The Morton Arboretum’s vibrant staff includes 235 full-time, 135 part-time, and 120 temporary employees who work in areas such as plant collections and grounds, tree research, education, visitor services, and administration. Employees come from diverse backgrounds and share a common commitment to the mission of the Arboretum: to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment.

The vision of The Morton Arboretum is a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. The management team leads the staff to achieve the goals of three interlinked strategic priorities: to engage local and regional communities, with attention to changing demographics and means of engagement; to conduct and share innovative research that advances tree science regionally and globally; and to conserve and promote resilient and adaptive trees and forests.

Senior Staff of the Arboretum

Jill Koski
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kris Bachtell, MS
Vice President of Collections and Horticulture

Norissa Bailey, SPHR
Vice President of People and Culture

Preston Bautista, PhD
Vice President of Learning and Engagement

Alicia LaVire
Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience

Karen Magid, PhD
Chief of Staff

Kathleen Spiess, CFRE
Vice President of Development

Murphy Westwood, PhD
Vice President of Science and Conservation