Kim Perez: Chief Executive Officer

Des Moines, IA – Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (the Botanical Garden) has announced Kim Perez, an Iowa native, as its CEO.
Most recently, Perez has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cradle, one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country. During her tenure, she bolstered the organization’s capacity to lead the way in services for building and strengthening families for years to come. She also has served as Executive Director of People’s Resource Center, a nonprofit helping low-income families. Earlier in her career, Perez held several leadership positions at the social services agency Lifelink, where she was Vice President of Child and Family Services.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a vibrant, 14-acre public garden in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Guided by a mission of exploring, explaining and celebrating the world of plants, the Botanical Garden cultivates a signature guest experience through progressive garden design and innovative programming. It plays an essential role in bringing diverse communities together through its enduring guest experiences and innovative educational opportunities. The Garden’s staff believes education is a lifelong pursuit when people come to the garden, and they embrace the fusion of art and horticulture as a means for meaningful, memorable experiences. Dynamic collections are curated and ecological stewardship is embraced.