We partnered with Holden Forests & Gardens on the search for a President and CEO. The Holden Arboretum, in Kirtland, Ohio, is one of the largest arboreta and botanical gardens in the United States, with more than 3,600 acres, including 600 acres devoted to collections and gardens. Diverse natural areas and ecologically sensitive habitats make up the rest of the holdings.
Our work resulted in the recruitment of Ed Moydell to the role.
Previously, Moydell enjoyed a long tenure at Bloedel Reserve where he originally joined as Associate Director. He was promoted to Executive Director and then President & CEO in 2020. At Bloedel, he oversaw all aspects of the internationally acclaimed, 150-acre public garden and forest preserve including 45 full- and part-time employees, 300+volunteers, and a $5 million annual budget. During his tenure, the Reserve’s budget, staff and volunteer size, attendance, and public support / revenue grew exponentially. Moydell was primarily focused on leading the Reserve toward long-term sustainability by increasing relevance; community ownership; restoring and enhancing features of the gardens, facilities, and forest; developing foundational plans; and sharing inspiring experiences of nature with the broader public. He acted as chief strategist and storyteller for the Reserve’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, a $25MM effort completed in 2021.
Previously, Moydell was the Creator and Founding Associate Director of the Center for Public Horticulture at the University of Delaware, an organization dedicated to public garden education, leadership training, and research.
He also worked as the education planning specialist at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and Herrenhauser Gardens in Hanover, Germany.
He is an active member of the American Public Gardens Association and a Selection Committee member of the Longwood Fellows Program for future garden leaders.
Moydell holds two degrees in Public Garden Management, including a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Science from the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware.