Jess Nierad joined the Garden in 2022 and serves as senior director of development, institutional giving. She leads the organization’s efforts to cultivate authentic, long-term partnerships with corporate, foundation and government supporters.
Previously, Nierad was the philanthropy and data manager at Child Crisis Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from California Lutheran University and a master’s degree in literature and language from Marymount University.
Nierad is a member of the Arizona Founding Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association.