Young Friends of the Garden

The Young Friends of the Garden is a group of diverse young professionals with an interest in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s work and mission. Led by an active volunteer board, the Young Friends of the Garden organize fundraising and audience development events throughout the year. Young Friends events include Trivia Night, Garden Gallop, and Fest-of-Ale.

Sign up for the Young Friends email list.

Young Friends Council
The Young Friends Council is a board of young-professional leadership volunteers who serve as ambassadors for the Garden within the community. 

Young Friends Council Officers

Council Chair
Eryn Bassett

Council Co-Chair
Elizabeth Wells

Past Chair
Meghan Santen

Development Co-Chairs
Doug Gaehle and Susan Meyer

Young Friends Council Members

Ashley Adams Austin Lewis
Erica Agnew Tina Liu
Jack Arnold Anne Luckey
Erica Ballard Ford Manion
Kate Bennett Andy Martin
Kim Bousquet Jennie Meresak
Jessy Chisholm Jennifer Merritt
Erin Davis Jessica Nelson
Kat Dockery Jessica Neumeyer
Libby Garner Kevin O'Shaughnessy
Jesse Gray Emma Prince
Hillary Gredell Gabi Randall
Emily Holtzman Brittany Root
Ashley Hoolihan Brenna Slavens
Matthew Hutchinson Brinkley Smith
Rich Jerelds Arathi Srikanta
Erin Jones Kate Tichelkamp
Mary Kate Keenoy Mary Tiernan
Jessica King Courtney Vomund
Katie Knapp Littlefield  

 

Join the Young Friends Council

A call for Council members is made every spring through the Young Friends email list. Council members are selected through a résumé submission process by a nominating committee consisting of current Council members and Garden staff.

To apply, please send your résumé and cover letter to young_friends@mobot.org by Friday, April 14, 2023.  New members will be selected in May 2023.

Council members are expected to support the program by donating their time, participating in decision-making, and providing financial commitments. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Maintaining an active Garden membership
  • Attending monthly Council meetings and programs (6 Council meetings per year on Tuesday evenings)
  • Supporting Young Friends events through volunteering, financial support, and attending the events (3 Young Friends events per year)
  • Volunteering at Garden events

Council members are expected to serve as ambassadors for the Garden by promoting the institution and its mission to their professional and social networks. 

Questions? Email young_friends@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5173.

Making an Impact: Fundraising Success

Since 2019, the Young Friends fundraising efforts have supported the Garden's sustainability programs, raising more than $70,000 annually.