The Sherman Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the promotion of Scott LaFleur to Executive Director of Sherman Library & Gardens. LaFleur is the first ever Executive Director named to the 54-year old Corona del Mar cultural center.
LaFleur brings more than 25 years of business and horticulture experience to the nonprofit organization. He joined Sherman Library & Gardens in 2013 as a Gardens Director. Since joining the organization he led the effort with the trustees, staff and stakeholders to create a five-year strategic plan (currently in year two), a revised mission statement, and the organization’s first vision statement. As Sherman Library & Gardens continues to grow and position itself for future growth, Scott will oversee the creation of a site master plan and associated capital campaign to renovate the campus. “Every gardener knows that gardens are not stagnant. They are full of energy and inspiration that changes, grows and evolves over time. An organization should do the same,” said LaFleur.
“As executive director, Scott will carry out the vision of the trustees, be the spokesperson for the organization, lead the executive team and act as a liaison between stakeholders, donors, business and government leaders,” added Gary Pickett, President of the Sherman Foundation.
“While our priorities remain the same as when Arnold Haskell founded Sherman Library & Gardens in 1966, it has been refreshed to emphasize our three pillars of History, Horticulture and the Arts. I hope it inspires the community to join and support the organization,” added LaFleur.
His career includes ownership of a landscape design company, a private estate manager, botanic garden director at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods and director of horticulture at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, California. LaFleur lives in Laguna Hills with his wife Kara and their daughter Lilly. An active community member, he served twelve years on the American Public Garden Associations Board of Directors, currently serves on the Corona del Mar Business Improvement district board and recently completed the Newport Beach Foundation’s Distinguished Citizen Program.
