Sophia Siskel Named New President of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Earlier today, William J. Hagenah, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Botanic Garden, announced that Sophia Siskel, a long time Chicago native, former Vice President of Visitor Operations of the Chicago Botanic Garden and Vice President of Exhibitions and Educations at Chicago's Field Museum, has been appointed President and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden. She will be succeeding Barbara Whitney Carr, who is retiring this September in order to spend more time with her family.

After Barbara Carr, the current President and chief executive officer of the Chicago Botanic Garden, announced her retirement this past October, the Botanic Garden has been doing an extensive search for their new president. They called in many outside appointments, reportedly including Sir Peter Crane, former president of the Kew Botanic Garden in London and current Professor at the University of Chicago. In the end, however, the Board of Directors chose to promote from within, choosing the current Vice President of Visitor Services to succeed Carr, who has directed the Chicago Botanic Garden for the past 12 years.

The change in leadership will take place slowly, as Carr still has four months before Siskel takes over, and they will be working closely to ensure that the change in leadership is smooth.

"During the past four months, the Garden has conducted an international search that included some of the most talented people in the botanical garden and museum fields," stated Hagenah at a press conference earlier this morning. "Sophia has been selected to lead the Chicago Botanic Garden because of her extensive experience in museum management. Her leadership will advance the Garden's mission as a public display garden and strengthen our role as a world leader in plant conservation, education and horticulture."