Paul Baribault is a transformational CEO who has led mission-driven enterprises through significant growth, operational turnaround, and strategic repositioning. With decades of executive leadership across high-impact and complex organizations, he leverages a unique blend of business acumen, consumer insight, and innovative strategy in his approach. He is recognized for driving enterprise value, reputational growth, and brand excitement, while building scalable infrastructure, and delivering enduring financial and cultural results.

Baribault served as President and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) from 2019 to 2025. He enhanced SDZWA's global conservation mission and public engagement, rebranded and restructured it to become a conservation-focused institution and drove the largest investments in infrastructure and conservation programs in its history. He dramatically improved the organization’s financial health by investing into key capital assets, reducing liabilities, and significantly increasing annual revenue, leading to the top performing years in the organization’s history, with assets surpassing $1B.

He secured the return of giant pandas to the United States, marking the first pandas to enter the country in over two decades.  His leadership aligned the core mission with operational excellence, and premier communications strategies, which helped SDZWA grow its media reach by more than 1,400% (29B to 425B annual media impressions) resulting in a significant increase in revenue. He further increased SDZWA’s role as a key economic engine for the San Diego region - driving $2.4B in annual economic value and supporting the creation of over 20,000 regional jobs.

Prior to 2019, Baribault served as a senior executive at Walt Disney Studios overseeing theatrical marketing and brand development for Disney Animation, Pixar, The Muppets, and Disneynature. His team helped launch the most successful decade in animation film history. And, as General Manager of the Disneynature film label, Baribault launched 14 films, while delivering measurable conservation outcomes through strategic partnerships with leading conservation organizations, governments, and sponsors; yielding millions of acres protected and trees planted.

He currently serves as a Director of The Explorers Club in New York City. His previous board leadership roles include Board Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute, Executive Committee Member of Jackson Wild, and Executive Chair of the Aspen High Seas Initiative at the Aspen Institute. 

His leadership has also been recognized, receiving three CEO of the Year Awards (Chief Executives Council, Globee, & San Diego Business Journal). Fast Company recognized SDZWA under his leadership as one of the most innovative companies in the world and brands that matter. And, Forbes recognized them twice as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers.

He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), San Diego Chapter, and a member of the Chief Executives Organization (CEO).