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The Conservatory of Flowers is a unique living museum that's bursting with life just waiting to be discovered. Its intimate setting gives visitors and up-close look at rare, exotic plants and beautiful tropical flowers.

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Staff

Acting Director Eric Andersen
 Name: Eric Andersen, Acting Director
Started at the COF: September 2012
Primary responsibilities: Primary spokesperson and community connection for the Conservatory, financial management, staff and volunteer motivator and fund development
Email: Eric.Andersen@sfgov.org
   
Lau
 Name: Lau Hodges, Director of Operations and Exhibitions
Started at the COF: 2007
Education/certifications: B.A. from the University of San Francisco; B.A. from Universite de Grenoble; Merritt College, Landscape Horticulture
Favorite thing at the COF: Its historic relevance to San Francisco, Golden Gate Park and worldwide plant communities.
Email: lhodges@sfcof.org
   

Name: Jane Scurich, Director of Development
Started at the COF: 2007
Primary responsibilities: Manage fund development initiatives and membership program, collaborate with dedicated volunteers to plan fabulous events, coordinate foundation grant proposals, cultivate corporate sponsors and business partnerships.
Education/certifications: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Marin County Master Gardener, Association of Fundraising Professionals
Favorite thing at the COF: Whatever is in bloom at the moment. My favorite moment is when the Clerodendrum thomsoniae (Tropical Bleeding Heart) is in bloom.
Email: jscurich@sfcof.org
   
Erika Name: Erika Frank, Director of Volunteers and Education 
Started at the COF: 2010
Primary responsibilities: Recruiting and managing volunteers. Providing educational materials for volunteers, school groups, and visitors.
Education/Certifications: B.F.A. from the University of Michigan. Studied Floral Design at City College of San Francisco.
Favorite thing at the COF: The smell! The intoxicating nectar of the citrus blossoms during Lunar New year and the fragrant orchids in the Highlands Gallery take me on a trip to the tropics each time I enter the Conservatory's galleries.
Email: efrank@sfcof.org
   

Name: Eric Imperiale, Nursery Specialist
Started at the COF: 2007
Primary responsibilities: Highland Tropics gallery, Pleurothallid orchid collection, cool-growing orchids, special exhibit gallery
Education/certifications: B.A. from San Francisco State University
Favorite thing at the COF: One of my favorite things about the Conservatory of Flowers is the way in which its aesthetic beauty seamlessly interconnects education and conservation, people and plants, and the past and present.
Email: info@sfcof.org
   

Betsy

 

Name: Betsy Nichols, Membership and Development Associate
Started at the COF: July 2012
Primary responsibilities: Assist new and current Conservatory members, promote the Conservatory and its mission, identify potential grantors and donors, increase awareness of CoF educational programs and events
Education/certifications: BA from Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Master's in Library Science from Simmons College, Boston, MA. 
Favorite thing at the COF: I love to walk through the galleries on sunny mornings, just after the hort staff have watered the plants.
Email: bnichols@sfcof.org
   
Annie

Name: Annie Abernethy, Weddings and Special Events Manager
Started at the COF: August 2010

Primary responsibilities: Manage all private event rentals; coordinate with weddding clients and vendors to create a special and seamless celebration.Education/certifications: B.A. Mills College
Favorite thing at the COF: It's always changing, and always in bloom. I walk through the building many times a day and love being surprised by a new burst of color or fragrance.
Email: aabernethy@sfcof.org
   
 Guest Services and Gift Shop Manager, Vanessa Fajardo

Name: Vanessa Fajardo, Guest Services and Gift Shop Manager

Started at the COF: October 2010

Favorite thing at the COF: I love coming into the Conservatory in the mornings when the rain function is on. It creates the most soothing sounds and smells in the city. There is no place in all of San Francisco more appealing to all five senses than the Conservatory of Flowers.

Email: vfajardo@sfcof.org