Ani Adishian, Class of 2001
Ani started her own company, Flora Horticultural Services, which is responsible for beautifying the campus of Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.
What Our Graduates Say
School of Professional Horticulture graduates go into an array of careers. Many go on to work at The New York Botanical Garden or other botanical gardens around the world, while others design rooftop gardens, manage private estates, start their own businesses or become editors of top, national magazines. Alumni remain an integral part of the School, and students have numerous opportunities to network with them. Listen to some alumni explain why they came to the School and how it helped them launch their careers in horticulture.
Megan Booth, Class of 2014
Megan now works as a horticulturist and designer for Gardener’s Touch, a residential landscaping design and maintenance company in Fairfield County, CT.
Ronda Brand, Class of 2009
Ronda partnered with Lynden B. Miller upon graduation and is now a freelance garden designer and horticulturist, designing public spaces in and around NYC.
Wayne Cahilly, Class of 1984
Wayne was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and is currently Manager of the Institutional Mapping Department.
Francisca Coelho, Class of 1981
Francisca was hired by The New York Botanical Garden upon graduation and served for many years in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where she oversaw countless exhibitions. She retired in 2018 as NYBG’s Vice President for Glasshouses and Exhibitions.
Santiago DaSilva, Class of 2009
After graduation, Santiago formed his own company, Castle Oak Horticulture, that does design, installation, and fine gardening around Stamford, CT.
Mike DiTota, Class of 2014
Mike came to the School of Professional Horticulture from California and is now a botanical bartender in Queens, where he develops new cocktails focusing on plant ingredients.
Melissa Fisher, Class of 2006
Upon graduation Melissa worked with the Horticultural Society of New York before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Friends of the High Line in NYC. She is currently a freelance horticulturist in Virginia.
Erika Hanson, Class of 2007
Erika started her own consulting, design, and maintenance firm, Living Colors Landscape and Garden, in New York’s Hudson Valley.
John Holm, Class of 2002
John was an estate manager for many years in Westchester County, NY. He is currently a freelance horticulturist in the NYC region.
Songsuk Kim, Class of 2009, & Yoojin Kim, Class of 2013
Songsuk earned her BS in Landscape Architecture from South Korea’s Sunchon National University before attending the School of Professional Horticulture at NYBG, after which she accepted a position as Gardener here at our Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Yoojin returned to South Korea after graduating from the SoPH program to work as a professional landscape designer.
Amanda J. Kozora, Class of 2009
Amanda works for Vert Gardens, Inc. as an estate gardener at three private homes located on the eastern end of Long Island.
Yuichi Murayama, Class of 2014
An international student from Tokyo, Yuichi returned to Japan after graduation and is now a horticultural consultant.
Fintan O’Sullivan, Class of 2007
A native of Australia, Fintan was hired by The New York Botanical Garden as a gardener in the Nolen Greenhouses and is currently working on the Outdoor Gardens team.
Tim Wells, Class of 2014
Tim is the Garden & Property Manager with The Laurelrock Company in Wilton, CT, where he manages and maintains beautiful private residences in Fairfield and Westchester Counties.