Audubon CEO Ron Forman to step down in 2024

Photos courtesy Audubon Nature Institute.

Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman has advised the Institute’s Board of Directors that he plans to step down from his role at the end of 2024.

Forman has led Audubon Nature Institute for decades, serving initially as deputy director of Audubon Park and Zoological Gardens in 1973, being promoted to director in 1977. In 1988, the non-profit Audubon Nature Institute was formed and named him president and CEO.

“With him at the helm, Audubon experienced dynamic growth expanding a collection that now includes Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Woldenberg Park, Audubon Park, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network, and recently launched Riverfront for All,” the news release reads.

“With his vision and leadership, Ron helped turn a once shameful animal ghetto into one of the top zoos in the country,” Dr. Willard Dumas, chairman of board of the Audubon Nature Institute, said in a news release. “His drive to save wildlife and share the wonders of nature with people young and old has earned him countless honors, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.”

“I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to help bring the world of nature to others,” Forman said in the news release. “I have also had the pleasure of working with amazing colleagues and volunteers that have helped create this unique organization devoted to conservation, quality family attractions, and saving threatened and endangered species. Most importantly, we have been able to achieve this in one of the great cities of the world, New Orleans.”

Some of Forman’s main achievements include: The opening of the riverfront in the late 1980s with the development of Woldenberg Park and Audubon Aquarium; chairing the Louisiana Nature Conservancy and working as a partner with Marlon Perkins; revitalizing Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East; helping launch the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region, Greater New Orleans, Inc. and New Orleans & Company; chairing the Louisiana Stadium Exposition District (Superdome Commission); chairing the Louisiana State Museum and serving on the Board of the American Association of Museums; and serving as president and longest serving Director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The next step in the process is for the Audubon Board to begin a nationwide search for his replacement.

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