Staff

Dee Ann Benard

(she/her)

Director, UBC Botanical Garden & Nitobe Memorial Garden

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“My goal is to provide thoughtful, steady leadership so the Garden can grow, inspire and connect people and plants.”

I am the Director of UBC Botanical Garden & Nitobe Memorial Garden, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across nonprofit and applied research organizations. I hold a B.Sc. in Biology and an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology from Simon Fraser University, which grounds my work in science-based stewardship.

I was drawn to UBC Botanical Garden because of its unique intersection of living collections, academic research and community connection. The Garden brings together my leadership experience and long-standing love of plants, and I’m continually inspired by its ability to spark curiosity and learning across diverse communities.

The garden’s vision to inspire communities, ideas and actions for a resilient, biodiverse world resonated with my own values of collaboration, purposeful leadership and accessibility. I’ve especially enjoyed building stronger connections with volunteers and helping shape long-term sustainability through our strategic planning and annual reporting.

Douglas Justice

(he/him)

Associate Director, Horticulture & Collections

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“I tell stories about UBC Botanical Garden and its plant collections, the history of plant exploration and the natural progression of the site and the region.”

UBC Botanical Garden inspires me to deepen my relationship with its living collections, and I would love to know every plant well enough to include each one into the stories I tell. I’m equally inspired by the people who share a curiosity about the natural world and finding new ways to expand that circle to include those who have yet to discover their own connection to nature.

I hold a BSc Ag in Horticulture and an MSc in Botany. I pioneered the provincially accredited Horticulture Training Program, taught and mentored students through it and developed conservation initiatives including the ornamental cherry tree propagation program to help conserve Vancouver’s rare cherries. I have also co-authored The Jade Garden and continue to share stories and insights through the Garden’s newsletters. I am proud of the role I have played in imparting my passion for plants to a broad community that includes students of all ages, Botanical Garden staff, volunteers, and visitors from around the world.

Tara Moreau, PhD

(she/her)

Associate Director, Sustainability and Community Programs

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“I support a wide range of education and research programs that reflect the breadth and impact of the garden as a living space for research & education.”

With a PhD in Plant Science from UBC, an MSc in Agriculture from Dalhousie University, and a BSc in Biology and Environmental Science from Bishop’s University, my career spans more than two decades across sustainability, biodiversity, and food systems, including postdoctoral research with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions and international consulting with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

What drew me to UBC Botanical Garden was its unique role as both a public garden a place where science, learning, and community intersect, and where local and global perspectives come together. My work is driven by the belief that caring for plants, people, and the planet are inseparable. I’ve always felt a deep connection to plants and the natural world, which aligns with the garden’s mission to nurture biodiversity, foster nature-based learning, and cultivate inclusive communities for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Pamela Voigt

(she/her)

Associate Director, Administration

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“My hope is that everyone here feels supported, connected, and proud of the role they play in the garden’s work.”

Since joining UBC in 2012 as a staff member following my graduation, I have built broad experience across a variety of leadership roles, developing a deep understanding of how people, systems, and culture come together to support meaningful, well-run organizations. My work focuses on supporting the garden from the inside out, helping guide operations across human resources, finance, facilities, and daily administration so teams can do their best work. I enjoy untangling complex challenges, finding practical solutions, and creating systems that make work feel clearer and more supportive.

What makes this role especially meaningful is the environment and the people in the garden. Coming to work each day is a privilege, and I’m deeply aligned with the garden’s commitment to creating a healthy, inclusive, and caring workplace. I’m passionate about building strong HR foundations that centre wellbeing, growth, and belonging. II place real value on genuine relationships built on trust, kindness, and a good, shared laugh. I want people to leave each day knowing their work matters and they belong to something meaningful.

Jen Chang, MBA

(she/her)

Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications

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“My work isn’t just about selling stories — I shape meaning, build trust, and create experiences that endure long after the message fades.”

This philosophy guides everything I do and how I mentor my team.

I hold a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and bring over two decades of senior leadership experience across the CPG, finance, and service industries. My career has been defined by business strategy, operational leadership, creativity, and delivering measurable impact.

I found myself drawn to UBC Botanical Garden by both its challenge and potential — to strengthen its foundation while unlocking its immense potential for reach, awareness, engagement, and growth. I saw a living brand ready to connect more deeply with its community, and my goal has been to consistently deliver that connection across both digital and physical spaces.

Every project I lead is driven by growth — event by event, result by result, each one stronger than the last. For me, marketing isn’t just about maximizing ROI or optimizing CPM; it’s about planting seeds of connection, nurturing relationships, and cultivating brand equity that inspires the next generation to craft stories that matter as much as they sell.

Brendan Fisher

(he/him)

Garden Supervisor

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“At the core of my work is caring for the Garden as a living system and ensuring the spaces, plants, and infrastructure support learning, wellbeing and stewardship.”

As Garden Supervisor, I oversee horticulture operations across UBC Botanical Garden, with a strong focus on maintaining and improving garden infrastructure so it continues to support both plants and people. My interest in horticulture began in Banff and led me to formal training through a Certificate in Landscape Horticulture at Capilano College and a Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, shaping my practical, systems-based approach to garden care.

What drew me to UBC Botanical Garden was the diversity of plant collections and the opportunity to work across varied horticultural environments. Creating welcoming spaces for visitors, students, and classes to gather, learn and connect, like the installation of the Garden’s Education Pods, is one aspect I am especially proud of. My work is creating and managing spaces that support learning and wellbeing, closely aligned with the Garden’s mission to connect communities with innovative horticulture and with plants.

Sarah Doran-Coelho

(she/her)

Associate Director, Development, Faculty of Science

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“I build meaningful, values-driven partnerships that connect people who care about nature with opportunities to support learning, research, and conservation.”

As a fundraising leader at UBC Botanical Garden, I focus on cultivating long-term philanthropic relationships with a diverse community of dedicated donors. In addition to my work with the Garden, I lead philanthropic partnerships for the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and the UBC departments of Botany and Zoology, supporting education, research, and environmental stewardship across the university.

As a living museum and place of learning, the Garden inspires me by bringing people together to reflect on biodiversity, conservation, and the future of our planet. I’m deeply committed to work that nurtures growth, in people, ideas, and ecosystems, and feel closely aligned with the Garden’s mission to foster curiosity, care, and hope for future generations.

Joerg Bohlmann

(he/him)

Academic Director, UBC Botanical Garden & Nitobe Memorial Garden

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“My work is driven by the connection between plant biodiversity and biotechnology, and the incredible potential plants hold for ecological and human wellbeing.”

My interest in plants began long before my academic career. I grew up in a small village where plants were part of everyday life and that early connection shaped the way I understood the natural world. I later studied biology and very quickly found my path in plant biology, inspired by a botany professor whose fieldwork and teaching showed me how much there was to discover through plants. Those early experiences collecting plants, studying their diversity, and exploring ecosystems across Europe stayed with me and continue to shape my work today.

I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies in plant biology and now focus much of my research on plant biotechnology, particularly the chemistry plants produce and how it can benefit people. What drew me to UBC Botanical Garden was the opportunity to connect living plant collections with research in biodiversity and biotechnology. I see the garden as a place where we can better explore the relationship between plant diversity and the unique compounds plants create, whether for pharmaceutical discoveries, bio products, or greener urban spaces. I am especially excited by projects like Campus as a Living Laboratory, where we are studying BC native plants and their chemistry for new applications, as well as current research exploring plant compounds with potential for treating type 2 diabetes. Outside of work, I find the same inspiration in nature through trail running, cycling, and time spent in forests and green spaces, where plants continue to be both my work and my way of reconnecting.