Brooklyn, NY – July 23, 2026—The Board of Trustees of Brooklyn Botanic Garden today announces the selection of Sue Donoghue as the Garden’s next President and CEO after an extensive national search. Donoghue previously served as New York City Parks Commissioner and President of Prospect Park Alliance. An accomplished, collaborative leader with expertise across urban green infrastructure, capital projects, and community engagement, Donoghue will assume her role on September 1, 2026.
A Brooklyn resident of nearly 30 years, Donoghue most recently led the New York City Parks Department, where she managed, maintained, and set the vision for 30,000 acres of parkland across the city and led a team of 7,000 employees. Under Donoghue’s leadership, the Parks Department completed over 240 capital projects, representing over $750 million in investments in NYC’s communities, with a focus on climate resiliency and equitable, inclusive access to parks and public space for all New Yorkers.
Donoghue began her career in parks and green spaces nearly 20 years ago following earlier work in the financial sector. She first joined the New York City Parks Department in 2007 to lead “PlaNYC2030,” the Bloomberg administration’s blueprint for sustainability, and later managed initiatives including MillionTreesNYC and the Federal/City partnership for Jamaica Bay Parkland. During her eight-year tenure as President of the Prospect Park Alliance, she developed a comprehensive strategic plan and a $100 million capital and endowment campaign to restore and build capacity with a focus on underserved areas along the southern and eastern sides of the park.
Diane Steinberg, Chair of Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Board of Trustees, says, “Sue Donoghue is one of New York City’s greatest champions for urban green spaces. Throughout her distinguished career, she has been a visionary and strategic leader. I am confident that she will be a dynamic and powerful advocate for plants and horticulture, science education, and community connections as BBG’s next president. We are fortunate to have Sue join us at such an exciting and important time in BBG’s history as we launch and implement a new strategic plan for the future.”
“Leading an institution as storied, beautiful, and beloved as Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a profound honor,” says Donoghue. “For generations, BBG has served as a cherished sanctuary, welcoming and educating children and families across the borough and beyond. From my years working at the intersection of green spaces and public service, I am keenly aware of the importance of institutions such as BBG to educate, engage, and amaze visitors with the beauty of the natural world. I look forward to working with the Garden’s expert staff and the community to continue to expand on the foundations that make BBG a unique and uniquely welcoming respite and source of inspiration.”
Says Meera Joshi, President of Green-Wood and former New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations: “Sue’s deep commitment to public green spaces, her civic leadership, and her love for everything Brooklyn will propel Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s next chapter. Sue has an unparalleled track record of collaborative and decisive leadership and impressive results in park management, capital improvements, and public programs. She knows the vitality of green space, and will strengthen the important urban horticulture work of Brooklyn Botanic Garden for Brooklynites and beyond to experience and enjoy.”
“There is no better steward for our city’s green spaces than Sue Donoghue,” says New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson. “During her tenure as Commissioner of the NYC Parks Department, Sue completed hundreds of capital projects to improve our city’s parks, expanded free swimming classes for young New Yorkers, and stabilized our city’s lifeguard force to overturn a major shortage. And as President of Prospect Park Alliance, she fought for vital upgrades to ‘Brooklyn’s Backyard’ to ensure it remains a crown jewel of the borough for generations to come. She is the perfect person to help Brooklyn Botanic Garden continue expanding its world-class collection and community programming, and I look forward to working alongside her in this new role.”
Donoghue comes to BBG with a desire to continue to support communities and their connection to open space. Her personal connection to Brooklyn Botanic Garden goes back even longer than her career in parks: The Garden was a place of learning, joy, and respite as she and her husband raised children nearby in Brooklyn. She looks to build on the history and mission of the Garden and its groundbreaking educational and community programs, expanding audiences and widening perceptions of how a botanic garden can serve environmental and community needs now and in the future.
About Sue Donoghue
Sue Donoghue served as NYC Parks Commissioner from 2022 to June 2025, appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in February 2022. During her tenure, Commissioner Donoghue made equity and sustainability top priorities and oversaw over $750 million in capital improvements, with a focus on underserved neighborhoods.
As Commissioner, Donoghue launched a number of efforts to expand green job opportunities for New Yorkers, from a climber pruner apprenticeship program to a paid coastal habitat restoration training program for underserved students. In 2024, Commissioner Donoghue launched Vital Parks for All, investing in NYC’s Living Infrastructure, a $3.2B initiative to enhance equity and access and empower New Yorkers with tools to connect with their vital parks system.
Prior to her appointment, Donoghue served as President of Prospect Park Alliance from 2014 through 2022, partnering with NYC Parks to manage Prospect Park. From 2007 to 2014, she was Senior Advisor and Assistant Commissioner at NYC Parks, spearheading the agency’s work on PlaNYC, Mayor Bloomberg’s blueprint for enhancing the sustainability of New York City.
Donoghue earned a master’s in Public Administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. She is a long-time New Yorker and resides in Brooklyn, where she and her husband raised three children and avidly enjoy New York City parks and open spaces as part of their daily life.
About Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden connects people to the wonder and power of plants, sparking delight and curiosity about science, culture, and our environment to help create a greener, more sustainable city and world. Its vision is to grow a future where plants, people, and our planet flourish together.
Situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn and open year-round, the Garden is home to over 10,000 kinds of plants and more than 30 specialty gardens. Learn more at bbg.org, follow @brooklynbotanic on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and BlueSky, and join the conversation using #BrooklynBotanicGarden.
