Leadership & Staff

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

Tabitha Schmidt
CEO/President

Tabitha Schmidt joined Powell Gardens in the summer of 2016 as CEO and President. She has important goals for her work at the Gardens, including growing the organization in meaningful ways that invest in a long-term, sustainable future. She has extensive background in non-profits and educational institutions, having held such positions as the Director of Cultural Arts at the Jewish Community Center, Executive Director of the Museum of Texas Tech University, Director of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, Associate Educator of Adult Learning/Manager of Tour Programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Director of Instruction/Arts Partners Coordinator at Kansas City Young Audiences and Student Activities Coordinator/Adjunct Art and Art History Faculty at Maple Woods Community College. Tabitha earned a B.A. in Art from Baker University and an M.A. in Art History from UMKC.

Susan VonGretzinger is the Executive Assistant to the President- svongretzinger@powellgardens.org

Powell Gardens Board of Directors

Emily J. Matteson
COO

Emily Matteson joined Powell Gardens as COO after over 9 years at a fundraising firm in Lawrence, KS. A KU graduate, Emily calls Lawrence home with her two, 10-year-old boys, Memphis & Felix and partner of eight years, JT Mueller. P.Nut, the family’s ornery chihuahua, has been a member of the family since 2014. Raised in a small, farming community in south-central Kansas, Emily feels working for the Gardens helps get her back to her roots.

Horticulture

Susan Mertz

Director of Horticulture

Maintenance

Education, Interpretation & Outreach

Kristy Peterson
Director of Education, Interpretation & Outreach

Advancement

Molly Kenney
Director of Development

Visitor Services

Kalie Hudson
Director, Visitor Experience & Marketing