Meet our Board of Directors
Our Board provides the leadership to accomplish the mission of our Foundation and sets priorities in pursuit of our vision. When not performing Foundation duties, you will find them in the gardens and at various Master Gardener events.
President
Linda Morse
Linda is a retired high school teacher. Born and raised in Leavenworth, Linda recently moved back to the Wenatchee area. Her previous gardening experience was in Kingston, Washington where she was the plant sale chair for 6 years. Linda loves traveling, exploring the backwoods trails and roads, and anything to do with plants and gardening. Linda is currently serving on the Foundation Board as vice president.
Vice President
Dana Cook
Dana Cook’s transient lifestyle never allowed for her to have a much-desired garden to unravel the mysteries of producing the perfect home-grown tomato! She is interested in working aside the experts in the community gardens, and connecting with the public in fun and educational ways.
Treasurer
Ren Novack
After a lively career in entertainment both on and off stage, Ren decided to invest more time in quiet interests. She has gardened near beaches, under the hot desert sun, and now in the beauty of Central Washington. She enjoys reading books focused on ethnobotany and plant biology, while cultivating her petite indoor garden.
Secretary
Marilee Smith-Lorenson
Marilee became interested in gardening after moving into a new home surrounded by dirt that desperately needed a plan. She learned through a series of classes offered by Master Gardeners to make that dirt into good soil and plant the right plants in the right places and became a Master Gardener herself in 2022 with still very much to learn. She’s a part of the 3rd Saturday education committee and helps with Natives ’n More at the Community Education Garden. She is serving as secretary on the Foundation Board.
Director At Large
Position 1
Diane Lee
Diane Lee is recently retired and new to the Wenatchee valley. Her experience with gardening has been a hobby and she now wants to learn the science associated with growing and have less trial and error! Her passion is flowers but she is interested in container gardening and growing in small places. Diane serves on the Foundation Board as director at-large.
Director At Large
Position 2
Teresa Marshall
Teresa Marshall, a home gardener for 30 years, holds a Beginning Bee Keeping Certification from the Washington Bee Keepers Association. Her love of garden art is evident from the displays in her yard. She also enjoys trying to capture on camera the insects and birds in her yard. She has a special interest in growing drought-tolerant plants that support pollinators in urban areas.
Immediate Past President
Ettore Castellente
Ettore is a retired career fire chief and paramedic with 34 years of service and currently serves as a fire commissioner in Douglas County. He graduated from his MG basic training and internship in 2018. He is a current co-coordinator for the Bridge of Friendship Japanese Garden in East Wenatchee. Ettore is currently serving as Immediat Past President on our Foundation Board.