Patricia has been a long-standing member of Toronto's hospitality and culture industry providing exceptional customer service and overseeing venue-related services for special events, product launches, weddings, photo permits, film shoots, and corporate meetings. She has been supporting revenue-generating activities at the Toronto Botanical Garden for almost a decade and was previously a valued team member at Canada's National Ballet School.
Glenn joined TBG in December 2019. Glenn 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 who enjoys collecting an hybridizing hostas. Glen previously owned his own landscape design company which furthered his love for plants and nature. He has also been a hockey coach for over 30 years and has held executive positions with various hockey associations.
Natalie comes to Toronto Botanical Garden following seven 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 eight distinct programs in York and Durham, along with supervising the Claremont Nature Centre. Before joining 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.
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 and 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 update our systems and calibrate our financial reporting.
Melanie Lovering is a fundraising professional with 25+ years experience in all aspects of philanthropy from annual giving to multimillion-dollar capital campaigns. She began her career supporting grassroots charities and initiatives, later followed by work with KCI/Ketchum, Canada’s leading fundraising consulting firm, helping her hone her expertise by advising non-profit clients in education, healthcare, and social services. More recent marketing and fundraising-related roles with Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch) created opportunities for donors to help children living with cancer access nature-based recreational opportunities.
Her long-standing love of nature and the opportunity to share its transformational gifts with donors has inspired her arrival at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
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 Vice Chair of the executive committee. She received the Media Person of the Year Award at the 2023 Canadian Garden Tourism Awards in Victoria BC. She is a regular contributor to Trellis magazine, writing and photographing her botanically inspired DIY projects and recipes.
