West Palm Beach, FL – November 28, 2023: Rochelle Wolberg, Curator/Director of Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden, today announced two major additions to the nonprofit organization’s leadership team:
Marc Birch, Operations Manager
Formerly the Social Enterprise & Business Development Manager at Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Birch brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience in fundraising/development, special events, and operations. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute, in his new position at Mounts he will oversee the Garden’s operations, including the welcome center, gift shop, nursery, adult and youth programming, garden events, and special projects.
Tish Sheesley, Development Officer
A former Associate Director of Philanthropy at Bok Towers Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida, where she led the start-up of the Annual Fund program, including the creation of the successful campaign, “LOVE It? Fund It!” She also was responsible for direct mail campaigns, a biannual glossy magazine, and fundraising efforts based on wealth management data. Sheesley previously served top leadership roles of the Charlotte Arts Council in Punta Gorda, Florida; the Science & Discovery Center in Panama City, Florida; the Fort Myers Imaginarium Science Center; and the Florida Adventure Museum in Punta Gorda. She earned her Museum Studies Certification from Northwestern University in Chicago and has been accepted into the 2024 Leadership Class of West Palm Beach. At Mounts, she will direct the Garden’s development and membership efforts.
“Both Marc Birch and Tish Sheesley are talented, insightful professionals with extensive experience promoting valuable nonprofit organizations and they will be invaluable assets for Mounts Botanical Garden, as we continue to grow and develop a new strategic direction and master plan for our beautiful 20-acre oasis, located just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach,” says Wolberg.
“We are now embarking on the exciting next chapter of the Garden’s growth as we develop a new strategic plan that will serve as our roadmap to the future—where we are going in the years to come and how we will get there,” adds Rebecca Doane , long-time board member and President of Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. “We want Mounts Botanical Garden to be top of mind as one of Palm Beach County’s unique attraction as a living museum and one of the region’s true cultural gems.”
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org .
