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 Director of Operations 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.
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.
Laura Schnitzlein Director of Development development@asheville botanicalgarden.org
about Laura
Laura Schnitzlein joined Asheville Botanical Garden as our first Director of Development in 2024. She is well acquainted with conservation initiatives in North Carolina, having worked in development management for the National Audubon Society and The American Chestnut Foundation in the state. A graduate of UNC Wilmington, Laura also earned an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Business Administration and Management from Duke University. A long-time resident of Asheville, in her free time you can find Laura romping through the Southern Appalachian forests in search of birds and native wildflowers, participating in the local art scene, or relaxing with a good book.
Roots Marshall Horticulture Assistant
about Roots
Roots Marshall (he/she) is the Horticulture Assistant 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 and then as Horticulture Assistant. Roots’ favorite part of working at the Asheville Botanical Garden is giving tours and interacting with visitors.
Michael O’Cain Horticulture Assistant
about Michael
Michael O’Cain grew up in northeastern Florida, spending summer vacations visiting his performing arts family in Western North Carolina. Falling in love with the mountains and their temperate cycles, he relocated to the area after high school, studying biology at Asheville—Buncombe Technical Community College and botany at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Guided by a love of the natural world, most of his experience has centered around rare plant surveys, exotic invasive plant removal, domestic and woodland gardening, as well as the horticulture of Southern Appalachian plants, medicinal herbs, and food crops.
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.
