The Dr. William Huizingh Executive Director

Ken Schutz has held executive leadership positions at cultural institutions for more than 35 years, and he has been at the helm of the Desert Botanical Garden since 2001. During his tenure there, he has managed the construction of $35 million in new exhibits and facilities, doubled local attendance, initiated dynamic new education and research projects and raised more than $15 million in gifts and pledges for the Garden’s endowment.

When Ken first interviewed to be the Garden’s Executive Director in 2001, the search committee described his ultimate task as making sure the Garden no longer remained Phoenix’s “best-kept secret.” He and the Garden’s leadership team have met that challenge head-on, and Ken describes his greatest professional satisfaction as the regional and national prominence the Garden has achieved for its excellence in desert plant conservation and exhibition.

On a national level, Ken was appointed to the board of the Institute for Museum and Library Services by President Obama in 2016, and will complete his 5-year term in 2021. He served as an accreditation commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums from 2015 to 2019, and as President of the American Public Gardens Association from 2013 to 2015. Ken was selected as a Piper Fellow by the Virginia G. Piper Trust in 2003. Prior to moving to Phoenix, Ken held the position of Executive Director of the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and before that he was Director of Marketing and development for the Baltimore Zoo. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.S. degree from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from Bucknell University.

Chief Financial & Operating Officer

Margie Burke joined the Garden as Chief Financial & Operating Officer in March 2019 with over 30 years of financial management experience in both the public and private sectors. Burke’s most recent position as CFO at Hospice of the Valley makes her uniquely qualified to join the Garden’s leadership team. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and operations of the Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities Operations teams.

Burke is an active member of Soroptimist International of Phoenix and an officer on the Golden West Region Board. She is also involved with Hushabye Nursery, a local not for profit and is currently serving as Treasurer. Burke is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arizona State Society of CPAs and Financial Executives International. Burke received her Masters of Business Administration from University of Phoenix and Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University.

Chief Experience Officer

Chief Development Officer

Mike Remedi has more than 20 years of fundraising and advancement experience. Having grown-up in Phoenix, Mike has dedicated his career to strengthening organizations for Arizona. In January 2022, the Garden brought Mike on board as its first Chief Development Officer. In this new role, he is building a new philanthropic strategy for the Garden, with a special focus on growing the contributed revenue from annual, major and planned giving donors.

Previously, Mike held various leadership roles at Arizona State University. During his 17-year tenure at ASU, Mike raised more than $75M for capital campaigns to support students, faculty and facilities. Consistent with his commitment to public service, Mike has served on several community boards and is excited to find new ways to represent the Garden to all Arizonans.

Senior Director of Education

Andrew Cipriano joined Desert Botanical Garden as the Director of Education in July 2022.  With a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah, and a masters in Multidisciplinary Studies from SUNY Buffalo State College of New York, he brings with him many years of experience as an educator and school administrator in both the United States and South America.

Most recently, Andrew has served for eight years as administrator of a private elementary school in central Phoenix.  Prior to that, he worked for almost a decade as a teacher, administrator and curriculum coordinator at an American International School in Caracas, Venezuela. He describes himself as a third-generation gardener and lifelong outdoorsman, who has spent many hours exploring our Garden trails along with his family. Andrew is thrilled to combine his passion for education with his love of the outdoors and gardening in his new role at Desert Botanical Garden.

Senior Director of Social Responsibility & Inclusion

Kevina Devereaux joined the Garden in 2019 in the Human Resources department as the Manager of Workforce Development & Diversity. In 2021, she was promoted to Senior Director of Social Responsibility & Inclusion. She oversees the Garden’s inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) strategy, coordinates organizational efforts to reach I.D.E.A. goals, and strengthens community relationships to cultivate a fully inclusive organization representing the community. She also manages the Garden’s partnership at Spaces of Opportunity, a 19-acre incubator farm, family gardens, and on-site farmers market in South Phoenix that helps families have affordable access to healthy food and active living.

In continuing her passion with working with public gardens, Kevina also serves on the I.D.E.A. and Nomination Committees for American Public Gardens Association (APGA).

She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University.

Senior Director of Information Technology

Senior Director of Exhibits

Senior Director of Human Resources

Senior Director of Marketing Communications

Senior Director of Horticulture

Director of Philanthropy, Individual Giving 

Kelsey Wolf-Donnay joined the Garden in 2014 and became Senior Director of Philanthropy, Individual Giving in 2022 after serving as a co-interim senior director for the Membership & Philanthropy team. She has fostered deep relationships with members, donors, volunteers, and trustees during her tenure to further the Garden’s mission.

She and her team focus on cultivating and stewarding donors through various programs such as the annual fund and the Garden Fund, Emerging Leaders and Patrons Circle philanthropic memberships. In addition, her team plan Fund the Farm and Conservation Celebration annual fundraisers.

Kelsey holds a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from Arizona State University. In 2021, she became a Certified Fund Raising Executive. She was recently appointed to the board of directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Arizona Chapter.