San Diego Botanic Garden
Jessica Monahan is an experienced professional in engagement, event management, and program development within the nonprofit sector. Currently serving as the Director of Engagement & Member Services at the San Diego Botanic Garden, Jessica focuses on enhancing the guest experience in education, guest service, and membership. As the owner of Outboxed Solutions, Jessica provides tailored event and meeting support, ensuring seamless program execution. Previous roles include directing event management for Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden through CULTURE CREATIVE LIMITED, managing relief grants for the California Association of Museums, and holding various positions at Lincoln Park Zoo, where significant operational responsibilities and contributions to budget management and grant acquisition were demonstrated. Jessica holds a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Established in 1970, San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) is a 37-acre urban oasis located in the city of Encinitas, in north San Diego County. We garden to create, share and apply plant wisdom in our world. The Garden’s four miles of trails display more than 5,000 plant species and varieties, including 300 plants for which SDBG is the only garden maintaining a population. SDBG has 15 gardens that represent different regions of the world, 12 demonstration gardens, and the largest public bamboo collection in North America. SDBG has three children’s gardens, including its flagship, one-acre Hamilton Children’s Garden, the largest kids’ garden on the west coast. The Garden works in botany, conservation horticulture, and applied plant sciences to address our biggest local and global issues—from food security and climate change to land management and home gardening. SDBG collaborates with local academics, companies and organizations to create innovative, impactful programs and initiatives; to conserve plants and habitats for the future; and to create and share new knowledge. By expanding its scientific and conservation role to address our most pressing issues and human-plant relationships, SDBG is quickly becoming a model 21st century public plant science institution.