Pressroom

The Cleveland Zoological Society Board of Directors has selected Lawrence Hatch as Chair of the Board starting in January.

Hatch is Managing Director/Senior Relationship Strategist at Glenmede and has served on the Zoo Society Board of Directors since 2015. Hatch brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience in trust, estate, and tax law as well as his decades of service as a trustee for prominent organizations including Playhouse Square, Lakeview Cemetery Association, the Estate Planning Council and Goodwill Industries. He has been a member of the Zoo Society’s governance and finance committees, and this year served as Board Vice Chair.

“I am grateful for the confidence the Board has in me, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with our outstanding group of Directors and the amazing Zoo Society and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo teams,” said Hatch.

Hatch succeeds Christine Myeroff, who was Board Chair from 2020-2025 after serving more than 12 years on the Board of Directors. Myeroff’s tenure as Chair was defined by thoughtful Board engagement and an energized approach to fundraising for significant projects, including annual giving, Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve, Susie’s Bear Hollow and the currently under-construction Primate Forest.

With Myeroff’s leadership, the Zoo Society Board of Directors achieved 100% annual giving, significantly increased annual philanthropic revenue, added three new standing committees, established successful government relations advocacy, and developed an annual Board orientation, retreat, and mentorship program. She worked strategically and collaboratively with Cleveland Metroparks leaders on early planning for Primate Forest, the largest capital improvement project in the organization’s history that will reimagine the Zoo experience. Primate Forest broke ground in September 2024 and the first phase is scheduled to open in 2026.

When it opens, Primate Forest will offer Zoo visitors an exciting new space to explore, which includes the renovation of more than 63,000 square feet of the former RainForest and an additional 33,500 square feet of new construction, including the CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home and an expanded outdoor orangutan habitat.

As Chair, Hatch will lead the Zoo Society Board of Directors through the next phase of Primate Forest fundraising, which will make possible a 25,000 square-foot immersive gorilla habitat.

“The Zoo Society is very fortunate to have two engaged leaders guiding us through our largest project in history,” said Sarah Crupi, Cleveland Zoological Society CEO. “Chris's passionate advocacy for the Zoo Society is contagious, spurring new connections in the Cleveland community and renewed enthusiasm among former Board members. Larry’s excitement to continue our trajectory of philanthropic growth is inspiring. I am honored to have them both in our donor community and truly look forward to working with Larry as Board Chair.”

The Cleveland Zoological Society, founded in 1957, is the nonprofit fundraising partner of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Zoo Society raises philanthropic support for the Zoo’s programs, projects, and operations as well as manages the Zoo membership program and a variety of donor engagement opportunities. The Zoo boasts the largest membership program in Northeast Ohio with over 40,000 member households, and its growing Pride Donor Circle and Corporate Champions programs afford individual and corporate donors exclusive access to insider experiences at the Zoo.

###

Media Contact:  
Emily Baber, Cleveland Zoological Society 
baber@clevelandzoosociety.org  |  216-635-3347