Amanda Hannah brings over 25 years of experience in horticulture and public garden leadership to her role as Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Her career began with hands-on work as a gardener, where she developed a deep connection to plants and the transformative power of landscapes. Before earning her degree in Landscape Design and Construction with a concentration in Public Horticulture from the University of Tennessee, Amanda had already gained extensive experience in horticulture and gardening.
In Seattle, Amanda advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, starting as a Gardener at the Seattle Center and later serving as Senior Gardener at the Washington Park Arboretum. There, she led horticultural and grounds teams, managed dynamic landscapes, and oversaw large-scale landscape projects with care and expertise. She later served as a Strategic Advisor with the City of Seattle, where she worked on complex partnerships, contracts, and budgets, further honing her skills in organizational leadership and collaboration.
A graduate of the prestigious Longwood Fellows Program for Leadership in Public Horticulture, Amanda is passionate about the role of gardens in connecting people to plants, the natural world, and each other. After relocating from Seattle, she is excited to bring her collaborative leadership style to the Cleveland Botanical Garden, where she will play a critical role in shaping the garden’s future and leading its transformation. She looks forward to working closely with the horticulture team and the broader organization to enhance the garden’s beauty and relevance and to strengthen its role in the community.
“I am honored to join Holden Forests & Gardens as Director of Botanical Garden Horticulture at Cleveland Botanical Garden at such a pivotal time in its history. As the nation’s first civic garden, this institution has long been a place of beauty, innovation, and connection. We now have the opportunity to reimagine what that legacy means for the garden today and into the future. I look forward to working with the talented horticulture team to elevate our existing gardens while embarking on an exciting period of renovation, renewal, and reimagination. After many years in Seattle, I’m eager to immerse myself in Cleveland’s vibrant communities and contribute to the next chapter of this incredible institution.”- Amanda Hannah
“We are absolutely thrilled that Amanda has joined us at the Cleveland Botanical Garden,” President and CEO Ed Moydell said. “She is the ideal leader to advance our horticulture efforts as we approach our 100-year anniversary and consider the role and community impact of a modern urban botanical garden. Her expertise and experience in horticulture and empowering leadership style will help the Garden reach new heights.”
