Meet our Leadership Team

Board Members

Brian Trader, Ph.D.

President/CEO

A visionary and community-minded leader, Brian Trader, Ph.D., brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his position as President and CEO. Brian’s background includes leadership management at premier public gardens, horticultural expertise, and a commitment to community.

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Kim Dove

Chief Operating Officer

Kim is an expert in hospitality, organizational leadership and staff development. She possesses a true passion for people and logistics, embracing the Garden’s core value of hospitality as we work to welcome visitors, members, volunteers and staff from Richmond’s diverse communities.

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Kristin Thoroman

Director of Education and Exhibitions

Kristin has been a part of the Garden team since the fall of 2010, when she joined the Children’s Garden staff as the Early Childhood Program Developer. Her passion for connecting people led into the role of Exhibitions Manager, where she worked closely with colleagues, volunteers, and the community to develop and produce exhibitions that complemented the inherent beauty of the Garden while providing new and innovative opportunities for visitor engagement. As the Director of Education and Exhibitions, Kristin now leads a team of 16 full-time equivalent employees with the goal of engaging visitors of all backgrounds and ages—from toddlers to seniors— in active experiential learning.

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Alice Baker

Director of Advancement

Alice has worked in higher education and nonprofit organizations since 1998 and brings to the Garden her strong background of successful fundraising experience. She is known for building collaborative relationships and her deep sense of commitment to the community. She oversees all charitable contributions to the Garden, including Annual Fund, Corporate Giving and Planned Gifts.

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John Morse

Director of Horticulture

John Morse shows a deep commitment to education and public gardens. He has experience at some of the country’s finest gardens including New York Botanical Garden, Cornell Botanical Gardens, Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum, and Bamboo Brook Historic Garden. John has a master’s in plant pathology and a bachelor’s in ornamental horticulture and botany, both from Cornell University. He is also an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist.

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Beth Monroe, APR

Public Relations and Marketing Director

Strategic public relations and marketing have helped propel Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to one of the region’s top destinations and national recognition. With a strong background in nonprofit and higher education, Beth leads public relations and marketing efforts at the Garden, bringing people and plants together to improve communities.

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Ken Myers

Director of Facilities

After a 20+ year career working in museums and historic preservation, Ken is excited to bring his expertise to a historic public garden setting. He looks forward to playing an important role in the Garden’s planned Capital projects as outlined in the Garden’s 2020–2024 Strategic Plan, Unearthing Our Potential (PDF).

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Frank Robinson

President Emeritus

Frank retired from the Garden on March 31, 2015. He has provided leadership to the Garden since 1992, first as Executive Director, then as President & CEO, and now as President Emeritus.

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