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
Mark Zimmerman, COO

Board of Directors

Ruthie Rinehart
Guy Swanson
Tom Isenberg
Amy Eckhoff, Chair
Justin White, Vice-Chair
Ellen Fairchild, Vice Chair/Treasurer
Gary Barnes, Secretary
Scott Burnett
Corey Casey
Kristopher Dabner
Mark Killen
Ann Mesle
Mary O’Connor
Anne Riker Powell
Nicholas Powell

Administration

Rikki Hays Clawson, Director, Human Resources
Amanda Tempel, Specialist, Administration

Campus Services

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

Development & Communications

Sharon Ramsey, Director of Development & Communication
Emma Robertson, Assistant Director, Development & Communication
Laina Burdette, Specialist, Marketing
Lori Harris, Specialist, Events and Corporate Partners

Education

Caitlin Eckard, Manager, Education
Julie Wise, Coordinator, Education

Horticulture

Julie Copley, Conservationist
Ryan Joseph, Technician
Christian Schoolcraft, Turf Technician
Naomi Chastain, Gardener
Susan Mertz, Director, Horticulture
Donna Covell, Lead Horticulturist
Philip Bishop, Assistant Director, Horticulture
Dakota Lepker, Senior Gardener, Production
Eric Perrette, Lead Horticulturist
Katie Smith, Gardener
Jasmine Blakely, Gardener
Christian Van Matre, Gardener, Visitor Center
Jadalyn Crozier, Gardener
Sarah Nichols, Gardener
Chenoah Reeder, Gardener
Matt Hockaday, Horticulturist
Zoe Aber, Senior Gardener
Blake Bell, Gardener
Lyza Cooper, Gardener
Tommy Loggins, Gardener

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

Public Programs

Jamie Runyon, Coordinator, Public Programs

Security

Bobby Cox
Dale Dolash
Dennis McVey
Wayne Nevils
Wayne Smith

Visitor Experience

Jenny Hayes, Director, Visitor Experience
Robyn Weber, Specialist, Visitor Experience
Stacy Gratwick, Specialist, Retail
Jennifer Love, Coordinator, Guest Services
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

Dark Forest (Oct. 13-15, 20-22, and 26-29) tickets are on sale online now.
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Link in bio. #powellgardens #quixotic @quixoticfusion #darkforestkc #botanicalgarden #spookyseason

Open
Dark Forest (Oct. 13-15, 20-22, and 26-29) tickets are on sale online now. . Link in bio. #powellgardens #quixotic @quixoticfusion #darkforestkc #botanicalgarden #spookyseason

Restoration continues among prairie communities at Powell Gardens. With the assistance of Conservation Crew volunteers, prairie communities along the Prairie Ridge Trail are being restored through stewardship tasks such as invasive species removal and woody encroachment management. Be sure to watch for improvements during your next hike on the Prairie Ridge Trail!
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Consider hiking the Prairie Ridge Trail of Family Discovery Loop during Trail Days on September 30 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.). With guided hikes and a forest yoga class included in admission, this is the perfect way to discover Powell Gardens’ trail system!

Open
Restoration continues among prairie communities at Powell Gardens. With the assistance of Conservation Crew volunteers, prairie communities along the Prairie Ridge Trail are being restored through stewardship tasks such as invasive species removal and woody encroachment management. Be sure to watch for improvements during your next hike on the Prairie Ridge Trail! . Consider hiking the Prairie Ridge Trail of Family Discovery Loop during Trail Days on September 30 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.). With guided hikes and a forest yoga class included in admission, this is the perfect way to discover Powell Gardens’ trail system!

As the weather begins to cool, you may be inspired to spend more time outdoors! Powell Gardens is open Wednesday-Sunday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Tickets are available online (link in bio).
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#powellgardens #botanicalgarden #garden #getoutside #explore #explorekc #kansascity #1000hoursoutside #fall

Open
As the weather begins to cool, you may be inspired to spend more time outdoors! Powell Gardens is open Wednesday-Sunday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Tickets are available online (link in bio). . #powellgardens #botanicalgarden #garden #getoutside #explore #explorekc #kansascity #1000hoursoutside #fall

Did you know Powell Gardens offers group ticket rates? Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more people looking to visit Powell Gardens. Click the “Hours and Admission” link in bio to learn more.
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Group bookings must select a 30-minute check-in window during the booking process. Please plan to arrive during this window but enjoy the Gardens as long as they are open. An add-on boxed lunch option is available to groups purchasing tickets in advance!
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#powellgardens #grouptickets #botanicalgarden #garden #getoutside #explore #grouprates

Open
Did you know Powell Gardens offers group ticket rates? Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more people looking to visit Powell Gardens. Click the “Hours and Admission” link in bio to learn more. . Group bookings must select a 30-minute check-in window during the booking process. Please plan to arrive during this window but enjoy the Gardens as long as they are open. An add-on boxed lunch option is available to groups purchasing tickets in advance! . #powellgardens #grouptickets #botanicalgarden #garden #getoutside #explore #grouprates

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