Leadership & Staff

Powell Gardens employs a diverse staff to maintain, grow, promote and evolve the Gardens and the organizational vision and mission.

Senior Executives

Cody Jolliff, CEO

Board of Directors

Amy Eckhoff, Vice-Chair
Justin White, Vice-Chair
Ellen Fairchild, Chair
Gary Barnes, Secretary
Scott Burnett
Kristopher Dabner
Mary O’Connor
Nicholas Powell
Ruthie Rinehart
Guy Swanson, Treasurer
Tom Isenberg

Administration

Rikki Hays Clawson, Director, Human Resources
Tacey Beard, Specialist, Administration

Campus Services

Debora Williams, Campus Superintendent
Christopher Heller, Lead, Campus Services
Heather Lawrence, Assistant, Campus Services
Nikol Talley, Assistant, Campus Services

Development & Communications

Amanda Tempel, Specialist, Development
Sharon Ramsey, Director of Development & Communication
Emma Robertson, Assistant Director, Development & Communication
Laina Burdette, Specialist, Marketing

Education

Julie Wise, Coordinator, Education

Horticulture

Lyza Cooper, Gardener
Christian Van Matre, Gardener, Visitor Center
Dawson Sims, Plant Records Registrar
Brent Tucker, Lead Horticulturist
Katie Smith, Gardener
Dakota Lepker, Senior Gardener, Production
Donna Covell, Lead Horticulturist
Naomi Chastain, Gardener
Ryan Joseph, Technician
Susan Mertz, Director, Horticulture
Zoe Aber, Senior Gardener
Matt Hockaday, Horticulturist
Chenoah Reeder, Gardener
Jadalyn Crozier, Gardener
Jasmine Blakely, Gardener
Eric Perrette, Lead Horticulturist
Philip Bishop, Assistant Director, Horticulture

Private Events

Paula Elledge, Manager, Private Events
Destiny Valluzzi, Coordinator, Private Events
Shelley May, Special Events Assistant
Wayne Nevils, Special Events Assistant
Jennifer Wilson, Special Events Assistant

Property & Facilities

Mark DeBrot, Manager, Property & Facilities
Troy Young, Lead, Maintenance
Fletcher Carlile, Assistant, Property & Facilities
Dave Chastain, Assistant, Maintenance

Public Programs

Caitlin Eckard, Assistant Director, Public Programs and Visitor Experience
Kelli Votypka, Director, Public Programs & Visitor Experience

Security

Bobby Cox
Dale Dolash
Dennis McVey
Wayne Nevils
Wayne Smith

Visitor Experience

Robyn Weber, Specialist, Visitor Experience
Heather Clenin, Coordinator, Retail
Rhonda Schulte, Visitor Experience
Roland Thibault, Visitor Experience
Gary Miller, Tram Driver
Don Prieve, Tram Driver
Steve Wance, Tram Driver
Ken Marcotte, Tram Driver
Elise Kratz, Specialist, Retail
Bethany Vermillion, Coordinator, Food & Beverage
Look for blooming magnolias during your next visit to Powell Gardens! 🩷
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These hardy flowering trees bloom from February to June, depending on the variety. Powell Gardens’ magnolia collection has been certified by the @americanpublicgardens’ North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). 
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#powellgardens #botanicalgarden #plantcollection #magnolia #garden #tree #spring
📅 Save the Dates: Mother's Day Weekend (May 11-12, 2024) 
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Powell Gardens invites you to a delightful Mother's Day weekend at Kansas City’s botanical garden! Join us for a picnic lunch (May 11) or brunch (May 12) and indulge in delicious treats, explore the gardens, and create special memories with Mom. 🍓🥪 
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Learn more at the Events link in bio. #powellgardens #mothersday #botanicalgarden #gardenpicnic #family #mothersdaygift #kansascity
Visit Orchid Delirium Wednesday-Sunday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) through April 14, 2024. As the kick-off to Powell Gardens’ spring season, this indoor botanical exhibit provides an immersive tropical oasis for all orchid appreciators! 
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Admission linked in bio. #powellgardens #orchiddelirium #botanicalgarden
Weekend plans. 🩷🌱☀️
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Orchid Delirium is open at Powell Gardens Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission linked in bio.
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#orchiddeliriumkc #powellgardens #orchid #orchidsofinstagram #plants #botanicalgarden

Follow us on Instagram @PowellGardens