What do you do at The Trustees? What’s your role?

My role is VP of Business Operations. I have the privilege of leading our teams responsible for public programs and private events, education and camp, retail and other aspects of our operations that support our statewide efforts like business analytics.

You’re an avid gardener. Where do you garden?

I live and garden in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston. During COVID times, I started digging up my front lawn and transitioning it from grass to pollinator friendly plants. Before long, I turned about 500 square feet into an oasis of raised bed veggies, native plants, hydrangeas and dahlias.

What is your favorite plant in your garden?

I am a nut about dahlias. I lived in San Francisco for a long time and always loved the dahlia gardens in Golden Gate Park. I created my own version and have about 60 dahlia plants.

Where do you find inspiration for your garden? Where do you source your plants?

I walk my dogs a lot and am always looking at neighbors’ gardens. There are a lot of gardeners in Rozzie and I get a lot of my ideas from my walks and chatting with other gardeners. I also get inspiration from all of the awesome native plants I find at the Trustees City Natives nursery in Mattapan and the expansive knowledge of our staff there! If it is at City Natives, I know it’s going to be a star of the garden.

Why do you think it is important to promote gardening in urban areas?

It’s so awesome to know that I can help to support biodiversity and help sustain healthy plant and animal communities right in my own little patch of property.

What are you excited for as you keep moving through your gardening journey?

I love gardening for its ‘trial and error’ nature. If I try something and it doesn’t work or I don’t love it, it’s no big deal to just take it out and plant something else. I have a few “experiments” I am looking forward to replacing next season—I’m looking at you tiger grass!