Cultivating Beauty. Growing Impact. Since 1912.

Leadership

OUR LEADERS

Leadership Rooted in Purpose

For more than a century, the Garden Club of Cleveland has been shaped by the vision, dedication, and leadership of its members. Each generation has built upon the work of those who came before, carrying forward a shared commitment to horticultural excellence, conservation, education, and civic beautification.

Today, our leadership continues that tradition, guiding the Club with thoughtful stewardship, a spirit of collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the community we serve. Together, our past and present leaders reflect an enduring legacy of service—and a commitment to cultivating a more beautiful Cleveland for generations to come.

Executive Board 2025 - 2027

  • President:  Katie Outcalt
  • First Vice President: Brooke Slater
  • Second Vice President/Coordinator, Provisional Classes: Steph Eisele
  • Treasurer: Elizabeth Morris
  • Assistant Treasurer: Karen Swift
  • Recording Secretary: Chrys Newell
  • Program Secretary: Karen Dolan
  • Membership Secretary: Nicole Twells
  • Assistant Membership Secretary/Little Green Book: Jane Hargraft
  • Communications Secretary:
  • Marketing and Public Relations Chair: Beth Sheeler
  • The Compost Editor: Nancy Forhan 

Standing Committees 2026 - 2027

Seeding Growth Grant Program – Charitable Outreach

Brooke Slater

Civic

Gina Cody, Chair
Liz Patterson, Assistant Chair

Floral Design

Karen Swift, Chair
Kathryn Meals, Assistant Chair

Conservation

Margaux Murphy, Chair
Sarah Hollington, Assistant Chair

Communications / Public Relations

Beth Sheeler, Chair

Photography

Lydia Harrington, Chair
Chloe Seelbach, Assistant Chair

Hospitality

Cari Ross, Chair
Muffy Boland, Assistant Chair

Membership

Nicole Twells, Chair
Jane Hargraft, Assistant Chair

Nominating

CeCe Graham

Legal Counsel

Julie Cronin

Institutional Committees

Holden Forests & Gardens

Holiday Coordinator Pegg Lencewicz

Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve

Claudia Fulton

Cleveland Public Square

Lucy Weller

Club Committees 2026 - 2027

Greens Workshop

Robbin Garcia
Susan Paul
Nadia Schroth

Harvest Boutique Charitable Fundraiser

CeCe Graham
Beth Sheeler
Catherine Sullivan

Archives

Deb Fitzgerald

Peony Fund

Carolyn Batcheller
Claudia Fulton

Visiting Gardens

Muffy Boland
Kristi Webster

Garden History & Design

Kristine Bryan

Jean Frazier Workshop

Margaux Murphy

Investment Chair

Kristine Bryan

GCA - GCC Liaisons 2025 - 2027

GCA and Grosscup Scholarship Fund Committee (GCC & SLGC)

Brooke Slater

Awards

Deb Fitzgerald

GCA Administrator

Karen Swift

Nominating

CeCe Graham

GCA Founders Fund

Nancy Sogg

Past Presidents of the Garden Club of Cleveland 1912 to Present

1910s

Mrs. Andrew Squire  1912-1914
Mrs. John E. Newell 1914-1916
Mrs. Max McMurray 1916-1920

1920s

Mrs. John E. Newell 1920-1923
Mrs. Henry P. McIntosh 1923-1925
Mrs. John Sherwin 1925-1930

1930s

Mrs. William G. Mather 1930-1933
Mrs. Windsor T. White 1933-1938
Mrs. Fayette Brown 1938-1940

1940s

Mrs. John A. Hadden 1940-1942
Mrs. Rueben Hitchcock 1942-1944
Mrs. John B. Dempsey 1944-1946
Mrs. Frank C. Newcomer 1946-1948
Mrs. Daniel B. Ford  1948-1950

1950s

Mrs. George Barnes 1950-1952
Mrs. Raymond T. Kelsey 1952-1954
(Mrs. Charles J. Paterson)
Mrs. Joseph T. Wearn 1954-1956
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb 1956-1958
Mrs. Lawrence Hitchcock 1958-1960

1960s

Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole, Jr 1960-1962
Mrs. George H. P. Lacey 1962-1964
Mrs. Kenyon C. Bolton 1964-1966
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb, Jr. 1966-1968
Mrs. Robert C. Webster 1968-1970

1980s

Mrs. Gordon C. Meacham 1979-1981
Mrs. Nelson S. Talbot  1981-1983
Mrs. Robert R. Lucas 1983-1985
Mrs. Thomas A. Quintrell 1985-1987
Mary Conway (Mrs. William E.) 1987-1989
Marcie Thompson (Mrs. W. Hayden) 1989-1991

1990s

Marcie Thompson (Mrs. W. Hayden) 1989-1991
Sally Neville (Mrs. Francis W.) 1991-1993
Penny Theis (Mrs. Stuart H.) 1993-1995
Deb Nash (Mrs. Clyde L., Jr.) 1995-1997
Anne Barnes (Mrs. William, IV) 1997-1999
Connie Norweb Abbey (Mrs. Paul R.) 1999-2001

2000s

Connie Norweb Abbey (Mrs. Paul R.) 1999-2001
Betsi Morris (Mrs. Warren S.) 2001-2003
Gene Rucker  (Mrs. James B. Jr.) 2003-2005
Carolyn Batcheller (Mrs. William G.) 2005-2007
Claudia Fulton (Mrs. David C. Jr.) 2007-2009
Mary Reynolds (Mrs. Timothy) 2009-2011

2010s

Mary Reynolds (Mrs. Timothy) 2009-2011
Lynn C. Shiverick (Mrs. Reginald)  2011-2013
Emily Anthony Garratt (Mrs. David M.) 2013-2015
Lisa V. McConnell (Mrs. C. Craig, Jr.) 2015-2017
Dale R. Naylor (Mrs. James B., IV)  2017-2019
Laura Fulton Pinnick (Mrs.Theodore)  2019-2021

2020s

Laura Fulton Pinnick (Mrs.Theodore)  2019-2021
Deborah M. Fitzgerald (Mrs. Gary T.) 2021-2023
Alisa “CeCe” Graham (Mrs. Thomas) 2023-2025