KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Longwood Gardens has selected four professionals from the United States, Mexico and Ghana for its 2026-27 Fellows Program, a leadership development initiative designed to prepare future executives and senior managers for public gardens and horticultural institutions.
The year-long, fully funded residency program reflects the growing emphasis on leadership succession across the public garden sector, where organizations increasingly require expertise that extends beyond horticulture into nonprofit management, governance, finance and communications.
The new Fellows are Cristóbal Sánchez of Mexico, Julia Kligman of California, Katrina Quint of Illinois and William Kofi Ofei of Ghana. The cohort will begin the program in July.
Founded in 1967, the Fellows Program is one of Longwood Gardens’ flagship professional development initiatives. Participants complete coursework and projects focused on organizational leadership, board governance, business management, nonprofit finance and communications, along with a two-month field placement.
According to Longwood Gardens, the program is intended for professionals with leadership aspirations or experience in public gardens and related fields. Graduates join Longwood’s professional alumni network, which includes more than 3,000 participants from its training programs.
Cristóbal Sánchez joins the program from the Vallarta Botanical Garden in Mexico, where he serves as chief science officer. His work has focused on botanical exploration, conservation of native tree species and ethnobotanical research. He also serves on the board of the Botanical Society of Mexico and as vice president of the Latin American Botanical Association.
Julia Kligman brings a background in communications, public relations and stakeholder engagement. Her career has included work in educational media, technology companies and artificial intelligence-related communications. She has also studied environmental horticulture and volunteered with horticultural organizations in the San Francisco area.
Katrina Quint currently serves as director of horticulture at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. She has more than 15 years of experience in public horticulture and previously worked on the display horticulture team at The Morton Arboretum. Her work has focused on landscape stewardship, urban ecosystems and staff development.
William Kofi Ofei joins the program from the University of Ghana, where he oversees the institution’s Grounds and Gardens Unit. During two decades with the university, he has managed campus landscape development and maintenance while leading projects focused on sustainability, cultural heritage and professional training.
Kay Chubbuck, Longwood Gardens’ vice president of engagement and learning, said the Fellows were selected through a competitive process and will bring a range of professional perspectives to the program.
Applications for the 2027-28 Fellows cohort will remain open through July 31, 2026. Additional information about the program is available at longwoodgardens.org/longwood-fellows.
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