The Young Friends Council is a group of diverse young professionals with an interest in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s work and mission. The Council supports the Garden through personal philanthropy and by organizing annual events that build awareness about the Garden's role in the community and in plant conservation around the world. Events like Trivia Night and Fest-of-Ale offer engaging ways to experience the Garden's living collections while raising critical funds to support our global mission.
Council members develop an in-depth understanding of the Garden through tours, conversations with key staff, unique access to facilities, and networking opportunities. Council members attend bimonthly evening meetings and are asked to volunteer at Young Friends and Garden events. Philanthropy is a key part of the Young Friends Council. Council members are asked to give through a personal membership and to connect the Garden to sources of corporate and in-kind support.
The Young Friends Council welcomes new members through an application process that begins each fall. Council members serve an initial two-year term and may serve two additional terms.
Making a Direct Impact
All proceeds from Young Friends events support the Garden’s Outdoor Youth Corps, an education and workforce development program that provides paid opportunities for youth ages 16 to 24 in environmental, conservation, and horticultural fields.
The 2026 Young Friends Council
Applications to join the Young Friends Council for 2026 have closed. The Garden is grateful for the overwhelming response to the application process!
Applications for the 2027 cohort will open on August 3, 2026. If you are interested in becoming part of the Young Friends leadership, please consider applying next year. We encourage you to attend Young Friends events in the meantime. You are also invited to explore the Garden's full range of volunteer opportunities.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Marvin at nmarvin@mobot.org or (314) 577-5119.
Young Friends Council Officers
Council Chair
2024–2025: Doug Gaehle
Council Co-Chair
2024–2025: Matthew Hutchinson
Young Friends Council Members
| Megan Ahlering |
Andy Martin |
| Jack Arnold |
Jennie Meresak |
| Sam Brady |
Eliza Morales |
| Jamie Brown |
Jessica Nelson |
| Katie Littlefield Castelino |
Emma Prince |
| Sandy Chesterton |
Elise Puma |
| Jessy Chisholm |
Gabi Randall |
| Terrence Cotton |
Han Sauer |
| Mary Dillon |
Glee Schmitt |
| Kat Dockery |
Alex Seay |
| Mary Foley |
Brenna Doyle Slavens |
| Thomas Fonseca |
Kate Tichelkamp |
| Claire Hofius MacDonald |
Jessica Valdes |
| Emily Hood |
Adam Vorel |
| Constance Lambdin |
|
| Tina Liu |
|
| |
|
For more information about the Young Friends Council, email young_friends@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5173.
Join the Young Friends eNews list >