The Dawes Arboretum, dedicated to enriching lives through the conservation of trees, nature and history, has named Stephanie Crockatt as its new executive director. Crockatt is the first woman in The Dawes Arboretum’s history to permanently serve as the executive director.
Crockatt is an accomplished park conservancy leader with significant development and fundraising experience as executive director of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the first nonprofit in the nation to manage and operate an entire urban park system, stewarding 850 acres of historic parks and parkways.
“Stephanie’s wide-ranging experience and professional accomplishments distinguished her in our thorough, national search for this position,” said The Dawes Arboretum’s Board Chair Henry Hauser. “Her vision and values are sure to elevate our mission and carry on the work Beman and Bertie Dawes began nearly 100 years ago. Those visiting Dawes have left feeling inspired by the world around them, with broadened perspectives and unmatched educational experiences. We look forward to continuing this standard of excellence under Stephanie’s leadership.”
“It is a huge honor and privilege to join and lead The Dawes Arboretum, the oldest Level IV arboretum in the State of Ohio, and I thank the board for this exciting opportunity,” stated Crockatt. “With central Ohio’s booming growth, the enriching outdoor environment and scientific study Dawes provides are essential to quality of life and the vitality of the region. I look forward to engaging Team Dawes and the community with mission-forward endeavors to further the impactful value and prominence of this must-see legacy landscape.”
At The Arboretum, Crockatt will assume overall responsibility for leading the 2000-acres to its next stage of success. She will also focus on expanding partnerships and collaborations to support ongoing arboretum operations, maintenance, educational programming and membership engagement.
Effective early November 2024, Crockatt will succeed former executive director Luke Messinger who announced his departure from the arboretum in February after 24 years of leadership.
