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New DirectionsMeet Sue Ann Schiff, Interim Executive Director
Sue Ann Levin Schiff has joined San Francisco Botanical Garden Society as its Interim Executive Director, replacing former Executive Director Michael McKechnie who departed in April to pursue public garden consulting. Having been a member of the Bay Area community since her days as a graduate and law student at UC Berkeley, Sue Ann has held executive management positions with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, Legal Community Against Violence, the Law School at UC Berkeley and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She is a creative leader who has managed significant organizational change while advancing institutional goals. Sue Ann brings a full range of nonprofit, business, legal and academic experience to her new role and is excited about guiding the Society through this transition period. "Gardens have been an important part of my life since my childhood growing up in the Midwest," Ms. Schiff said. "I never dreamed that I would be able to combine my leadership and management experience with my love of plants, trees and gardens. It truly is an honor to serve the Society at this important time." Asked about her impressions of the Botanical Garden, she cites a visit she made here prior to accepting her new role. "There is magic in this place," she said, quoting a favorite family expression. Board of Trustees Chair Don Baldocchi stated how pleased the Board was to find someone with Ms. Schiff's extraordinary credentials to continue strong leadership during the search for a permanent successor. Among Ms. Schiff's immediate responsibilities will be to advance a new Long Range Strategic Planning process currently underway and led by a pro bono team of Harvard Business School Community Partner volunteers, and to implement the Botanical Garden's admissions program. A search committee comprised of members of the Society's Board of Trustees and other community stakeholders will undertake a nationwide search for a new Executive Director.
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