Kirby Fowler

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President & CEO The Maryland Zoo

Kirby Fowler believes if you leave the world a better place than the way you found it, then you have succeeded in life. “If you are able to maintain and nurture the love of your family and friends throughout life, you are blessed,” he said. “If you actively work to live a sustainable life in order to preserve the beauty and diversity of this planet, then you should reap the benefits of success.”

Fowler has served as president and CEO of The Maryland Zoo since April 2020. He leads a team of more than 250 employees and 225 volunteers that oversee more than 1,500 animals representing 200 species.

The most important leadership skills Fowler utilizes is welcoming change. “I embrace change and even thrive on it, but I have learned that others may be averse to change or even have strong arguments why some things must stay the same,” he said. “It is very important, as a leader, to push for change while managing the anxiety of those who will be impacted by change.”

He also believes listening is a vital leadership skill. “Too many of us are in a rush to achieve our goals or to make our point,” he said. “We don’t often slow down to allow others to articulate their opinions. We can learn a lot from giving others the space to speak.”

Before his tenure at The Maryland Zoo, Fowler was the president and executive director of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Downtown Management Authority. During his 16 years with the organization, he and his team oversaw the transformation of downtown Baltimore, including successfully advocating for the adaptive reuse of more than 70 major properties as well as the reinvention of the Pratt Street corridor.

A New York University School of Law graduate, Fowler previously worked as counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP and a partner at Ober Kaler. He was also a special assistant to former Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley with a focus on economic and community development.

With a desire to give back, Fowler has been a board member for Visit Baltimore since 2008. He has previously given his time to a number of additional boards and served as chair of the Public Markets Board, Maryland Lottery & Gaming Commission, Station North Arts District and Healthcare for the Homeless.