Featured Alumni

Below is a list of some School of Professional Horticulture alumni. If you would like to ask a question of a specific graduate, email the Director, who will then forward it to the respective person. Alumni remain an integral part of the School, and students have numerous opportunities to network with them.

John Gunderson (Class of 2011) has a bachelors of architecture degree from Cooper Union School of Architecture. Upon graduation he accepted a position as gardener at The High Line (www.highline.org)

Christopher Bale (Class of 2010) is a horticulturalist and herbalist currently working at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research in Vancouver, Canada.

Peter Couchman (Class of 2010) is assisting in the design and development as Head Gardener of High Glen, a new 60-acre private estate in Maryland.

Brian Kennedy (Class of 2010), originally from Massachusetts, was hired as a gardener with the Arboretum and Grounds crew at NYBG.

Gabriela Marin (Class of 2010), has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Romania. After graduation, she accepted a position as a gardener at the Battery Conservancy.

Alyssa Siegel (Class of 2010) is a plant grower at Pride's Corner Nursery, in Lebanon, CT, one of the largest wholesale nurseries on the east coast. She specializes in trees and vines.

Santiago DaSilva (Class of 2009) is sole proprietor of Castle Oak Horticulture, a company he started in Stamford, CT.

Ronda Brands (Class of 2009), a native of Boston, is an associate with Lynden B. Miller Public Garden Design.

Songsuk Kim (Class of 2009) is a native of South Korea where she earned a BS in landscape architecture from Sunchon National University. Upon graduation from the School, she accepted a position as gardener here at the Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Amanda J. Kozora (Class of 2009) works for Vert Gardens, Inc. as an estate gardener at three private homes located on the eastern end of Long Island.

Sarah Owens (Class of 2009) has a bachelors degree in sculpture and a previous career as a ceramics artist prior to joining the School. Upon graduation, she became the rosarian at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (http://www.bbg.org).

Myungwoo Yu (Class of 2009) came to the School from Korea with a BS degree in horticulture from Chungbuk National University. After graduation, he returned to Korea, and now plans to attend graduate school and earn a masters degree in landscape architecture at Seoul National University.

Ann Marie Zawistowski (Class of 2008) was hired after graduation as a gardener at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, New York.

Jamie Aizaga (Class of 2008) is the Horticultural Enhancement Manager for Statile & Todd, Inc., a Landscape Design & Build Company located in Far Hills, New Jersey.

Alex Feleppa (Class of 2007) returned to the Horticultural Society of New York where he created their Director of Horticulture position after graduating from the School. He now works for the Central Park Conservancy as a senior zone gardener and volunteer coordinator in the Conservatory Garden.

Erika Hanson (Class of 2007) started her own consulting, design, and maintenance firm, Living Colors Landscape and Garden, in Hudson Valley, NY.

Fintan O’Sullivan (Class of 2007), a native of Australia, was hired by The New York Botanical Garden after graduation as a propagator in the Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections.

Naima Green (Class of 2006) is owner of Blue in Green Garden Design, a landscape design company based in Brooklyn that designs, installs and maintains terraces, rooftop gardens and townhouse backyards in NYC.

Paige Keck (Class of 2006) is partners with Susan Welti at Foras Studio, LLC, (www.foras-studio.com) a small, Brooklyn-based design firm that focuses on a detailed thorough approach to landscape design, implementation and horticultural care.

Grace Martinelli (Class of 2006) is owner of Graceful Gardens, a garden and floral boutique in Williamsburg, Brooklyn opened in 2009. Grace designs and maintains urban gardens and is also floral designer specializing in special events. www.gracefulgardensnyc.com

James Neville Richardson (Class of 2006), a native of Bermuda, became the head curator at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens after graduation.

Eun Young Sebazco (Class of 2006) is Assistant Horticulture Manager at Randall's Island Park (randallsisland.org) in NYC and is owner of Silverflower Design (silverflowerdesign.com), a landscape design company that designs, installs and maintains gardens and landscapes in NYC, Long Island and NJ.

Lauren Julian (Class of 2006) worked at a landscape design and construction company, Rock Shelter Landscape Design & Construction in South Salem, NY. www.rockshelterldc.com/

Cathy Beauregard (Class of 2004) owns and operates Beauregard Horticultural Services, a design, build and maintenance firm in Bethel, CT. She is a member of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association - CT, and the Federated Garden Clubs of America where she lectures regularly on a wide variety of topics to garden clubs in New England.

David Bergman (Class of 2004) started his own landscape design company upon graduation, called DWB Botanical Designs, LLC.

Emily Glodek (Class of 2004) is estate manager at the Vik Estate in Greenwich, CT.

Rachna Korde (Class of 2003) is a native of India. Upon graduation she was hired by Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, NY to maintain their perennial garden. She now works as a consultant and maintains the Japanese Garden at Kykuit.

Cassie Banning (Class of 2002) earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Cornell Univ. after graduating from the School, and is currently the Horticulture Manager at Minnetrista, a 40-acre campus in Indiana that includes gardens, a modern museum facility, an historic home, nature area, sculptures, and a portion of the White River Greenway.

Cathy Deutsch (Class of 2002) is currently Director of Horticulture and Landscape Management at Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town in NYC.

Stacey A. Hirvela (Class of 2002) is currently Marketing Specialist at Spring Meadow Nursery. Prior to that, she was senior associate garden editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

Laura Leach (Class of 2002) is the Associate Director of Development for Major Giving at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, MD. Previously she worked at LTG as a seasonal gardener and now combines her interest in horticulture and the business of non-profit public gardens. (She keeps a pair of work boots and Felcos close at hand.)

Ani Adishian (Class of 2001) started her own company, Flora Horticultural Services, Ltd., which is responsible for beautifying the campus of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

Jody Payne (Class of 2001) became the horticulturist at Tavern on the Green in Central Park after graduation and later the interim Head Gardener at Hudson Pines Farm in Pocantico Hills, New York. She is now Curator of the Rock Garden at The New York Botanical Garden.

Maria Vlahos (Class of 2001) was Head Gardener at Mount Usher Gardens, Ireland 2002-2006, and is currently co-Director of Thirtythreetrees, Ltd.

Diane Schaub (Class of 1994) has been curator of the six-acre, formal Conservatory Garden in Central Park since graduating. She also designs many other herbaceous plantings and seasonal displays for Central Park Conservancy.

Yukie Kurashina (Class of 1992), is a gardener for the Outdoor Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden, propagating Rock Garden plants and growing Japanese Chrysanthemums for the Kiku exhibition.

Margaret Falk (Class of 1989) was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and is currently the Associate Vice President for Landscape Gardens and Living Collections.

Kurt Morrell (Class of 1987) was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and after many promotions is currently the Director of Arboretum, Grounds & Gardens.

Wayne Cahilly (Class of 1984) was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and is currently Manager of the Institutional Mapping Department.

Kim Johnson (Class of 1984) is currently supervisor of the Wall Garden at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, New York.

Mobee Weinstein (Class of 1982) is currently foreman of Gardeners at the Garden, Horticulture Instructor, Diploma School of Professional Horticulture, BS Lehman College. She is also a NOFA Accredited Organic Landscape Professional.

Francisca Coelho (Class of 1981) was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and is currently the Vivian & Edward Merrin Associate Vice President for Glasshouses & Exhibitions, The New York Botanical Garden.

Tom Christopher (Class of 1977) has worked as a garden columnist for a number of magazines and written several books. He also consults about sustainable gardening practices.

Billie Cohen (Class of 1976) has been transforming landscapes throughout the tri-state area since 1972 including campuses, public parks, community gardens, not-for-profits, and residential estates. She also involved with educational programs. www.billiecohenltd.com

Joseph Blank (Class of 1970) has been estate manager for over 25 years at Copper Beech Farm, a 52-acre private estate in Greenwich, CT, with greenhouses, various gardens, a turf-grass tennis court, a fruit orchard, and a tree farm. In his spare time, he hybridizes crape myrtles.

Marco Polo Stufano (Class of 1967), Director Emeritus of Horticulture at Wave Hill (1967–2002). He now lectures around the country and is Chair of the Garden Conservancy's Projects Department Screening Committee.