Columbus, Ga. (WRBL) – After an extensive search, the Columbus Botanical Garden has a new managing director. A press release announced that Adriana Quiñones has been selected to fill the position.
Quiñones took up her new role on May 18, 2021, replacing Stefan Bloodworth, who left as Executive Director in November 2020.
“We are grateful for the guidance Stefan has provided during his two years at Columbus Botanical Garden and for the good progress we have made during that time,” said Suzy Edge, chairman of the board of the Columbus Botanical Garden. “Now we are equally excited to welcome Adriana as our next leader, knowing that she will bring a level of passionate leadership to the next stages of work to build this enormous collective asset.”
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A native of Ohio, Quiñones began her career as a volunteer at the Dawes Arboretum in her home state. There she got to know public horticulture and plant reproduction.
Quiñones graduated from Ohio State University with summa cum laude and received her bachelor’s degree in landscaping with honors. During her time at the university, she received a scholarship to work at the university’s Chadwick Arboretum.
Following the scholarship, Quiñones will participate in the graduate program in molecular plant genetics at Ohio State University. As a PhD student, Quiñones studied the genetic pathways that lead to the flowering of Magnolia virginiana. In doing so, she discovered and named three genes. Quiñones received her Masters degree in 2012. She has also taught courses in plant identification, botany, master gardening and public horticulture.
Quiñones served as the Education Program Specialist for the Association of Horticultural Professionals, Director of Horticulture and Education at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and Executive Director at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens.
Quiñones looks forward to the things to come in her new role at the Columbus Botanical Garden. “I have the privilege of helping develop and develop the gardens into an indispensable part of the Columbus community and I look forward to working with our staff, volunteers, board of directors and other partners to achieve our mission and vision fulfill to advance our garden, ”said Quiñones.
