Board & Leadership

Board of Directors

Officers Chair Randi Coopersmith Vice Chair Dave Claycomb Treasurer Alana Asmussen Secretary Vann Parker, PhD

Directors Jason Baltimore Bill Burton John DeWald Mark Dowling Ruben Flores-Saaib, PhD Brendan Foote Roxana Foxx Andy Grant Janet Kister Chana Mannen Arlene Prater Adam Robinson Jim Ruecker Rebecca Dickinson Welch

President and Chief Executive Officer

Adam Schwerner

Adam Schwerner brings more than 30 years of experience in horticulture, landscape design, operations, guest experience, and creative placemaking to his role as President & CEO of San Diego Botanic Garden. Adam previously served as Director of Horticulture and Resort Enhancement at the Disneyland Resort, where he oversaw horticulture, landscape, facilities, and visual storytelling across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney, while also providing oversight of horticulture and holiday overlays at the Resort’s hotels. Prior to Disney, Adam held leadership positions with the Chicago Park District, where he advanced urban forestry, natural resource management, and public park programming. 

An accomplished artist, Adam has created a number of site-specific art installations that integrate nature, storytelling, and public spaces, creating immersive experiences that inspire curiosity and connection. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to designing meaningful outdoor environments that celebrate the intersection of horticulture, art, and community.

As President & CEO, Adam brings a collaborative leadership style and a bold vision for expanding the Garden’s impact through exceptional horticulture, conservation, education, artistic expression, and visitor engagement. Adam holds a Master of Business Administration from Chapman University and a Bachelor of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Rutgers University.

Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer

Tomoko Kuta

Tomoko Kuta joined the Garden in 2021, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. In her role as Chief Advancement & Engagement Officer, she focuses on fundraising to support the Garden’s core operations and programs, including  world-class horticulture, guest services, facilities management, and public and education programs. As a key member of the executive team, Tomoko also leads initiatives that strengthen financial sustainability and deepen community engagement. She oversees membership and philanthropy efforts, helping position SDBG for long-term success. With an established background as a visual and performing arts curator, she is known for blending the beauty and science of horticulture with innovative business strategies. She is passionate about collaboration and works closely with the Garden’s talented team to advance its mission and build financial resilience. Tomoko holds a BS from Cornell University and an MA from the University of Chicago. An active leader in the nonprofit community, she has served as Board President of the California Association of Museums. Tomoko, along with her family, regularly volunteers for various San Diego organizations.

Chief Administration & Culture Officer

Jill Gardner

Jill Gardner grew up overseas, living in seven countries before coming back to the states for college. She then worked for the Department of Defense and Department of State as an overseas security specialist and investigator. When Jill moved to San Diego, she entered into the Human Resources field taking advantage of her multi-cultural experiences and investigative background. She came to San Diego Botanic Garden in 2016 to create a cohesive Volunteer Program. After two years, she was given the opportunity to expand into also creating an HR Department, offering focused attention on staff needs and development. Jill continues to value her role at the Garden with great respect for the staff and volunteers for whom she is fortunate to offer support.

Chief Science Officer

Todd Michael, PhD

Todd Michael is a plant biologist working at the intersection of genomics, conservation, and climate solutions. As Chief Science Officer at San Diego Botanic Garden, he leads a rapidly growing research program focused on native plant conservation, sustainable agriculture, and medicinal plant discovery, using living collections as a platform for innovation. By integrating cutting-edge genomics with the Garden’s collections, Todd has helped position the institution as a living laboratory for discovery and collaborative research connecting scientists, industry, and community knowledge holders to address challenges in biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience. He also serves as a Research Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, contributing to the Harnessing Plants Initiative, which explores how plants can help address climate change through carbon capture and resilient crop development. With more than 20 years of experience spanning basic science and applied conservation, Todd is driven by the belief that plants hold untapped potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. He earned his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Dartmouth College and a BA in Biology from the University of Virginia.