Our Organization
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How We Grew
Highline Botanical Garden was formed when two extraordinary private gardens were scheduled for demolition to make room for the flight path of SeaTac Airport’s third runway. Recognizing the cultural and recreational value of the Elda Behm Paradise Garden and the Seike Family Japanese Garden, hundreds of community members came together to find the land, funding and labor to relocate these gardens to their new home.
Read Our Current Newsletter
Spring News | April 2026
Our Mission
Our Board
Luanne Coachman
President
Aniko Juhasz
Vice President
Aniko is very active with the Northwest Fuchsia Society. She also coordinates the semi annual newsletter.
Lori McCleary
Treasurer
Lori is a University of Washington graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Accounting major. She enjoys gardening in Des Moines.
Angelica Thrasher
Secretary
Angelica is a resident of Des Moines. As a devoted houseplant enthusiast who is passionate about all things botanical, Highline Botanical Garden’s history, beauty and peaceful ambiance. She appreciates the strong sense of community and pride that local volunteers and donors feel for the garden and actively encourages others to support the foundation.
Ellen Coyle
Ellen comes with experience in administrative support and project management, administrative functions, financial management, and operations. She enjoys the Garden and wants to be more engaged in operations.
Leslie Galloway
Leslie is a lifelong resident of the Burien area and an avid gardener. She holds a BS in Forestry from the University of Washington and has over 25 years experience in nonprofit administration
Angie Hinh
Angie is an avid gardener and was delighted to discover the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. She is excited to help elevate awareness of this community gem and support efforts to preserve and grow the Garden’s horticultural collections for future generations.
Sarah Moore
Sarah is a 20 year resident in Burien, where she lives within walking distance of Highline Botanical Garden and visits as often as she can. She works as the Program Coordinator for the King County Master Gardeners, and holds a BS degree in Biology from Bates College.
Terri Morris Nichols
Terri comes from an extensive health related background. She is interested in developing community connections and maintaining the history and legacy of the Garden.
Karine Roettgers
Karine’s background is in planning, procurement, and development. She has volunteered with many organizations, including several botanical gardens in the area.
Ross Salvosa
Ross is President/CEO/Director of Music and Arts for Concordia Arts & Music Academy, in Tukwila. He has a doctorate in music and in the past worked with Music Without Borders. He is excited to be a member of the Board.
Our Staff
Naomie Chamberlain
Executive Director
Naomie joined the organization as Executive Director mid 2025. She holds a degree in architecture and urban development from Harvard University and brings a strong background in organizational strategy, finance, and community-centered leadership.
Etta Lilienthal
Marketing and Communications Manager
Etta’s background is in the arts with focused time spent sharing people-focused stories through visual communications. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts, her career in the Seattle nonprofit space has brought her in close contact with local communities, myriad experiences, and unique environments. She feels honored to bring her passion for people and plants to Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden.
Maricilla Ah-Siu
Event Coordinator
Kirsten Cooper
Volunteer Coordinator
Aaron Wiseman
SeaTac Liaison to the Board
Aaron is the supervisor of the SeaTac Park Maintenance Division. He coordinates division activities with other departments, outside agencies, organizations, and the public.
Our Foundation
More than six acres of the eleven-acre site are now planted, leaving plenty of room to share other stories in garden form. The Foundation has built infrastructure to sustain the garden: irrigation, pathways, a drainage system, and a water feature to showcase the natural setting of the Park. Expansion occurs, according to the Garden’s master plan, as funding becomes available. The Highline Botanical Garden Foundation (HBGF) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation in the State of Washington.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Our Sponsors
Marcia & Andrew Rebmann
The Garden Conservancy
The Nannette Mead Testamentary Trust
Charles and Marie Hoffman
The McEchern Foundation
Our Community Partners
ADMISSION/VISITING
COMPLIMENTARY Admission for all visitors.
HOURS: Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is open from dawn to dusk every day, excluding federal holidays and private events.
PETS: Dogs on a leash are permitted in the garden. Please refrain dogs from playing in the ponds, streams and fountains. Clean up after pets.
501 (c)3 EIN 31-1596850
GARDEN INFORMATION





