San Antonio, TX – May 9, 2024 – The San Antonio Botanical Garden, a premier destination renowned for its dedication to conservation, education, and horticultural excellence, proudly announces the appointment of Katherine Trumble as its new CEO and President. This strategic appointment comes after Trumble’s successful tenure as Interim CEO and President, her leadership ushering in significant advancement and innovation.

Under Trumble’s stewardship, the Garden has reached several key milestones:

  • Record-Breaking Attendance and Membership: Membership hit an all-time high in April, growing more than 1,600 member households since last year, an increase of nearly 15%. Spring attendance surged, with 8,000 more visitors than the previous year, a 10% increase, reflecting a substantial increase in community engagement.
  • Strategic Master Planning: Trumble has initiated a comprehensive master planning process with the renowned landscape architecture firm Reed Hildebrand, setting a visionary course for the Garden’s development over the next decade.
  • Huntopia: Trumble led the Garden’s dedicated team through the installation and successful opening of the world-premiere exhibition Huntopia: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies by renowned artist Hunt Slonem, which garnered national attention.
  • Garden for All: The Garden launched the Shuttle Access Program to remove transportation barriers for potential visitors in partnership with local community organizations to serve their audiences. This marks the first step in a three-year goal to bring 50,000 or more people to the Garden through access initiatives, aiming to set a national model for access.
  • Title I Schools: Under Trumble’s leadership, the Garden has increased its commitment to Title I Schools, with participation in school tours from Title I Schools growing 61% in the first quarter of 2024.

Phil Miller, Board Chair of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, expressed his confidence in Trumble’s new appointment. He stated, “Having served as the Interim CEO and President, Katherine has exemplified the Garden’s core values. Her steadfast commitment to the Garden’s mission and her relentless pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly drive the future success of the Garden.”

Reflecting on her permanent appointment, Katherine Trumble shared her aspirations for the Garden’s future, “The San Antonio Botanical Garden is home to me; I am honored to continue leading such a vibrant team and guiding the Garden towards becoming a destination public garden.” Katherine Trumble said about her permanent role. “Our Garden for All initiative is a passion project for me. We are committed to making the Garden a welcoming and inclusive environment for every member of our community. Initiatives like our new Shuttle Access Program exemplify our commitment to accessibility and inclusion, aiming to make the beauty and education value of the Garden available to everyone.”

Katherine Trumble joined the San Antonio Botanical Garden in May 2020 as the Director of Development and was promoted to Interim CEO and President in November 2023. With more than 15 years of experience, Katherine has an extensive background in non-profit development and previous roles at esteemed cultural institutions. Her prior experience includes impactful positions at the McNay Art Museum, the Briscoe Western Museum, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, Alabama. She began her career as a Fellow at El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Katherine holds a B.A. in American Studies and Government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver. Katherine is a Native Texan, and she and her husband are raising their two daughters in San Antonio.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden remains dedicated to its mission of enriching lives through plants and nature, and with Katherine Trumble at its helm, it is set to flourish as a beacon of natural beauty and education.