The American Public Gardens Association (APGA) announced today the appointment of Michelle Provaznik as its new CEO. She will begin her post on November 1, 2022.
Provaznik joins the Association as an experienced senior leader with more than 20 years of diverse business experience and proven successes in strategic and master planning, revenue optimization, programmatic expansion, community engagement, and capacity building through fundraising and advancement activities.
“It is an honor to be named the next CEO of the American Public Gardens Association,” Provaznik said. “I look forward to serving our more than 600 member gardens and their staff through professional development programs that educate and inspire; collaborating with the dedicated staff and board of directors to grow and expand the Association’s vision; and advocating for public gardens and the public horticulture industry by promoting our collective impact around the issues of community health and wellness, food security, biodiversity, and climate change. Continuing the focus on the Association’s work on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility will be a priority through the IDEA Center for Public Gardens. I am incredibly excited to make a difference in an industry that has given me so much through the years.”
Since 2008, Provaznik served as the executive director of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado where she led the construction of new gardens, grew attendance, created new programs, and meaningful partnerships resulting in overall growth in both revenue and mission impact. Prior to her appointment at the Gardens on Spring Creek, she ran her own successful horticulture maintenance company, The Garden Tender, beautifying commercial and residential spaces throughout Fort Collins and the surrounding area.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Provaznik as our next leader of the Association,” said MaryLynn Mack, Association Board President. “She has the passion, leadership skills, and fortitude to take us through what we believe will be our most exciting chapter of growth yet.”
