7 & 8 November 2026
Leadership isn’t about a title or authority, it’s about influence!
As animal care organizations face increasing complexity, the need for strong leaders has never been greater. The 2026 IMATA Leadership Summit is a dedicated “add-on” designed for current and emerging leaders who are passionate about advancing their teams, organizations, and the future of our profession to come together to learn, collaborate, and solve real problems in real time.
We’re inviting all directors, managers, supervisors, senior trainers, and aspiring leaders to join us for leadership development, collaborative learning in both lecture and workshop style sessions, and to build a lasting professional network with fellow leaders.
Saturday, 7 November 2026
Keynote Session
Collaborative Communication presented by Keith Morris
General Session
Shaping an Organizational First & Solution Oriented Mindset
This session will focus on how members of the team across all levels can come together to have shared ownership in an organization or program’s goals, exploring concepts like “extreme ownership” and the importance of team “buy-in” for success. The session will go one step further to explore how you can help shape a solution-oriented culture in your teams.
Panel Discussion
Lessons from the Library
Hear from the field’s top leaders on their personal most impactful leadership lessons that they learned, and the books they learned it from. Participants will learn a thing or two and might even pick up a new read.
Senior Trainer Tract Breakout Sessions
Providing Effective Feedback
This breakout session will focus on techniques for coaching younger staff, feeding back/problem-solving with co-workers, communicating up the chain of command, and conflict resolution skills) Preparing for an ImpactfulFuture
This breakout session will focus on growing your leadership “toolkit” to empower you to effect positive change, feel confident with owning your ownself-development, getting “unstuck” when you feel stuck, and developing your leadership skillset in preparation for future leadership opportunities.
Management Tract Breakout Sessions
Communicating Effectively in Difficult Scenarios
This breakout session will focus on techniques for providing effective feedback, evaluation systems and styles, and communicating during difficultscenarios (e.g., operational challenges, health challenges, etc.)
Cultivating Your Winning Team
This breakout session will focus on how to create, maintain, and retain your winning team. Topics include hiring and recruitment techniques, staff growth & development tools, retention strategies, goal setting, and advocating foryour team.
Sunday, 8 November 2026
Workshop
“Real Solutions to RealProblems”
Building on the knowledge gained from day one and working in their established cohorts, participants will dive into facilitated group activities and discussions to define common leadership challenges, brainstorm solutions, and share ideas and resources that lead to impact. The 90-minute workshop is designed for application of leadership theory.
GeneralSession
Leadership is About Influence
To close out the 2026 Summit, we’ll explore how leading is more than a positionor title, it’s about learning to influence attitude, culture, work ethic, and motivation. Topics will include building trust amongst your team, leading by example, service-based leadership, and influencing ourselves to be the leaders our teams and animals need.
Limited Capacity Experience
To maximize discussion and networking opportunities, attendance will be intentionally limited. As the summit is intended to be a collaborative environment, attendees will be required to verify leadership role prior to attendance.
Keith Morris is an insightful corporate speaker and facilitator who has worked for more than 15 years to advance initiatives in organizations. His clients range from academic institutions to Fortune 50 companies. Keith has facilitated discussions for business leaders across the USA and in global locations including Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, and Canada. He has also worked for and with prestigious organizations including Duke University, The Walt Disney Company, and the Chicago Zoological Society.
Keith has served as a trusted advisor to leaders at the Vice President, Senior Vice President, and C-Suite levels. He has developed a keen empathy for the needs of senior leaders due to his own experience as a senior-level operations leader. Keith is best known for his ability to foster an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected in service to the achievement of strategic objectives. He is celebrated for creating an emotionally safe learning environment where participants can share and learn from each other. Keith excels at helping his clients get results as he assists them in “taking the next step” in their journey from awareness to action.
Keith also has a rich and fascinating background that lends itself to his engaging approach. Prior to his career as an operations executive, he worked as a trainer and conservationist of threatened and endangered animal species. Keith has cared for a wide variety of animals, including African elephants, eastern black rhinoceros, River hippopotamuses, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and Pacific walruses. He also led photo safaris to east Africa, educating participants on wildlife conservation. Keith is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, and he currently resides in central Florida.
Will Elgar is a dynamic, results-driven executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across major institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. His career includes senior roles at the Georgia Aquarium, Atlantis’ Dolphin Cay, Dolphin Quest, and the Zoological Society of London, and he now serves as Director at Zoo Miami, overseeing one of the nation’s largest and most diverse zoological parks. His leadership at Zoo Miami encompasses a 750-acre campus, a team of more than 400 employees, and a portfolio of significant capital and conservation initiatives.
Will’s leadership is firmly rooted in servant leadership, prioritizing the growth, success, and well-being of those he serves. His experience working across different cultures and countries has strengthened his belief that flexibility, humility, and adaptability are essential for guiding teams through rapid change, operational complexity, and long-term strategic planning. Will attributes every career milestone to the exceptional people around him and remains committed to building environments where teams feel empowered, valued, and inspired to make a meaningful impact.
Will’s diverse academic background in biology, business, and philanthropy fuels a forward-looking approach, operational skills, and a strong passion for conservation, all grounded in extensive experience. Whether he’s speaking on organizational culture, strategic planning, animal training, leading through change, or crisis communication, Will brings heart, humor, humility, and deep respect for the communities that shaped him. His story is grounded in service, adaptability, and connection. His perspective and experiences inspire and support the growth of the next generation of leaders in the field.
Will is also no stranger to the IMATA community. He has served in key leadership roles, including Accreditation Chair, Vice President, and President, and remains an advocate for the professional and ethical advancement of marine mammal training worldwide. He is also an AZA Inspector and a long standing contributor to AMMPA and AZA committees.
But IMATA is meaningful to him on a more personal level, too; it’s where he met his wife and where he’s had the joy of raising his two boys within a community that celebrates wildlife, wild places, and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting both.
More speakers to be announced!