Asheville Botanical Garden is a community supported non-profit organization with a small staff of five, fourteen board members, over 80 volunteers and about 850 members.
Staff
Kaita Collier Executive Director office@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Kaita
Kaita Collier holds degrees in Environmental Science and Forestry from Warren Wilson College, and in Horticulture from NC State University. Over the past 25 years, she has lived and worked in both North and South Carolina, gaining extensive experience in horticulture, sustainable farming, forest management, invasive species control, and environmental education. Kaita joined the Asheville Botanical Garden in 2017, where she finds fulfillment in managing the organization, supporting its mission, and working alongside a dedicated community. Outside of work, Kaita spends her time raising kids, visiting with friends and family, reading, growing vegetables, cooking and sitting quietly on her front porch.
Jamie Santamour Director of Development development@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Jamie
Jamie Santamour is a seasoned fundraiser who has worked with environmental and performing arts non-profits for more than 15 years. She has a passion for the Garden’s mission and hopes to connect donors and members with their love of native plants to help the Garden thrive. Jamie earned a B.F.A. in Studio Art and a B.A. in Art History from the University of Rhode Island. She worked for Carnegie Hall for a decade, successfully building their membership and resources. She comes to us from The North Carolina Arboretum, where she served as Membership Manager since 2020. When she’s not working, Jamie enjoys hiking, quilting, caring for her many houseplants, taking photographs, and the company of her little cat, Daisy Mae.
Sarah Coury Director of Horticulture garden@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Sarah
Sarah Coury grew up gardening and exploring nature, and pursued an education in Natural Resources Management. Over the past 20 years, she has gained varied professional experience in wildlife field biology and endangered species conservation, natural lands management and restoration, environmental outreach and education, and both formal and ecological gardening. Sarah currently co-owns a small plant nursery, Saturnia Farm, and has been managing the landscape at Asheville Botanical Garden since January 2023. When not at work, Sarah has all kinds of fun losing herself in the natural world, playing around with photography, traveling, being a parent, growing flowers, reading novels, and learning new things.
Kate Wheeler Office Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator admin@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Kate
Kate Wheeler (they/them) joined the Garden as Office Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator on February 16. A long-time WNC resident, they earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies, with a Sustainable Agriculture Concentration from Warren Wilson College. Kate gained extensive management experience as co-Director and Food Programming Manager of the Southside Community Farms well as Executive Director for the East Asheville Tailgate Market. Their unique education and work experiences have fostered a deep connection and care for how community, food systems, and green space interconnect. We are delighted to welcome Kate to the Garden team!
Roots Marshall (he/she) is the Horticulturalist at the ABG. He’s been an avid gardener since childhood, but fell in love with Southern Appalachian native plants while getting his degree in ecology from UNCA. After a few years farming and gardening professionally he joined the ABG first as an intern, then as Horticulture Assistant, and finally as Horticulturalist. Roots’ favorite part of working at the Asheville Botanical Garden is giving tours and interacting with visitors.
Jason Kern Americorps Service Member jason@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Jason
Jason is serving with Americorps Project Conserve as the Native Plants Garden Assistant at the Asheville Botanical Garden.The natural world has been a passion of his for quite some time, but he became passionate about native plants specifically while obtaining a bachelor’s of science in Conservation Biology at Warren Wilson College. He spent three years of his time working on the greenhouse crew and is excited for the opportunity to continue working alongside plants. When he’s not in the gardens, he enjoys playing music, hiking, and seeing live music.
Board Members
From Left to Right – Gwen Wisler, Diane Puckett (President), Matt Sprouse (Vice President), Bernard Arghiere (Treasurer), Collin Perry, Steve Norman, Kristy Ferrin, Elaine Smyth, Deborah Breck (Secretary), Suzanne Wodek, Phyllis Stiles & Cherie Morris. Not pictured, Bill Jones & Gary Kauffman.
