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.
Sean Carver
Chairman
Kathy Bernreuter
Vice Chairwoman
Ruth Hamilton
Secretary
Jill Stevenson
Immediate Past Chairwoman
Jane Ambrozic
Michael Augugliaro
Jacquie Brewer
Kayla Brown
Susan Ekstrom
Diane Hills
Craig Lien
Mary B. Oothout
Mary Riche
Diana Ronk
Margaret Schultz
Amber Siever
Janan Smith
Megan Will
Dennis Zaabel
Applications to join Friends are available in the spring; please check back for more details.