Engagement Manager

After several years on the horticulture team, Lindsay now serves as ABG's Engagement Manager.  In this position, she weaves together institutional knowledge and past work experience in farming, floristry, entrepreneurship, and event design to add sparkle and depth to the organization's public offerings.  In her spare time, Lindsay enjoys yardening with her young daughter and is slowly learning to love hostas. 

Garden & Facilites Manager

Will grew up in Tennessee and worked construction with his father’s company. He went to Murry State University and received a horticulture degree. He has been working in horticulture for 20 years. He is passionate about plants and bikes and enjoys recreating outside with a bike or skis. He also always happy to be volunteering fixing bike or in community gardens. 

Executive Director

Mike has 20+ years of experience in the horticulture industry. He holds a master's degree in horticulture from Michigan State University where he studied green roof systems. Mike has worked as a horticulturist at Fred Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI, and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden near Charlotte, NC. He has been with ABG since 2012 and has been the Garden's Executive Director since 2018. 

Education Manager

Stacey Shriner is the Education Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for ABG. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Education, and is certified in Horticlture Therapy and Forest Bathing. She has been connecting both kids and adults to their natural world for over 20 years. She loves creating new curriculum that weaves together the natural sciences with experiential learning in nature.   

Education Associate

Genevieve is a lifelong Alaskan who grew up visiting the Garden every spring. Genevieve brings nearly 10 years of experience in out-of-school programming and early childhood education. Their teaching is informed by a BA in Elementary Education from UAS, and continuously inspired by the ready access to the natural world that Alaska so readily provides. At the Alaska Botanical Garden, Genevieve strives to provide place-based, culturally relevant experiential learning through camps, workshops, and all-ages programming. 

Marketing & Design Associate

Sophie Rae started working at the Garden in 2022 after returning to her home state of Alaska from New York City. There, she earned her BA at The Pratt Institute and began her career in arts.

Development Associate

Micaela focuses on strengthening ABG’s membership program, coordinating sustainable fundraising efforts, and fostering community partnerships. With a background in non-profit work Micaela has a strong desire to see Alaskan institutions thrive. She wants everyone in Anchorage to have the opportunity to visit the unique and beautiful garden space that she gets work in every day.

Education Associate

Summer is an ABG educator with over five years of experience working in environmental education. Specializing in experiential education, she brings forth engaging programs teaching the natural history, gardening and ecology of Alaska. Before joining the team Summer worked for Smithsonian Affiliates and the Green Mountain Center for Sustainability to create student-led environmental action groups focused on agroecology & conservation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education from Prescott College and is passionate about sharing her love of nature. 

Horticulture Associate

Rachel came to ABG in 2021 with a background in annual flower production and small-scale vegetable farming. Since then, her experience has expanded into herbaceous perennials and native wildflowers. Her role with the horticulture team includes managing ABG's Guided Gardening and CSA programs, coordinating horticulture volunteer opportunities, and all forms of year-round garden maintenance. 

Education Associate

Patrick Ryan is a garden communicator, an Alaska Master Gardener, and served as the Education Specialist for the Alaska Botanical Garden for 20 years. Patrick trained as a Junior Master Gardener Specialist at Texas A&M and started a Summer camp in Anchorage in 2004. He has presented his engaging and practical horticultural talks around the country. He has offered his expertise to gardeners, to those who teach gardeners, and most important—to the children who will be gardeners in the future.

Retail & Guest Services Associate

Katie joined the Alaska Botanical Garden team in spring 2024. Before moving to Alaska, she worked in the perennial gardening industry in Crested Butte, Colorado, where she designed and installed both large-scale and private gardens. As an artist and lifelong plant enthusiast, Katie brings both passions to her role—creating engaging content for the Garden and collaborating with local and botanical artists to curate the Garden’s gift shop.

Facilities Associate

BOARD CO-PRESIDENT

Michelle is a nonprofit leader with 25 years of experience advancing environmental and community missions. Since 2019, she has served as Director of Philanthropy and Marketing for the Anchorage Park Foundation, leading strategic initiatives to strengthen organizational capacity and expand community impact. Her background includes leadership with the National Audubon Society in Alaska, nearly a decade running a nonprofit consulting practice serving clients across Alaska and California, and launching a regional coalition promoting sustainable gardening in the San Francisco Bay Area. Active in the community, she serves on the boards of the Anchorage Audubon Society and the Alaska Botanical Garden. Michelle completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University and earned a graduate degree from the University of Denver. She enjoys exploring Alaska’s outdoors with her family year-round.

BOARD CO-PRESIDENT

Stefanie combines two core strengths: strategic governance and educational expertise. With two graduate degrees, Advanced Master Gardener training, and 30 years of experience in public and post-secondary education, her work focuses on designing sustainable systems, building leadership capacity, and fostering collaborative learning. Delivering measurable results is her strength. This methodology, essential to the non-profit sector, is built on team consensus and trust, driving organizational alignment toward impactful, long-term objectives. Joining the Board in 2023, she champions the Garden as a vital, welcoming living museum and community hub, advocating for initiatives to secure its sustainability and institutional viability.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Justin is Vice President of the Board, Chair of the Facility Expansion Committee, and serves on the Executive and Finance Committees. A principal architect at ECI with over fifteen years of experience, he supports the Botanical Gardens in planning for its future built environment. His earlier work as a commercial lending credit analyst focused on small business and real estate, continues to inform his architectural practice and work with the gardens by linking finance and building. With graduate studies focused on environmental design, Justin integrates landscape and architecture, creating spaces that respond to both practical needs and the natural setting.

BOARD TREASURER

Rebecca serves as the Treasurer of the Alaska Botanical Garden Board.  Rebecca has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit world.  She holds a Masters degree in Finance/Accounting. Her expertise is in managing large scale projects for healthcare and technology organizations.  Rebecca has successfully completed projects both on time and within budget. She looks forward to using her skills to support ABG staff in keeping the gardens a prominent and affordable attraction for Alaskans.  Rebecca loves all ABG events, especially the winter lights and dinners in the garden.  Her favorite garden is the rock garden and its diversity of plants.

BOARD SECRETARY

As a retired elementary teacher with a strong outdoor education background, Susan has been an asset to the Garden for curriculum development, for beginning an education program, for extending garden projects out into the community and for encouraging a love of nature experiences. A passionate gardener who has served many years on the Board, she also opened Lighthouse Gardens for fund raising opportunities. Long term involvement now provides the necessary historical perspective and appreciation for the Garden’s evolution. She values all that the Garden offers but is particularly grateful for the committed, resilient staff.

BOARD MEMBER

Crystal is a founder and part-owner of Toast of the Town, an event planning & management agency based in Anchorage, Alaska. She has over 10 years of experience working with non-profit clients to help fundraise and develop marketing strategies around their brand and message. With a passion for the outdoors and building community, she values the vital role ABG plays in Alaska in sharing its natural wonders with others who travel to this great state. 

BOARD MEMBER

Brian hopes to help ABG become a stronger entity and develop strategies to capture some of the massive transfer of wealth occurring as "baby boomers" transition to new life forms. He joined the Board in January 2022. Brian’s goals as a Board member are to listen, help out, and transmit positive energy. His favorite aspect of the garden is the Arctic Kiwi.

BOARD MEMBER

Claire is the founder of Boreal Bioscapes, a leader in sustainable garden and landscape design in Anchorage. She has served on ABG’s Board since 2019, and was President from 2021-2023. During her tenure, she has worked to strengthen the composition of the ABG’s Board and the critical role it plays in strategic organizational oversight. Claire is dedicated to a future where the Garden’s infrastructure and programming can expand to further inspire, educate and bring joy to Alaskans and visitors to Alaska.

BOARD MEMBER

Kirsten brings a strategic mindset and extensive leadership experience in nonprofit operations to the Alaska Botanical Garden. She has overseen key support departments—including Marketing, Development, Grant Writing, and Wellness Education—ensuring mission-driven growth and organizational sustainability. Her background in guiding cross-functional teams and advancing educational initiatives aligns with the Garden’s goals of outreach and community enrichment. Kirsten joined the Board in January 2022 and is committed to ABG’s future—for its impact on the Anchorage community and the meaningful role it plays in her family’s traditions.

BOARD MEMBER

Ken is a retired landscape architect. He practiced privately in Alaska from 1975-1992 and with the National Park Service, Alaska Region Office (Anchorage) from 1992-2002, plus part time until 2011. He looks forward to contributing whatever service he is able to further the goals and mission of the Garden. Ken’s favorite aspects of the Garden are native plants and the creative use of lights to bring more people into the garden.

BOARD MEMBER

Shannon has been an active member of Alaska’s non-profit community for more than 15 years. She brings extensive experience in philanthropy, guest services, and membership management to the Alaska Botanical Garden. Her background in guest-centered non-profits strengthens the Garden’s mission and supports key funding streams through admissions, memberships, and donor engagement. Passionate about connecting people with the natural beauty of Alaska, Shannon is dedicated to fostering a thriving, sustainable garden that inspires visitors and nurtures a love of nature in the community.

BOARD MEMBER