SAN DIEGO (Feb. 10, 2025) — The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance board of trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members, Tom Chapman and Corinne Verdery. Chapman and Verdery each bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization, and their leadership will be invaluable as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance continues its critical work in wildlife conservation.
“We are thrilled to have Tom and Corinne join our board of passionate leaders,” said Paul A. Baribault, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Their impressive careers and dedication to making a positive impact align with our mission to create a world where all life thrives. We are confident their support will be an integral part of the Alliance.”
Tom Chapman is the board chair of the Wyoming Retirement System, overseeing $11 billion in assets. He also serves on the Investment Funds Committee for the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office, advising on the management of $30 billion in funds. As chief investment officer of Teewinot Partners, a multifamily investment office, and a founder and partner of Valparaiso Capital Partners in Singapore, Chapman’s career spans decades in global finance and investment. His previous roles include founding member of Colony Capital’s Asian real estate business in Singapore, as well as positions with Tudor Investment in London, Tiger Management and Goldman Sachs in New York. Outside of his professional career, Chapman currently serves on the board of the Institute for Arts and Humanities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he chairs the Finance Committee. He serves on the Teton County Search and Rescue and the Snow King Mountain boards in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He also currently serves as chair on the Investment Committee for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. He has chaired the Francis Parker School’s Investment Committee, acted as a board observer for ViaCyte Inc., and was on the Executive Committee of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) board.
Corinne Verdery is the chief executive officer of Caruso, one of the largest privately held real estate development and management companies in the United States, responsible for The Grove and The Americana at Brand in the Los Angeles region. Caruso is dedicated to creating a timeless collection of destinations, from street-front retail collections to five-star oceanfront resorts, all with a dedication to guests, residents and the greater community. During her tenure, Verdery has focused her efforts on doubling the size of the company and its offerings in Southern California, overseeing the development of the Forbes triple five-star resort Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito and the acquisition of new Caruso properties. With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Verdery previously held the position of chief real estate development officer at NBCUniversal and senior vice president of Oasis West Realty/Alagem Capital Group. Verdery is active in her community and currently serves on the board of Adventist Health Glendale Foundation.
“Tom and Corinne exemplify the caliber of leaders we seek to guide our mission,” said Steven Simpson, chairman of the board of trustees for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Their years of experience and unique perspectives will be instrumental as we work to protect species worldwide. We are excited to welcome them to the board and look forward to their valuable contributions.”
About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children’s hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible.
