11/20/2025
New leadership for Denver Botanic Gardens.
We are thrilled to announce that after an intensive six-month executive search, our Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Donna McGinnis as the next CEO, effective February 2, 2026. McGinnis joins the Gardens from Naples Botanical Garden in Florida, where she served as CEO since 2017. She will succeed Brian Vogt, the Gardens’ CEO of 18 years who passed away in March 2025. Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd, the Gardens’ Director of Marketing and Social Responsibility, served as Interim CEO during the search.
“Denver Botanic Gardens has a remarkable reputation and impact, not just in Colorado, but across North America’s public garden sector,” says McGinnis. “I had the pleasure of working with Brian Vogt on some national industry initiatives and I have been inspired by the inclusive approach to people, plants, education and conservation that flourished under his leadership. I am honored to be trusted to lead the Gardens in its next chapter.”
Under McGinnis' leadership, Naples Botanical Garden more than doubled its budget, visitation, membership and staff. She also successfully led strategic planning and fundraising at Missouri Botanical Garden and Missouri History Museum. She led a $100+ million capital campaign at Missouri Botanical Garden and a recent $20 million campaign for a new horticulture facility at Naples.