Stephanie joined the Toronto Botanical Garden in January 2022 to support the Garden through its transformational growth. Her career spans more than 23 years in non-profit and cultural organizations. Stephanie brings unique experiences and perspectives in planning, program delivery, community engagement, non-profit administration, and the essential work we must continue to do around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access.
As a seasoned public garden leader, she focuses on inspiring a passion, curiosity, and awe of the natural world, in people of all ages, while fostering care and stewardship of ecosystems. This dedication is based in the awareness that public gardens and parks are one of the greatest tools to engage and connect our communities with nature while elevating a community's health, well-being, and prosperity.
Before joining the Botanical Garden, Stephanie served as the first President and CEO for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. During her tenure, Stephanie led the public/private partnership with the City of Des Moines, Iowa, transforming the former municipally operated facility into a vibrant public garden. Her work experience also includes positions at the American Horticultural Society, Smithsonian Institution, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Additionally, she has served on local and national boards of arts, environmental, and cultural organizations, including the American Public Garden Association, and the Garden Club of America.
Stephanie received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota, where she also studied non-profit management and museum studies. In 2021 she completed the George Washington University— Center for Public Leadership Excellence's e-Co Leadership Coaching Certification. Beyond her professional experience, Stephanie is a nature enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by inspiring nature, just 20-miles from the shores of Lake Superior in Cloquet, Minnesota.
Glenn joined TBG in December 2019. Glenn has worked in the retail sector for more than 20 years including the last 15 with the LCBO holding various positions including retail training consultant, manager and most recently as a product consultant.
Glenn brings with him a passion for horticulture. He was already a TBG member prior to joining as Shop Manager and has attended many TBG events including Canada Blooms and the Holiday Market. Glenn previously owned his own landscape design company which furthered his love for plants and nature. His other passions include hockey and volunteering. He has been a hockey coach for over 30 years and has held executive positions with various hockey associations.
Natalie comes to Toronto Botanical Garden following 7 years at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), serving as the Acting Senior Manager/Supervisor, Education and Training. In this role, Natalie led a team running 8 distinct programs in York and Durham, along with supervising the Claremont Nature Centre. Prior to the TRCA Natalie served as Executive Director of the High Park Nature Centre from 2013-2015 and served as the Supervisor/Coordinator of Children’s Programs at Toronto Botanical Garden from 2007-2015.
Natalie has a Bachelors of Education from the University of Toronto, a Certificate in Fine Art from Sheridan College, and a Certificate in Parks and Recreation Management from Schulich Executive Education Centre.
Roger joined the garden in September 2021 and was formerly employed at Holden Forests & Gardens in Kirtland, Ohio. He served many roles at Holden over the last 25 years, including VP of Horticulture & Conservation, and Curator of Living Collections & Land Assets. He played a key role in planning and managing gardens, as well as conducting public outreach in horticulture. He has a B.Sc. in horticulture from The Ohio State University and an M.Sc. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He blends his understanding of ornamental horticulture and native plant communities to come up with innovative solutions to landscape problems.
Robin is an accomplished finance and business manager with a background in various public, private and not-for-profit organizations. She is also a certified Brain Based Coach helping her facilitate positive change in people by improving thinking. Robin is committed to guiding executive leadership teams, has a proven track record of building collaborative cultures, developing exceptional teams and streamlining effective processes to achieve business goals and objectives.
Robin is an enthusiastic problem-solver, strategic planner and process improvement leader who guides organizations through effective decision-making. As she says, being a CPA is much more than crunching numbers.
Robin’s skill set will be valuable as we work to update our systems and get our financial reporting calibrated.
Samuel will support and partner with team members who deliver mission-driven programming, positive guest experiences and the day-to-day administration, while assuring that the facility is best positioned to be an inspiring plant place, an engaging learning environment and a dynamic community hub. The Facility Operations Manager is primarily responsible for the care and cleanliness of our active public facility and for ensuring that the needs of its user groups are met.
Samuel brings a diverse set of skills ranging from building management to culinary operations and banquet management. He led the daily management of a broad range of buildings including IBM Headquarters, Provincial Service sites, TD Centre, RBC Centre, Maple Leaf Square, ICE Condos, Simcoe Place, along with associated retail. Beyond building management, Samuel also served as the Culinary Operations Manager for three seasons at Rogers Centre/Skydome and as a Banquet Manager for Marriott Hotels. A long-time visitor to TBG, Samuel is an avid flower buyer and won an award for his condo balcony planting last year. He is also a Le Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef and a classically trained pianist.
Alison joined TBG in November 2019. With more than 25 years of fundraising and special event experience in the not-for-profit sector, she has worked in education, healthcare, politics and the arts. Organizations that she has worked for include the University of Toronto, the Ontario PC Party, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, JAZZ.FM91 and Easter Seals Ontario.
Alison has an interest in our natural heritage and horticulture, and spent many years working in a Scarborough nursery while she was in high school and university. An enthusiastic birder, Alison continues to increase her knowledge of our local flora and fauna. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto.
Jenny has worked in the charitable sector for over 25 years with educational institutions serving elementary and university students as well as life-long learners. She has been leading the brand stewardship, public relations, event management, and marketing efforts at the Botanical Garden since 2002. Jenny is a creative thinker, building visual and compelling stories for the Garden while forging sustainable strategic partnerships and creating fun, engaging (and delicious) public events.
Jenny is an active member of the Toronto Attractions Council, and the Marketing Chair of the executive committee. She is an enthusiastic home gardener - growing plants for DIY projects, supporting pollinators, and sharing with neighbours and friends.
