Cooper Coleman Expands Partnership With East Coast Zoological Foundation to Recruit Next CFO

CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and social impact organizations, is proud to continue its partnership with the East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), home of the Brevard Zoo and the upcoming Bowen Aquarium, to lead the search for its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

This new executive role comes at a defining moment for ECZF as the organization prepares to expand from its flagship Brevard Zoo to include the new Bowen Aquarium and Conservation Center—ushering in a transformational new chapter of animal wellbeing and conservation. The CFO will serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, helping guide financial strategy and capital planning to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of ECZF’s mission.

“We’re honored to continue our work with ECZF’s CEO and Board of Directors to support its ambitious growth and vision,” said Johnny Cooper, Founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman LLC. “The new CFO will complete ECZF’s leadership team, playing a pivotal role in stewarding the organization’s financial future as it deepens its local and national leadership in conservation and environmental education.”

The CFO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and act as a strategic partner to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee. Responsibilities will include oversight of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and investment strategy across both the Zoo and the forthcoming Aquarium campus. The ideal candidate will bring deep financial expertise, strong leadership, and a passion for mission-driven work.

For more information on these roles or to apply, please visit www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.

About East Coast Zoological Foundation

Established in 1986, the East Coast Zoological Foundation operates Brevard Zoo and will soon open the new Aquarium at Port Canaveral, a world-class facility focused on marine conservation. ECZF is committed to connecting people with nature and promoting biodiversity through innovative programs, partnerships, and immersive educational experiences.

Visit www.brevardzoo.org for more details.

About Cooper Coleman LLC

Cooper Coleman LLC is a full-service retained executive search and consulting firm partnering exclusively with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions to drive meaningful growth. With headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, and Chicago, IL, its team moves organizations forward by placing the right leaders in the right roles at the right time and helps to strengthen their management and fundraising capacity to amplify their mission and impact.

Cooper Coleman's diverse client portfolio spans a wide range of social impact areas, reflecting its commitment to serving the entire spectrum of the social impact sector. Its clients are focused on a variety of causes, such as civil rights, health equity, the performing arts, adoption and foster care, LGBTQ+ advocacy, tech for good, and more.

Founded by CEO Johnny Cooper, who has over 16 years of leadership experience in the social sector, Cooper Coleman prioritizes making essential executive search services accessible to organizations across the social impact sector. With a team of experienced consultants and a commitment to providing first-in-class search services to its clients, the firm has established itself as a leader in the field and is ranked among the Top 65 Nonprofit Executive Search Firms by Hunt Scanlon and among the TOP 250 Executive Search Firms nationally. Cooper Coleman is also proud to have co-founder William B. Coleman, Jr., a veteran executive search consultant with over 25 years of experience in the field, as part of its leadership team. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table and are dedicated to helping nonprofits and other social impact organizations achieve their goals.

For more information on Cooper Coleman LLC, visit their website at www.coopercoleman.com and find them on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/coopercoleman.