Posted:
2/17/2026 |
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Date: February 17, 2026
Contact: Missouri Botanical Garden Public Relations Dept.
Email: cmartin@mobot.org (media use only)
Missouri Botanical Garden Announces New Executive Leadership Appointments and Strategic Internal Promotions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(ST. LOUIS) The Missouri Botanical Garden today announced a series of executive leadership hires and internal promotions that strengthen the Garden’s capacity to advance botanical science, conservation, and public engagement locally and globally.
The Garden has welcomed two new executive leaders to newly defined roles. Stephen Schenkenberg has joined the organization as Vice President of Communications and Marketing, and Lisa Hearn has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer.
Schenkenberg joins the Garden from The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where he led philanthropic communications in support of one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. With previous leadership roles, including Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Forest Park Forever, he brings deep experience in mission-driven storytelling, audience engagement, and institutional positioning that will help elevate the Garden’s visibility and impact regionally, nationally, and globally.
Hearn comes to the Garden from Signature Medical Group, where she served in a senior financial leadership role overseeing multi-site budgets, long-term financial planning, and operational strategy. Previously, Ms. Hearn served as Chief Financial Officer at Epworth Children & Family Services, where she led successful capital projects and implemented process improvements that strengthened accountability and sustainability. Her expertise in fiscal stewardship and organizational growth will support the Garden’s continued investment in science, conservation, and public engagement.
In addition, the Garden has created several new vice president positions and announced strategic internal promotions that formalize and elevate long-standing areas of excellence across the institution:
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Jordan Teisher, Vice President of Biodiversity Research
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Nathan VanderKraats, Vice President of Biodiversity Informatics and Digital Infrastructure
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Matthew Albrecht, Vice President of Conservation and Restoration
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Robbie Hart, Vice President of Plants and People
“These appointments reflect a bold and thoughtful investment in the Garden’s future,” said Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann, President of the Missouri Botanical Garden. “By expanding our leadership team and elevating exceptional internal talent, we are aligning our organizational structure with our strategic priorities—advancing biodiversity science, strengthening conservation outcomes, expanding digital infrastructure, and deepening our connection with communities.”
The newly created vice president roles formalize areas of work that have long been hallmarks of the Garden’s global leadership. They ensure sustained focus and accountability across biodiversity research, informatics, conservation, restoration, and programs dedicated to plants that support human wellbeing. Together with the appointments of a Vice President for Communications and Marketing and a Chief Financial Officer, these appointments position the Garden for long-term impact amid accelerating global biodiversity challenges.
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The mission of the Missouri Botanical Garden is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 167 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education, and horticultural display.