Gretchen E. Baker has been running the Chicago Botanic Garden since March 16, but North Shore residents are only finding out now.
The Garden's board announced Baker's appointment as president and CEO on Monday, June 16, three months after she took over from Jean M. Franczyk, who retired March 13 after leading the institution since 2016. It is the first leadership change at the 385-acre Glencoe garden in a decade.
Baker spent 18 years at the Field Museum in Chicago, working in botanical research, exhibition design, public programs, and early environmental and conservation initiatives.
She then served as Vice President of Exhibitions at the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, where she oversaw the Nature Gardens and La Brea Tar Pits, and as Managing Director of Museum Experience at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Most recently she led Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh since 2021. She holds a biology and anthropology degree from Kenyon College and studied landscape architecture at UC Berkeley.
Born and raised in rural Illinois, Baker has lived in California and Pennsylvania for the past 10 years.
"I'm honored by the opportunity to lead the Chicago Botanic Garden, and excited to now devote my energies to advocating for plants and deepening our relationship to them," Baker said in the announcement.
Board chair Michael R. Zimmerman said Baker's "innovative ideas, passion for the natural world, and approachability" set her apart in the search.
Under Franczyk, the Garden launched Lightscape (the 1.3-mile holiday lights trail) and completed the Regenstein Learning Campus, the Welcome Plaza, and the Stone Family Picnic Glade.
A Cook County Forest Preserve District resolution honoring Franczyk cited approximately 1.2 million visits per year during her tenure. The Garden has not announced a public introduction event for Baker or detailed her priorities beyond the press release.
Baker takes the helm as the Garden's Shimmering Summer season runs daily through Sunday, September 20, featuring "Evanescent," iridescent sculptures by Australian artists Atelier Sisu appearing in a U.S. botanic garden for the first time. Admission is $22.95 for adult Cook County residents, $24.95 for non-residents.
North Shore Community & Culture Week Ahead
Wednesday, June 17 | West End 40 (R&B, Jazz) | 6–7:30 p.m. | Esplanade, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | Free with admission. Part of the summer evening music series.
Wednesday, June 17 | Seasonal Tree Walk | 9–10:30 a.m. | Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | Guided walk through the Garden's living collection.
Thursday, June 18 | De'Jah Jervai (Roots, Soul & Story) | 10–11 a.m. | McGinley Pavilion, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | Morning music performance.
Thursday, June 18 | Garden Game Nights | 5–7 p.m. | Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | First of the summer Thursday series. Free with admission.
Monday, June 22 | David Chiriboga Ensemble (Latin, Flamenco) | 6–7:30 p.m. | Esplanade, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | Free with admission.
Through September 20 | Shimmering Summer: "Evanescent" by Atelier Sisu | Daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (members at 8 a.m.) | Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe | Immersive iridescent sculptures across the campus. Included with admission ($22.95–$24.95 adults).
