launch a nationwide search for Baribault’s successor, with Chief Operating Officer Shawn Dixon serving as interim president and CEO. Dixon's salary in 2023 was $761,562 in reportable compensation and $53,730 in estimated other compensation.
"I joined SDZWA in 2019 with the intention of helping to transform this storied institution," Baribault said in a statement, reflecting on his tenure. "Having led a remarkable team to put the organization on a new and exciting path, the time feels right for me to pass the baton and pursue my next adventure."
While Baribault’s contributions to conservation and visitor experiences may have been significant, the debate over executive compensation in nonprofits like SDZWA underscores a broader tension between leadership costs and mission-driven priorities, leaving the incoming CEO with the challenge of balancing financial stewardship with the organization’s global conservation goals.
"I joined SDZWA in 2019 with the intention of helping to transform this storied institution," Baribault said in a statement, reflecting on his tenure. "Having led a remarkable team to put the organization on a new and exciting path, the time feels right for me to pass the baton and pursue my next adventure."
While Baribault’s contributions to conservation and visitor experiences may have been significant, the debate over executive compensation in nonprofits like SDZWA underscores a broader tension between leadership costs and mission-driven priorities, leaving the incoming CEO with the challenge of balancing financial stewardship with the organization’s global conservation goals.
Originally published on March 26, 2025.
