NAOP Staff

Executive Director, National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP)
Prior to joining NAOP in 2007, Iris headed the Education and Visitor Services Department at historic Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, (2001–2007) where she oversaw guest services, education, public programs, PR and marketing of the 1,000-acre public garden. Iris was Director of Education and Visitor Services at the Olmsted-designed Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL, adjacent to Mountain Lake Community with its numerous residential landscapes designed by the Olmsted firm.

Iris brings extensive experience in non-profit management, strategic planning and program development. She holds a M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration from the Longwood Graduate Program, University of Delaware, where she developed a preservation proposal for the historic landscape of Gibraltar in Wilmington, Delaware, designed by pioneer woman landscape architect Marian Cruger Coffin. She holds a M.S. in Plant Science from Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.

Iris is active in the historic landscape preservation and public horticulture fields. She recently completed a strategic plan for the Smithsonian Horticulture Services Division that initiated a name change to Smithsonian Gardens to better reflect the stature and operations of Smithsonian Gardens as a public garden, educational institution, and horticultural display garden. Iris served on the Longwood Graduate Program Executive Committee and the Gibraltar Landscape Advisory Committee for Preservation Delaware, Inc.

Director of Development and Membership
Emily has over a decade of professional business development experience ranging from Communications Management to Nonprofit Administration. She has successfully served as the Program Manager of Communications for the third largest charity in the United States, Gifts In Kind International; as well as Director of Development for two nonprofit organizations.

Emily has raised millions of dollars in support of nonprofits while meeting budget guidelines. Her focus on growing a diverse constituent base for organizations has doubled returns. She has managed volunteer teams of more than 100 people, implemented large fund raising events, and chaired committees of philanthropic community leaders to support such efforts. A career highlight was the management of the nation's largest Caribbean Fine Art Exhibit. Strategic planning considering an organization's entire operation is key in Emily's development approach and has brought increased visibility in all of her ventures.

Emily's core competencies include: board relations; programmatic and operational funding implementation; successful grant and proposal writing and management; community outreach programs; campaigns increasing stakeholder involvement; and innovative and comprehensive streamlining solutions.

Office Administrator
Joanne was born and raised in Annandale, VA. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Finance, she became an AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) at the Montana Credit Unions for Community Development in Helena, MT. After her year of service, she stayed in Helena and worked as the Office Manager and Events Coordinator at Prickly Pear Land Trust. In late 2011, Joanne hit the road on a long road trip to move back to Virginia. Joanne then joined the NAOP team in 2012.

Joanne has experience in non-profit financial management, event planning, outreach, and volunteer coordination. She is passionate about volunteering, hiking, biking, camping, and cross-country skiing.