Katherine Trumble
4 Garden Sq San Antonio,TX
Summary
Accomplished servant leader with sixteen years of experience in cultural institutions, adept at directing comprehensive fund development programs and fostering relationships with community and city leaders and colleagues nationwide, strategic planning, volunteer management, nonprofit management, conservation, and educational outreach.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
President & CEO
San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio, TX
11.2023 - Current
- Manage all operations at San Antonio Botanical Garden, a 39-acre living museum of plants, encompassing fundraising, education, programs, business administration, horticulture efforts, conservation, operations, and marketing.
- Named interim CEO in November 2023, and promoted to President & CEO in May 2024.
- Overseeing a 2.5-year, $8 million restoration of the conservatory complex, scheduled for completion in 2026.
Secured an additional $1.4 million from the City of San Antonio for restoration in 2024. - Shepherded ten-month engagement with nationally renowned landscape architecture firm Reed Hildebrand resulting in ten-year master plan that was approved by the Board of Directors in December 2024.
- Currently conducting a programming study for Phase 1 Master Plan projects with Reed Hildebrand in 2025, while advocating to the City Council early for the 2027 $20 million from the City of San Antonio and County Commissioners for a $5 million request to Bexar County.
Planned capital campaign committee kickoff scheduled for fall 2025. - Secured $1.5 million in private funds for a new orchid pavilion in 2025.
- Collaborated with Reed Hildebrand to reimagine an existing space for a new orchid pavilion set to open in fall 2026, with contributions from the leadership team and the Board Long Range Planning Committee.
- Reevaluated the annual light show contract and partnered with the Board and garden attorney to ensure a successful exit from the former light show contract at minimal expense to SABG in Spring 2024.
- Established collaboration with Tianyu Arts and Culture for the 2024 Illuminate Holiday exhibition. Achieved a positive financial impact of nearly $900,000 compared to the previous 2023 event.
- Led the establishment of the Texas Public Garden Coalition, convening in 2024 and 2025 to initiate statewide advocacy efforts.
- Established Texas Hill Country Tree Restoration Initiative in August 2025 in response to severe flooding.
Formed coalition with conservation groups, landowners, local authorities, and community volunteers.
Aimed to restore 50,000 native riparian tree species through locally sourced plants over a five-year period. - Achieved approval from the Board Executive Committee to initiate a new revenue stream with a mixed beverage license, yielding over $500,000 in revenue annually.
- Partnered with the leadership team to re-evaluate and elevate the strategic plan access goal to become a national model for access in public gardens by bringing 50,000 people to the Garden through access programs by year-end 2026. Year two will draw 43,000 people.
- Conducted internal and market payroll audits, and developed a plan for phasing in payroll adjustments to remain competitive in the market, and reduce the garden's turnover rate from 37% to 21% in the first year as CEO.
- Partnered with the Board of Directors to conduct an audit of organizational bylaws in 2024-2025 and change the fiscal year from calendar year-end to September 30, to better forecast revenue and expenses.
Director of Development
San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio, TX
05.2020 - 10.2023
- Developed and executed revenue strategies based on anticipated financial needs for operations, programs, capital, and exhibition projects.
- Directed the development budget, goal development and performance assessment, and managed ten full-time and seven part-time employees.
- In 2023, these efforts generated approximately $6 million in contributions, grants, sponsorships, private rentals, special events, and membership (62% of annual operating budget).
- Reported to the CEO as a member of the executive leadership team.
- In 2023, developed more than 200 donors that gave $1000 or more first time gifts to the Garden or increased their support above $1,000 totaling $1.85 million in new Garden funding by year end.
- Increased member households from 5,400 in May 2020 to 12,270 at year-end 2023.
- Elected by peers nationwide as chair of APGA Development Committee in July 2023.
- Co-chaired APGA Development and Membership Symposium (Blooming in the Desert) on Jan 10-12, 2024 in Tucson, AZ.
- Collaborated with the Campaign Chair, Board President, and CEO to close a near $40 million capital campaign with a $1.5 million legacy gift in April 2021.
- Launched the Cenizo Legacy Circle to formalize planned giving at the Garden.
- Actively collaborated in the development of the 2022-2026 strategic plan.
- Launched the Perennials Giving Circle in 2021 and grew to nearly two-hundred-member households by 2023.
- Transformed the annual gala in between 2021-2023 by increasing net revenue more than 115% since 2019.
- Expanded responsibilities to oversee private rentals in 2022 exceeding revenue goals by 24% in year one.
- Served as liaison for a consulting firm that completed a feasibility study in 2022, recommending a $25 million combined capital and endowment campaign.
- Conducted campaign preparation work and secured campaign chair in 2023.
Head of Development
McNay Art Museum
San Antonio, TX
04.2019 - 05.2020
- Served as the principal fundraiser.
- Member of the executive leadership team, and reported to the CEO.
- Led a team responsible for $1.8 million in contributed revenue annually, as well as completing a $6.5 million capital project.
- Developed and executed a revenue strategy based on anticipated financial needs related to operations, programs, and exhibitions—short term and long term.
- Managed the revenue and expense development budget, and the goal development, performance assessment, and ongoing coaching of two direct reports.
- Garnered more than $2.2 million in new and increased operational and capital support in eleven months.
- Partnered with the Board President and CEO to meet fundraising goals for Phase 1 of the Landscape Master Plan.
- Realized 100% of the $6.5 million goal in March 2020.
- Secured a $1 million legacy gift.
Head of Development
Briscoe Western Art Museum
San Antonio, TX
05.2016 - 03.2019
- Led a development team of three, generating more than $2.2 million in operating support through major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, fundraisers, membership, and the annual fund.
- A member of the senior staff reported to the Vice President and collaborated with the President and CEO, the Chair of the Board, and the Board Development Committee to advance institutional goals.
- Launched a major gifts program in December 2016, resulting in $1.9 million in multi-year gifts.
- Collaborated with the President, VP, and Committee to redesign the event in 2018, and attract greater interest among collectors nationwide, to generate $2.4 million over opening weekend.
- Increased 2016 annual fund support by 49% above 2015, and sustained growth in 2017.
Development Officer, Grants and Sponsorships
McNay Art Museum
San Antonio, TX
06.2014 - 05.2016
- Wrote proposals for $1.8 million annually in exhibition support and major gifts through individual sponsorships, grants, corporate giving, and the annual fund.
- As a member of the management team, assisted in strategic planning and collaborated with Trustees and Development Committee members to develop exhibition Host Committees and advance corporate giving.
- Broadened the McNay’s pool of major donors through prospect research, reported to the Chief Development Officer, and collaborated with the Director, Chief Curator, and Director of Education.
- Created a 48% growth in new and increased funding sources within 18 months.
- Increased the overall grant budget by 35% in less than two years.
- Noteworthy funders included the Hearst Foundations, the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, the Nancy Smith Hurd Foundation, the NEA, and the John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation.
- Secured the first federal and state grants in ten years.
Development Officer
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Montgomery, AL
04.2011 - 05.2014
- Primary job functions included grant writing, organizing fundraisers, nurturing donors up to $2,500, soliciting corporate sponsorships, and serving as a liaison to the Junior Executive Board.
- Reported to the Deputy Director and supervised the Development Assistant.
- Successfully managed the Development department for one year in the absence of a Deputy Director.
- Exceeded the 2012-2013 grants budget by more than 40%, including grants from the IMLS, the NEA, and the Hearst Foundations.
Program Associate
El Pomar Foundation
Colorado Springs, CO
01.2010 - 04.2011
- Served as a Fellow at the El Pomar Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Colorado, with assets exceeding $770 million.
- This highly competitive program employs young professionals for a two-year firsthand experience that combines on-the-job training with a solid background in leadership theory.
Development Assistant
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2009 - 01.2010
Research Assistant to former CO Governor Dick Lamm
University of Denver
Denver, CO
09.2007 - 05.2009
Education
Master of Public Policy -
University of Denver
Denver06.2009
Bachelor of Arts - American Studies and Government
University of Texas at Austin
Austin12.2006
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Financial management
- Project oversight
- Capital campaign management
- Leadership development
- Revenue generation
- Team building
- Public speaking
- Fundraising
Affiliations
Family, Pilates, Yoga, Hiking, Skiing, Family, Walking, Art, Gardening, Embroidery, Travel, Literature
Accomplishments
• Chair, American Public Gardens Association Development & Membership Committee (Summer 2023-Spring 2025)
• Co-chair 2024 American Public Gardens Association Development & Membership Symposium (January 2024)
• Fellowship Alumni Leadership Mentoring Co-Hort with El-Pomar Foundation (2023-2024)
• Alumni of the San Antonio Area Foundation Holt Values Based Leadership Program (2022)
• Woodridge Elementary School Alamo Heights, Carnival Committee (2022 and 2023)
• Sunday School Teacher, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (2021-Present)
•Art Museum Development Association (2016–2020)
• Junior League (2007–2018)
• Torchbearer's Leadership Class IV, Montgomery, AL (2012)
• Arts Council of the City of Montgomery (2011–2014)
Timeline
President & CEO
San Antonio Botanical Garden
11.2023 - Current
Director of Development
San Antonio Botanical Garden
05.2020 - 10.2023
Head of Development
McNay Art Museum
04.2019 - 05.2020
Head of Development
Briscoe Western Art Museum
05.2016 - 03.2019
Development Officer, Grants and Sponsorships
McNay Art Museum
06.2014 - 05.2016
Development Officer
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
04.2011 - 05.2014
Program Associate
El Pomar Foundation
01.2010 - 04.2011
Development Assistant
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
08.2009 - 01.2010
Research Assistant to former CO Governor Dick Lamm
University of Denver
09.2007 - 05.2009
Master of Public Policy -
University of Denver
Bachelor of Arts - American Studies and Government
University of Texas at Austin
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