Executive Compensation at the San Diego Zoo (2022)

The Zoological Society of San Diego is more popularly known, and does business as the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA).  A tax-exempt, non-profit conservation organization, and perhaps more widely known for the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SDZWA does not release membership data but the Form 990 reports membership dues were $3.8 million in 2022.

There are 11 independent voting members (trustees) of the governing body (although 12 are listed on the Form 990 due to timing differences), 8 (75%) of whom are male while 3 (25%) are female (note:  The 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches).

In 2022, total revenue was $392 million, most of which came from the “zoological habitat” which appears to be the San Diego Zoo ($289 million), contributions, gifts, and grants ($42 million), and government grants ($24 million).

Expenses totaled $314 million (not including $38 million in depreciation) in 2022 with the largest expense reported to be compensation. 4,317 employees received $183 million in compensation (an average of $42,000).  113 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated employees reported to be:

• $1,314,973:  Paul Baribault, President and CEO
• $  697,439:  Shawn Dixon, COO
• $  687,188:  David Franco, CFO
• $  543,176:  David Gillig, Chief Philanthropy Officer
• $  423,060:  Lisa Peterson, Executive Director, Safari Park
• $  407,388:  Nadine Lamberski, Chief Conservation/Wildlife Health Officer*
• $  377,676:  David Miller, Chief Marketing Officer
• $  370,055:  Erika Kohler, Interim Exec Dir, San Diego Zoo
• $  353,414:  Wendy Bulger, General Counsel*
• $  347,523:  Aida Rosa, Chief HR Officer*
• $  243,738:  David Page, VP, Finance*
• $  240,482:  Eamonn Farrell, VP,  Construction

A “*” indicates a negative deferred compensation was not included.

The most highly compensated employee was Paul Baribault who received $1.3 million.

The four most highly compensated employees received $6 million in compensation from 2021-2022:

Paul Baribault:  Total Compensation 2021-2022:  $2.3 million

• 2022:  $1,314,973
• 2021:  $1,018,648

Shawn Dix0n: Total Compensation 2021-2022:  $1.3 million

• 2022:  $697,439
• 2021:  $600,584

David Franco:  Total Compensation 2021-2022:  $1.2 million

• 2022:  $687,188
• 2021:  $515,898

David Gillig:  Total Compensation 2021-2022:  $1 million

• 2022:  $543,176
• 2021:  $411,154

As illustrated above, Paul Baribault, the President and CEO was the highest compensated employee.

22 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $2,121,447:  Scott Fence, of Vista, CA for construction services
• $1,015,196:  David Smith Productions, of San Diego, CA for entertainment provider
• $  722,068  :  Paul Woods Construction, of Valley Center, CA for construction services
• $  641,746:  Arimaw Productions, of San Diego, CA for entertainment provider
• $  384,111:  Artistic Entertainment Services, of Azusa, CA for entertainment provider

To view the IRS Form 990 (2022), click here.