Leading at Longwood

President and Chief Executive Officer

Paul implements visionary institutional and strategic reforms that have positioned the Gardens as a premier horticultural, cultural, and educational institution of the 21st Century, advancing our mission of bringing joy and inspiration to all through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning.

Chief Horticulture and Facilities Officer

Andres leads the Facilities and Horticulture departments who are responsible for creating and maintaining the world-renowned displays, special exhibits, landscapes, and infrastructure throughout our 1,100 acres. 

Must-see plant at Longwood: The Oriental Lilies. You can smell them before you can see them and once you see them, they look just as amazing as they smell. 

Vice President, Guest Services and Operations

Chris leads Guest Services and Operations, which includes more than 600 staff members and volunteers across seven divisions, working to ensure a pleasant visit to Longwood's 1.8 million annual guests.

Must-visit Longwood spot: Acacia Passage

Associate Vice President, Security

Thad oversees Longwood’s Security & Public Safety team, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of Longwood’s guests and staff.

Favorite Longwood experience: Visiting the Chimes Tower District and waterfall. 

Vice President, Engagement and Learning

Kay leads and oversees the strategic development of Longwood’s award-winning in-person on site, online, and community educational and training programs, which have attracted and engaged learners of all ages from around the globe since 1956, and is inclusive of Longwood’s library, archives, plant records, and docent programs in addition to our formal and informal learning opportunities.

Favorite garden at Longwood: The Meadow Garden

Vice President, Horticulture

Chris leads Longwood’s Horticulture Department, delivering world-class horticultural displays, and implementing strategic plans centered around climate change and sustainable design.

Favorite garden at Longwood: Idea Garden

Chief Experience and Brand Officer

Marnie leads the Experience and Brand Core Team which includes Engagement & Learning, Marketing & Communications, Arts, Programming, and Interpretation divisions, sharing one connected strategy resulting in an extraordinary, more meaningful experience so guests and Members return again and again.

Favorite Longwood experience: Watching the sun set, with a hand-crafted, to-go cocktail from 1906, under the London-plane trees on the far west side of the Gardens.

Associate Vice President, Facilities Management

Anne-Marie leads the team responsible for managing operations, maintenance, and upgrades of Longwood’s facilities, prioritizing and leading Gardens improvement projects to further Longwood’s mission.

Favorite garden at Longwood: Italian Water Garden (in the summer)

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Nick manages all aspects of marketing, communications, creative services, and Membership to achieve attendance, revenue, and brand goals.

Must-visit spot at Longwood: The Hillside Garden. It’s a beautiful spot, tucked away, cool, and shaded

Chief Operating Officer

Nicolo is responsible for setting the strategy for and leading guest services and operations at Longwood Gardens, as well as the hospitality and guest experiences at Longwood at Granogue.

Associate Vice President, Conservatories

Chad oversees the Gardens’ conservatories, leading the team of talented horticulturists and designers who bring Longwood’s renowned indoor gardens to life.

Must-see plant at Longwood: The giant rabbit's-foot fern (Davallia fejeensis 'Major')

Associate Vice President, Guest Experience

Renee leads the Visitor Center, Retail, Arts and Engagement Divisions, overseeing many facets of the guest experience, services, operations and programs happening in the Gardens to ensure our guests and Members feel welcome.

Must-see plant: An old Japanese maple out in Oak and Conifer Knoll near the stone wall. The branches are stunning and twist and turn in so many ways. The leaves turn a rainbow of colors in fall and when the sunlight hits at a certain time of day it looks like it's on fire. 

Chief Human Resources and Culture Officer

Shelley leads the organization’s efforts to attract, develop, engage, and retain the best talent, with a focus on elevating employees and building strong teams while helping to foster inclusion. 

Must-visit spot at Longwood: Follow the path through the Hillside Garden, winding past the Chimes Tower and the bridge over the waterfall.  It is especially lovely in the early spring and fall.

Chief Strategy Officer

Matt leads Longwood's efforts in long-range planning, mission impact measurement, data, and technology innovation.

Favorite Longwood experience: Fireworks & Fountains Shows (always the classical show)

Public Relations Officer and Associate Vice President, Marketing

Patricia leads the Communications Division, overseeing Longwood’s brand voice, external communications, and media relations, to elevate regional, national, and international awareness of the Gardens and its mission.

Favorite garden at Longwood: Garden Path in the East Conservatory—always a riot of color!

Chief Financial and Risk Officer

Dennis has served Longwood for 20 years, holding positions as an accountant and a controller prior to his current position.

Must-visit spot at Longwood: 1906

Associate Vice President, Horticultural Operations

Shawn leads the Horticulture Operations Division, overseeing the outdoor landscape, arborists, turfgrass, plant health care, woody plant production, procurement and management teams, ensuring the ongoing excellence of our outdoor displays. 

Must-visit spot at Longwood: Viewing the Italian Water Garden from the Pierce’s Woods waterfall path, west looking northeast. It's a fantastic perspective that most guests do not get to experience.

Vice President, Human Resources

Julie and her team implement programs that promote the well-being of our staff and volunteers, and are dedicated to creating and maintaining a progressive and innovative employee culture that attracts and retains top talent.

Favorite Longwood experience: Flower Garden Walk (during Spring Blooms) 

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Rachel works to advance Longwood’s mission and strategic priorities by providing the vision and leadership to create, implement, and administer a comprehensive giving program and related activities for our world-renowned Gardens.  

Must-see plant at Longwood: Blue Poppies

Vice President, Information Technology

Mike leads Longwood’s organizational IT strategy and implementation, ensuring secure, reliable operations. He oversees all aspects of data governance, compliance, and privacy.

Favorite Longwood experience: An evening fountain performance.

Vice President, Finance

Eileen oversees the daily operations of the Finance & Risk team and maintains Longwood’s long-range financial outlook. She and her team are responsible for the annual financial statement audit and financial compliance.

Must-visit Longwood spot: The Hillside Garden. It's shady and secluded in summer months!

Associate Vice President, Science

Kate leads Longwood's science-based activities, strategically driving our work in conservation, growth, sustainability and inspiration across floriculture production, land stewardship and ecology, soils and compost, conservation horticulture, collections and science communications towards local, national, and global impact.

Must-visit spot at Longwood: The Meadow Garden. Regardless of the time of year, you will find yourself immersed in the rich native biodiversity of the Brandywine Valley region and surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wildlife that call this area home.

Associate Vice President, Project Management

Jeff oversees the planning, design, schedule, budget and logistics of construction activities for Longwood’s capital projects and select operating projects.

Favorite experience at Longwood: The Children's Garden. I love the whimsical architecture and attention to texture and detail.

Associate Vice President, Events and Operations

Jonathan leads the Events and Operational Services Divisions, overseeing Events at Longwood, concierge services, photography sessions, and operational support for exceptional guest and staff experiences.

Favorite garden at Longwood: Ornamental Kitchen Garden (in the summer)

Vice President, Facilities and Capital Projects

John oversees the construction and maintenance of Longwood facilities, supporting infrastructure and systems, and all capital and operating projects. 

Favorite plant at Longwood: Atlas cedar trees at Oak & Conifer Knoll