Kim Gray: Executive Director
Superior, AZ – Conservation leader Kim Gray has been chosen as Executive Director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden. In this role, she will lead a comprehensive facilities plan to update, enhance and maintain the buildings, trails and other amenities of the Arboretum and continue its 100-year legacy of conservation, education and community engagement.
A native Arizonian, Gray brings to the Arboretum over 35 years of experience in conservation leadership.Beginning her career at the Phoenix Zoo, she advanced through various leadership roles at U.S. zoos including the Oregon Zoo, Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo and the Milwaukee County Zoo. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer at the International Crane Foundation, she successfully oversaw a $10.4 million renovation of the campus, demonstrating her skill in strategic planning and operational leadership. Her expertise in fundraising and collaboration with government partners on endangered species initiatives has played a pivotal role in her career.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA) is located at the base of Picketpost Mountain in Queen Creek Canyon, in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains at the far eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert. As the first botanical institution in the U.S. dedicated to the study and development of arid land plants, it features plant collections from the world’s deserts, historic buildings and hidden gardens along five miles of paths and trails. The 372-acre facility has plant exhibits from 11 of the world's deserts, a native riparian habitat, and colorful specialty gardens. For more information, visit www.btarboretum.org
