Meet Our New Executive Director, Lynne Nemeth

Meet Our New Executive Director, Lynne Nemeth!

"We all share a great love for BTA and its mission, and it will be the basis for our work together. "

Lynne Nemeth was appointed Executive Director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum in May of 2019. Since 2013, she has served as Executive Director of The Arboretum at Flagstaff, and prior to moving to Arizona in 2006, she served as Executive Director of the Howard County Conservancy, a land trust and environmental education center in Maryland. She has an extensive background as a nonprofit administrator, and has worked for environmental, health, human services, and arts organizations. She holds an M.M. in Music Performance, and an M.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Endangered Species Policy.

Her work has included surveying for endangered plant species in Arizona, conference presentations for both the American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International on climate change education, and development of the Lawn Rebate Program for the City of Flagstaff.

She has researched and written special reports about philanthropy and presented papers about gray wolf (Canis lupus) conservation at national and international conferences. Since 2016, she has been a columnist for the Arizona Daily Sun, writing about nature, gardening, and wildlife.

My name is Dr. Bobbi Lancaster and I’m a BTA volunteer and a director. Lynne Nemeth is our brand new Executive Director and she’ll be starting July 1, 2019. I’ve had the pleasure of taking her on a general tour and ever since, I’ve been asked the same question repeatedly: what’s she really like? My response always includes the fact that she’s really nice; is a certified venomous snake handler; has a magnificent voice and performs with choral groups; and my wife thinks she looks like a CEO. After discussions with senior staff, it was decided to introduce her by way of a brief interview.

Bobbi: “Hello Lynne. Thanks for agreeing to answer a few questions for our membership newsletter. Currently you are the Director of the Flagstaff Arboretum. How did you become involved in the management of botanical gardens?” Lynne: “Years ago, when I lived in Maryland, I was hired as a consultant for a 262-acre conservancy and education center. Since I’ve always been a naturalist at heart, this job rekindled my love for the outdoors. When my husband and I moved to Flagstaff, the very first thing I did was sign up for the docent program at the Flagstaff Arboretum. The ecology of northern Arizona fascinated me. After my first day, I still remember driving home and thinking that I want to work there—I was hooked. Before long, I was on their Board and then, when ‘The Arb’ experienced management issues, I was asked to step in as Executive Director. Working at an arboretum is the perfect job for me because I’m interacting with nature and plants; surrounded by beautiful environments and I am putting my non-profit management skills to work too. I feel so blessed.”

Bobbi: “Was working with nature your childhood dream, or did you have some other plans?” Lynne: “I was going to be many things when I was a child— biologist; ballerina; pianist; primatologist. I actually turned down a scholarship to study primatology, at the University of Pennsylvania and went to music school instead—I was going to be an opera singer. Eventually, I ended up in arts management and then learned about non-profits. However, that old love affair with nature kept scratching at my door; I decided to get a Master’s degree in environmental studies. I was closing in on my truth.”

Bobbi: “What drew you to Boyce Thompson Arboretum?” Lynne: “That’s easy. The place is breathtakingly gorgeous, complete with an extinct volcano and ancient lava flows along with a riparian area in the middle of the Sonoran desert. The Arboretum is like stumbling on a long lost treasure.”

Bobbi: “Obviously you are quite taken by the beauty of the garden. Now that you are getting more acquainted, is there something else that has caught your attention?” Lynne: “I am impressed with the quality of the BTA staff and its volunteers. Everyone I have spoken with is in love with the place. They are, without a doubt, the greatest asset of the park.”

Bobbi: “Changing topics, I’m sure our readers would love to know how you spend your free time.”

Lynne: “Surprise! I love to garden, and I’m an avid reader— both fiction and non-fiction. I’m also a trained wildlife tracker and when I hike, I’m always looking for scat and tracks.”

Bobbi: “I can’t say I have a big interest in scat. However, I am curious as to what accomplishment you are most proud of.”

Lynne: “There are a couple of things. I’m the first woman in my family to go to college. My father is a first-generation American from Hungary; my mother is second-generation from Poland. My family didn’t have a lot of money and I grew up in a community that included coal miners and steel workers; they were from Eastern Europe too. My parents wanted me to have more opportunities and they were adamant about the importance of an education. There was never any question—I was going to college— and they were so pleased.

The other thing I’m really proud of occurred several years ago, when I served as the capital campaign manager for a new homeless shelter in Howard County, Maryland. The project was incredibly controversial and the public discourse became ugly. I persevered and helped raise $5.5 million and the shelter opened in 2007. This was one of the great moments of my life.”

Bobbi: “You’ve told me about stepping in when there were management concerns at the Flagstaff Arboretum, and how you persevered in trying circumstances during the fundraising time of your career. Can you share with me a general strategy you employ to navigate these challenges?”

Lynne: “I have found the most important thing to do initially is to listen and learn. And keep listening and learning. For example, there are personnel who’ve been at BTA for decades. They know every rock, and plant and bird. I have to rely on their history and knowledge. This requires that I meet with them—one on one—and the Board members too. Through this process, mutual respect is built and the feeling of being part of a team emerges. Team is an overused word, but teamwork is necessary to move any nonprofit forward. The other ingredient is love. We all share a great love for BTA and its mission, and it will be the basis for our work together.”

Bobbi: “These are powerful statements, Lynne. And now it’s time to wrap up the interview. Before I let you go, please take out your crystal ball and tell me what the Arboretum will look like in ten years, under your leadership.”

Lynne: “It will be even more gorgeous. Once the car is parked, a guest will walk toward the entrance and be stunned by the Sonoran Desert vegetation, in all its diversity. The Visitor Center, with its sculptures and wall art, will remain the beautiful gateway to the park where they can first glimpse the beginning of the main trail. Mystery and adventure will beckon as they proceed around bend after bend of old and new trails, while observing the museum of living plants posing in front of them. They will be in awe. The historic buildings, signage, benches and ramadas will look a little shinier, because of the loving care that the BTA staff has provided. Every tree, shrub and flower will appear equally loved too. That’s what the future is going to look like.”

Bobbi: “Thank you very much, Lynne. After reading this interview, I think our members will feel like they know you. We can’t wait for your official start day to arrive.”