Kenneth J. Schutz
The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director
480.481.8103
Ken Schutz has held executive leadership positions at cultural institutions for more than 40 years, and he has been at the helm of the Desert Botanical Garden since 2001. During his tenure there, he has managed construction of $35 million in new exhibits and facilities, doubled local attendance, initiated dynamic new education and research projects and raised more than $15 million in gifts and pledges for the Garden’s endowment.
When Ken first interviewed to be the Garden’s Executive Director in 2001, the search committee described his ultimate task as making sure the Garden no longer remained Phoenix’s “best kept secret.” He and the Garden’s leadership team have met that challenge head on, and Ken describes his greatest professional satisfaction as the regional and national prominence the Garden has achieved for its excellence in desert plant conservation and exhibition.
On a national level, Ken was appointed to the board of the Institute for Museum and Library Services by President Obama from 2016 to 2021. He served as an accreditation commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums from 2015 to 2019, and as President of the American Public Gardens Association from 2013 to 2015. Ken was selected as a Piper Fellow by the Virginia G. Piper Trust in 2003.
Prior to moving to Phoenix, Ken held the position of Executive Director of the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and before that he was Director of Marketing and development for the Baltimore Zoo. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.S. degree from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from Bucknell University.
The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director
Margie Burke
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
480.481.8155
Margie Burke joined the Garden as Chief Financial & Operating Officer in March 2019 with over 30 years of financial management experience in both the public and private sectors. Burke’s most recent position as CFO at Hospice of the Valley makes her uniquely qualified to join the Garden’s leadership team. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and operations of the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities Operations teams.
Burke is an active member of Soroptimist International of Phoenix and an officer on the Golden West Region Board. She is also involved with Hushabye Nursery, a local not for profit and is currently serving as Treasurer. Burke is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arizona State Society of CPAs and Financial Executives International. Burke received her Masters of Business Administration from University of Phoenix and Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University.
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Dr. Kimberlie McCue
Chief Science Officer
480.481.8137
Chief Science Officer
Elaine McGinn
Chief Experience Officer
480.481.8174
Elaine McGinn joined the Garden in 1997. In partnership with the executive director and senior staff, she provides leadership in Garden planning and visitor engagement strategies. She leads Garden teams who are responsible for visitor experiences, including exhibits, events, education, and marketing to identify long-range visitor experience goals and develop planning strategies for expanding audience development and engagement. She has extensive experience in exhibit development and design, master planning, and interpretation. During her tenure with Desert Botanical Garden, she has led major exhibit initiatives including new permanent displays, interpretive planning, seasonal butterfly exhibits and annual art exhibitions. Elaine holds a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College and completed an executive leadership program at the University of Michigan. Elaine received a Virginia G. Piper Fellowship in 2009 to study garden design and the exploration of place-making.
Chief Experience Officer
Mike Remedi
Chief Development Officer
602.908.3847
Mike Remedi has more than 20 years of fundraising and advancement experience. Having grown-up in Phoenix, Mike has dedicated his career to strengthening organizations for Arizona. In January 2022, the Garden brought Mike on board as its first Chief Development Officer. In this new role, he is building a new philanthropic strategy for the Garden, with a special focus on growing the contributed revenue from annual, major and planned giving donors.
Previously, Mike held various leadership roles at Arizona State University. During his 17-year tenure at ASU, Mike raised more than $75M for capital campaigns to support students, faculty and facilities. Consistent with his commitment to public service, Mike has served on several community boards and is excited to find new ways to represent the Garden to all Arizonans.
Chief Development Officer
Genevieve Ennis
Controller
480.941.3505
Genevieve Ennis is a finance and accounting professional with more than 20 years of experience. Most recently, she served as Manager of Central Support and Accounting with Pinal County Public Health Department, Ennis was responsible for the management of more than 50 grant funded programs as well as management of the Health Department’s general budget and operations. Her varied background and experience in both the private and public sector will lend itself well to her role as Controller at the Garden. Ennis received her bachelors of science in accounting from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing dual masters degree in accounting and leadership with Western Governors University.
Controller
Andrew Cipriano
Senior Director of Education
480.423.7018
Andrew Cipriano joined Desert Botanical Garden as the Director of Education in July 2022. With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah, and a masters in Multidisciplinary Studies from SUNY Buffalo State College of New York, he brings with him many years of experience as an educator and school administrator in both the United States and South America.
Most recently, Andrew has served for eight years as administrator of a private elementary school in central Phoenix. Prior to that, he worked for almost a decade as a teacher, administrator and curriculum coordinator at an American International School in Caracas, Venezuela. He describes himself as a third-generation gardener and lifelong outdoorsman, who has spent many hours exploring our Garden trails along with his family. Andrew is thrilled to combine his passion for education with his love of the outdoors and gardening in his new role at Desert Botanical Garden.
Senior Director of Education
Kevina Devereaux
Senior Director of Social Responsibility & Inclusion
480.423.7015
Kevina Devereaux joined the Garden in 2019 in the Human Resources department as the Manager of Workforce Development & Diversity. In 2021, she was promoted to Senior Director of Social Responsibility & Inclusion. She oversees the Garden’s inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) strategy, coordinates organizational efforts to reach I.D.E.A. goals, and strengthens community relationships to cultivate a fully inclusive organization representing the community. She also manages the Garden’s partnership at Spaces of Opportunity, a 19-acre incubator farm, family gardens, and on-site farmers market in South Phoenix that helps families have affordable access to healthy food and active living.
In continuing her passion with working with public gardens, Kevina also serves on the I.D.E.A. and Nomination Committees for American Public Gardens Association (APGA).
She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University.
Senior Director of Social Responsibility & Inclusion
Marcia Flynn
Senior Director of Event Services
480.481.8154
Marcia Flynn joined the Garden in 2000, and has more than 25 years of event management experience. As Senior Director of Event Services, she is responsible for the management and strategic leadership of overall operations and budget of the department, which includes special and seasonal events, concerts, weddings and facility rentals, fundraisers, group tours, plus the food and beverage program and retail operations, including Gertrude’s Restaurant and the Garden Shop.
Her leadership has led to incredible growth of the Events department, crowned by the annual Dinner on the Desert and the beloved Las Noches de las Luminarias each holiday season.
Marcia and her team have developed and established compelling events and programs designed to generate revenue, engage new and diverse audiences, while reflecting and meeting the mission and values of the Garden. Additionally, she has cultivated invaluable partnerships with local nonprofits, performing arts venues and vendors, with whom they have contributed to building the Garden’s success.
She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and International Business.
Senior Director of Event Services
Laura Spalding Best
Senior Director of Exhibits
480.423.7020
Laura Spalding Best joined the Garden in 2022 after more than 15 years at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art where, as Exhibitions Manager, she led the design and installation of museum exhibitions. Best graduated from Arizona State University in 2003 and has been actively involved in the Valley art community since then as both an artist and arts professional. Best brings her extensive experience in art, design and logistics to the Exhibits department to activate Garden spaces with dynamic and meaningful exhibits.
Senior Director of Exhibits
Courtney Stanford
Senior Director, Visitor & Member Services
480.481. 8194
Courtney Stanford is responsible for managing the front line visitor and member experience. She started with the Garden in 2018 as the Membership Manager. Since 2019, she served as the Program Director, Membership, where she focused on program growth and increased retention of member households. Prior to joining the Garden, she was President of the Lauderdale-by-the Sea, FL Chamber of Commerce, where she developed programs for member growth and tourist outreach, while also serving as the Broward County Association of Chamber Presidents’ liaison to the Marketing and Advisory Committee of Visit Lauderdale. She has held numerous positions throughout her career in development, annual giving and membership, which include the University of Colorado, Scripps College, and The Huntington Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. She holds a BA in history from Scripps College.
Senior Director of Visitor & Member Services
Anice Stonerock
Senior Director of Human Resources
480.481.8116
Anice Stonerock joined the Garden in June 2022 as the Senior Director of Human Resources. She’s spent 30 years working in employee relations, organizational design and staff training for a wide variety of businesses including healthcare, local media, telecommunications, insurance and legal services. Anice also has extensive experience with helping teams to stay nimble in their work and easily adjust to changing circumstances. Anice has a bachelor’s of arts in English/Communications from Albright College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University in California. She’s also a member of the Society of Human Resources Management with extensive experience in teambuilding and leadership. She is currently a board member of Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun (RTVOS).
Senior Director of Human Resources
Dana Terrazas
Senior Director of Marketing Communications
602.295.5177
Senior Director of Marketing Communications
Tina Wilson
Senior Director of Horticulture
480.481.8168
Senior Director of Horticulture
Kelsey wolf-donnay
Senior Director of Development, Individual Giving
480.481.8147
Kelsey Wolf-Donnay joined the Garden in 2014 and became Senior Director of Development, Individual Giving in 2022. She finds joy in fostering deep relationships with donors and volunteers to advance the Garden’s mission. She leads the Individual Giving team, cultivating and stewarding donors through various programs and events.
Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University. In 2021, she became a Certified Fund Raising Executive. She graduated from the Garden’s Legacy Leadership Academy in 2021 and the American Express Leadership Academy at ASU Lodestar Center in 2019. She was also a member of the Suns Charities 88 class of 2016. She serves on the board of directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Arizona Chapter. Born and raised in Arizona, she has visited the Garden since she was a baby and enjoys bringing her family to the Garden.
Senior Director of Development, Individual Giving
Michael Hempel
Michael Hempel brings more than 25 years of experience to the Garden leading transformative technology initiatives across state government, nonprofit organizations and NASDAQ-listed companies. Michael is responsible for defining and executing the Garden’s IT strategy, fostering innovation and ensuring the resilience and efficiency of its digital infrastructure.
Prior to joining the Garden, Michael served as the Chief Information Officer for the Industrial Commission of Arizona, where he spearheaded significant technological advancements. He also held key roles as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Newtek Technology Solutions and Senior Director of Information Technology for the Arizona Humane Society. Michael has a bachelor of science in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix.
Senior Director of Information Technology
Mike Thoreby
Senior Director Facilities & Operations
480.481.8199
Michael Thoreby joined the Garden in 2024 with more than 30 years of facilities and operations experience in public and private sectors including city government, fire and police, public schools, healthcare, university, commercial, residential and mixed-use campuses. Thoreby received his bachelor of applied science in Sustainable Building Science Technology from South Seattle College and holds multiple active designations with the Building Owners and Managers Institute.
Senior Director of Facilities & Operations
Alana Turner
Executive Administrator & Board Liaison
480.941.3500
Alana Turner joined the Garden as Executive Assistant in 2018, supporting The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director, the Garden’s board of trustees, senior staff team, and staff overall. Previously, Alana served as the executive assistant at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and worked in the commercial architecture and engineering industries, before returning to her first love in local arts and culture. Alana received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Executive Administrator & Board Liaison
