Charles Burke
President & CEO
Charles Burke champions the intersection of art, culture and nature to build healthy communities—a philosophy he embodies at Meijer Gardens.
Arts AdministrationBusiness StrategyCommunity EngagementStrategic PlanningPerforming Arts
Carol Kendra
Chief Operating Officer
Carol Kendra provides strategic oversight for daily operations, guest experience, programming and long-term planning.
Strategic PlanningMentorshipOperational ExcellenceCommunity BuildingOrganizational Communications
Steve LaWarre
Senior Vice President
Steve LaWarre's leadership and passion for botanical excellence help shape Meijer Gardens' stunning landscapes and operational success.
HorticultureLandscapingLandscape DesignLandscape ArchitectureLandscape Management
Suzanne Ramljak
Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs
Suzanne Ramljak oversees the acquisition and siting of the permanent collection and curation of engaging exhibitions at Meijer Gardens.
Art CriticismContemporary ArtMuseum Exhibition CurationSculptureCurating
Wendy Overbeck Dunham
Director of Horticulture
Wendy oversees care and presentation of Meijer Gardens’ living collections—connecting guests to art, design, and the natural environment.
Common Sense LandscapingButterfly ExhibitsHorticultureGardeningExhibit Design
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Expert Center
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers access to leading experts on gardens, sculpture, and the natural environment, and the intersection of art, culture and nature to build healthy communities. Our Expert Center makes it easy for media, conference organizers, podcast hosts and other audiences to discover interesting voices ready to share their knowledge and insights.
Featured Experts
More about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world's most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, was named the Best Sculpture Park in the United States in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and is one of the 100-most-visited museums in the world and 15-most-visited museums in the United States according to The Art Newspaper. The 158-acre main campus features Michigan's largest tropical conservatory; one of the country's largest interactive children's gardens; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens, including a replica 1930s-era farm garden; an 8-acre Japanese garden; and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater garden, showcasing an eclectic mix of world-renowned touring musicians each summer. The permanent sculpture collection highlights hundreds of sculptures from internationally acclaimed artists including Alexander Calder, Dale Chihuly, Mark di Suvero, Marshall Fredericks, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin, and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have presented numerous solo shows.