STAFF

Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and community that is free of all forms of discrimination. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Botanical Garden of the Piedmont brings people of all ages and backgrounds together as a community to celebrate and nurture our native flora and fauna. The organization embraces inclusion by inviting everyone to participate in the Garden whether they be visitors, supporters, volunteers, or staff, to further our goal of being a place that promotes human and environmental well-being. In nature and in society, diversity matters—we welcome and celebrate it! For more information, visit https://piedmontgarden.org.

JOB OPENING

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

We want the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont to be for everyone. We want it to be a place of healing, contemplation, and joy, set in an urban, magical, park-like atmosphere. Join our small but mighty team as Director of Advancement. Together, we are creating a place for beauty, inspiration, education, research, events, leisure, activity, and tourism.         

The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, among cherished historic landscapes and home to one of the nation’s great universities. It offers proximity to major cities, beaches, and mountains, and excellent restaurants, vineyards, and celebrated intellectual and cultural life.

What you bring to the organization:         

Philanthropy

  • Experienced in philanthropy best practices
  • Experienced in creating compelling messaging to convey the beauty and importance of the garden and what it will mean to those who visit
  • Experience and genuine enjoyment in relationship-building with major donors and partners
  • A great track record with a successful capital campaign           

Marketing

  • Ability to develop and execute a marketing plan
  • Ability to create compelling content
  • Ability to engage audiences through social media and other marketing channels

Managerial   

  • Experienced in guiding, inspiring, and overseeing the development staff responsible for the annual fund campaign, membership list, and marketing events
  • Experienced in overseeing the staff responsible for the gift acknowledgment process

Your areas of knowledge and expertise:

  • Five years or more of fundraising or nonprofit experience
  • Some successful experience with marketing and public relations
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Proficiency with donor database software

We offer a competitive salary of $90,000 +, depending on your experience. Please take the time to look at our website and learn about us and our growth plans. Contact meredith@bryanandjordan.com  to discuss this opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary.

Summer Intern

Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is seeking a summer intern to assist with literacy programs for children ages 5 through 8.   Each program has a central theme and activities which includes a book and associated songs and/or crafts.  We can also use flash cards to help children learn words and sounds. The intern will be responsible for helping to select themes and research books and craft ideas while focusing on fun, age-appropriate learning experiences and helping children to connect with the natural world.

For more information contact Jill Trischman-Marks at info@piedmontgarden.org

Jill Trischman-Marks

Jill Trischman-Marks

Executive Director

Jill is a landscape architect with almost 30 years of experience in the Central Virginia area. After several years on the Garden’s Board of Directors, Jill retired her private practice and became the Executive Director and chief cheerleader for the Botanical Garden. She is actively working to make the Garden site more welcoming and accessible now and inviting public input into the features and programming of the future Garden to ensure it is the best it can be to serve the entire community.

Jill holds a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia. Projects she has worked on include the five original gardens at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, the Thomas Jefferson Parkway in Charlottesville, and the Poplar Forest entrance road and trails in Forest Virginia.

Contact Jill

Whitney Zhang

Whitney Zhang

Executive Assistant

Whitney grew up in the Midwest tending potted plant gardens in the summer, but exploring the woods behind her house in all seasons. She loves wildlife, their natural habitats, and constant learning, including taking a found skull from the woods to her local zoo to learn its origin at seven years old (a red fox). A nonprofit professional in public libraries since 2015, Whitney worked in the Bay area before moving to Charlottesville, where she promptly fell in love with the local environment, community, and wildlife. Whitney once again lives among the trees and affectionately watches over her neighborhood’s band of “hoofigans” (deer.) Whitney began work at the Botanical Garden in late 2021 and enjoys bringing her experience in education, research, and outreach to the organization.

Contact Whitney

Bruce Gatling-Austin

Bruce Gatling-Austin

Educational Coordinator

Bruce is a former classroom teacher with a special affinity for fostering connections. In his work at the Ivy Creek Foundation and the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Bruce created and led programs to connect children to nature.  At Ivy Creek, he established training programs to educate volunteer guides to continue these interactive programs. Bruce’s interest in discovering more ways to connect with visitors inspired him to become a Certified Interpretive Guide and Trainer for the National Association of Interpretation as well as a Toastmaster.  Bruce’s innate passion for learning and the environment makes him a natural connector of young minds and the wonders that nature has to offer.

 

Contact Bruce

Jay Jackson

Jay Jackson

Interim Director of Advancement

Jay is a native Virginian and an Albemarle County resident since 1987. He was a classroom music teacher and choral director in his first career, then transitioned to development in 2000. He spent 12 years at the University of Virginia, 2 years at James Madison University, and finished his career after 6 years at Washington & Lee. He retired in 2020 and comes out of retirement to serve the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont on an interim basis.

Jay has a Bachelor of Music Education from James Madison University and a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. He spends his spare time hiking, bicycling, reading, and volunteering as a classical music host on WTJU.

 

Contact Jay