Friends of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
The members of our Friends board are our biggest promoters. As Garden ambassadors Friends contribute time, talent, experience and financial resources to help us flourish.
The Friends started as the Garden’s original 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1969. They raised money and offered programming while the Garden was managed by the City of Des Moines (1979-2003) and Des Moines Water Works (2004-2012).
In 2011, the 501(c)(3) charter was transferred to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and a governing board was formed as the nonprofit launched a capital campaign. Friends now exist as a leadership council that provides support to the Botanical Garden through outreach efforts such as member recruitment and program support.
Kathy Bernreuter
Chairwoman
Amber Siever
Vice Chairwoman
Margaret Schultz
Secretary
Sean Carver
Immediate Past Chairman
Jane Ambrozic
Michael Augugliaro
Kim Barnett
Jacquie Brewer
Kayla Brown
Nancy Dunbar
Susan Ekstrom
Ruth Hamilton
Diane Hills
Cheryl Hood
Carly Kelty – Greenfield
Shannon Maddy
Elvin McDonald
Mary B. Oothout
Mary Riche
Diana Ronk
Janan Smith
Jill Stevenson
Jana Warren
Megan Will
Dennis Zaabel
Applications to join Friends are available in the spring; please check back for more details.
