I’ve known Katherine Trumble for five years or so, not as a nonprofit CEO, but as a mom and neighbor.
She, her husband Kris, and their two daughters live just down the street from us. Our kids go to the same schools and play with their girls all the time.
Katherine is a super parent and a true dog lover. I vaguely knew she worked in the nonprofit world, but we never really talked about her “day job.” It was more about parenting stuff, dog stuff, neighborhood stuff, and occasionally the challenges of balancing work life and home life.
So, when she was recently selected as president and CEO of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, I wanted to learn more about her for 78209 Magazine.
According to the Garden’s website, Trumble joined the Botanical Garden in May 2020 as director of development and was promoted to interim president & CEO in November 2023. With more than 15 years of experience, Katherine is well-practiced in nonprofit management and leading a comprehensive fund development program. She has built a career around a passion for arts and culture and servant leadership. Katherine played an integral role in more than doubling the Garden’s operational budget, membership, and attendance over the last four years.
Prior to the Botanical Garden, Katherine worked in leadership positions at the McNay Art Museum, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, AL. Katherine began her career as a Fellow at El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. It was founded in 1937. Its mission is to enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado.
Katherine holds a B.A. in American Studies and Government from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Denver. She grew up in Victoria, Texas.
“My mom is a master gardener….she taught me about the importance of being a voice in your community and the importance of art and culture. She also taught me the importance of protecting the environment. I learned early on that we must be good stewards of this earth. And I am pleased to say conservation is one of our core values at the Garden.”
She was proud to tell me, “We grow and propagate more rare and endangered species than any other garden in the state. We do this because it is important to keep those species going. We share those plants with landowners and gardeners. And, the Garden is also committed to water conservation.”
I asked her about the challenges she faces being a full time CEO and a full time mom. She laughed and said it takes a lot of conservations with Kris, her spouse. “Balancing mom stuff and work stuff is a challenge, but as a female leader I need to model the balance of parent and professional so all can see it is doable.”
She literally smiles from ear to ear when she shares her love for the Garden. Trumble invites everyone to visit the Garden. There, on its 38 acres, people will find the Texas Native Trail, the Water Saver Garden and Water Saver Home-scapes, the Old Fashioned Garden, the Conservatory, the Rose Garden, and much, much more. It is a peaceful, welcoming slice just minutes away from Ft. Sam Houston, and downtown San Antonio.
Stop by the Garden at 555 Funston Place, 78209.
