Longwood Gardens Appoints Liza Cartmell to Board of Trustees

Press Release

KENNETT SQUARE, PA - Longwood Gardens announces the appointment of Elizabeth (Liza) Cartmell, retired hospitality and strategic planning executive, to its Board of Trustees. The appointment is effective November 1, 2022.

“Liza’s experience in strategic planning, operations, and financial analysis make her an outstanding addition to Longwood’s Board of Trustees,” said Paul B. Redman, Longwood Gardens President & CEO. “We appreciate her dedication to creating remarkable guest experiences and her expertise in tourism and hospitality.” 

Prior to immersing herself in real estate development alongside her son in 2015, Cartmell’s professional career began at Mellon Bank in 1982 and she retired in 2011 from ARAMARK after 22 years at the food service, facilities, and uniform services provider. While at ARAMARK, she held positions as President of the Sports and Entertainment Group, Division President for Stadiums and Arenas, Chief Financial Officer of the Sports and Entertainment Group, and Assistant Treasurer. She oversaw two major acquisitions and negotiated major client contracts which led to the company’s emergence as the largest player in the concession businesses in stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, convention centers as well as national and state parks. Cartmell also served on the Boards of the Boston Red Sox and the San Antonio Spurs while at ARAMARK.

“I am honored to join the Longwood Gardens Board of Trustees,” said Cartmell. “Longwood is a cultural treasure that delights more than 1.5 million guests from around the world each year,” Cartmell said. “I look forward to working to ensure that Longwood’s mission of bringing joy, inspiration, and beauty to all continues to thrive for generations to come.”  

Cartmell’s work on advisory boards spans decades and transcends organizations from a multitude of industries—including hospitality, sport, and cultural institutions. A lifelong New Jersey resident, she has dedicated herself to cultivating tourism and economic development in the region. She has served on the Advisory Board of the privately held, Philadelphia headquartered, Day & Zimmermann since 2005 and served on the Advisory Board of Berwind  from 2012 through 2017. For nearly 30 years, Cartmell has served in a variety of roles on the Board of Trustees at the Please Touch Museum and is currently an Emeritus Trustee. 

"With her extensive expertise in the hospitality industry and meaningful dedication to Philadelphia-area nonprofits in retirement, Liza will add valuable insight to our Board,” said Jane G. Pepper, Longwood Gardens Board of Trustees Chair.  
Cartmell is a 1979 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wellesley College where she majored in Economics and completed her academic career at Columbia with an MBA in Finance in 1982.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.