President and Chief Executive Officer

The Chicago Botanic Garden (“the Garden”), a world-class destination and a Chicago civic and cultural institution as well as an international leader in plant science, seeks a dynamic champion of its mission to connect plants, people, and planet. The President and CEO will lead the organization to its highest aspirations in its next chapter, further growing its impact across Cook County and the greater Chicago region while concurrently elevating its stature as one of the world’s premier display gardens, a national model in urban agriculture, and a globally recognized center of plant biology and conservation science.

In 2024, the Garden enjoyed more than 1.3 million visits to its main campus in Glencoe, Illinois, which is beautifully situated on 385 acres owned by its partner, the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Garden operations include 28 display gardens, six miles of lake shoreline, nine islands, including a renowned Japanese garden and bonsai collection, as well as a visitor center, learning center, plant conservation science center, public and production greenhouses, and 12 urban farms on Chicago’s south and west sides. It is also one of the few botanic gardens accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and has nearly 60,000 member households - one of the largest memberships of any garden in the world. The Garden will co-host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress to be held in Chicago in 2027, a superb opportunity for the CEO to lead efforts to highlight the Garden, expand its brand and reach, and deepen its impact.

The Board seeks a President and CEO who will advance a bold and inclusive vision for the institution, energize donor-members, volunteers, and Chicagoland community stakeholders, generate support for the Garden’s mission, and set ambitious plans for the future. This next leader will uplift the Garden’s scientific and educational contributions and continue to strengthen the organization as a civic and cultural resource that makes significant contributions to the Chicagoland region. The Garden, under the leadership of its next President and CEO, will effectively and persuasively communicate its mission and the breadth of its work and impact, advocate for resources, and envision new pathways for innovation and partnerships. This critical work will ensure the Garden is accessible and relevant to a wide range of audiences, from Chicago residents who have never visited a display garden or engaged with urban agriculture to top global scientists in the field. 

Jeff Kessner and Jackie Mildner are leading this search with Nella Young.