Grace Elton, who has led New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill through nine years of substantial growth in attendance, membership and its physical footprint, is leaving the organization to take the top job at Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.
Elton, CEO of the Boylston-based garden since 2017, will become executive director of Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. Her final day at New England Botanic Garden will be Dec. 4, according to an announcement from the organization.
The departure closes a period in which the garden raised more than $31 million in its largest comprehensive capital campaign, added more than 60 acres to its property and saw annual visitation increase by 81%, according to the announcement.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve as CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill,” Elton said in the release. “I am very grateful to the board members, staff, members, volunteers, and the entire Garden community. I am especially proud of what we have accomplished together.”
During Elton’s tenure, the garden’s annual budget grew by 78% and membership increased by 47%, according to the organization. The garden now encompasses nearly 200 acres and draws more than 250,000 visitors annually.
Elton also led the $31 million-plus campaign that helped create The Ramble, a garden designed for children and families, while funding infrastructure and accessibility improvements across the property.
The organization said the addition of more than 60 acres during her tenure also expanded its conservation efforts.
“Grace’s leadership expanded the Garden’s mission and its reach within the community and beyond,” Gayle Weiss, president of the Board of Trustees, said in the release. “We are deeply grateful for her profound impact, her vision, and her dedication to the Garden.”
Elton’s influence extended into Worcester and the region’s broader cultural community. She has served on the boards of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, Discover Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Economic Club.
At the garden, her tenure included efforts to expand access to nature and green space and develop partnerships and educational programs intended to reach a broader range of communities.
Elton has also played a role in efforts to expand Worcester’s urban tree canopy. New England Botanic Garden has worked with community partners through its Greening the Gateway Cities Program, which has planted hundreds of trees in Worcester neighborhoods in recent years.
Under Elton, the organization also sharpened its focus on the role of a public garden as a community and cultural institution. Its “garden for all” approach included efforts to make programs and natural spaces more accessible to people from different backgrounds and age groups.
“We’ve fostered a garden that is a welcoming and inspiring place where people of all backgrounds can connect with plants and the natural world,” Elton said in the announcement. “While I am excited for my next chapter, the Garden will always hold a special place in my heart.”
New England Botanic Garden has also gained national recognition for its gardens, sustainability initiatives and annual holiday light display during Elton’s tenure.
The Board of Trustees plans to appoint an interim CEO before launching a national search for Elton’s permanent successor.
“Thanks to Grace’s leadership, the Garden is stronger than ever,” Weiss said in the release. “The board is excited to build off this momentum by expanding educational opportunities and growing our environmental stewardship.”
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