San Antonio Botanical Garden CEO Sabina Carr has been appointed as the incoming president and CEO by the board of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and will begin her new role in Dallas at the end of November.

“After an international search of exceptional nonprofit and public garden leaders, the Dallas Arboretum is thrilled to welcome Sabina Carr as our new president and CEO,” Will McDaniel, chair of the Dallas Arboretum board of directors, said in a statement. “Sabina has an incredible track record of growth and innovation — skills that will benefit the Dallas Arboretum as we build on our legacy of excellence.”

In her new role, Carr will oversee strategic vision and direct all operations of the 66-acre garden.

The Dallas Arboretum welcomes more than 1 million visitors from across the country and approximately 70 countries worldwide each year. The organization has nearly 45,000 member households, it said.

[Photo: Dallas Arboretum]

“I’m honored to be selected to lead the Dallas Arboretum, an organization and place that I’ve respected and loved for many years,” Carr said in a statement. “The Dallas Arboretum is known across the country and around the world for its stunning gardens and robust programming. I look forward to continuing that momentum through my passions for public-private gardens, philanthropy and community engagement.”

A leader in public gardens

The Dallas Arboretum said that Carr is a nationally recognized leader in public gardens.

During her four years as CEO of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Carr has more than doubled annual visits and organization membership by adding unique programming and championing community access.

She also finalized a successful $40 million capital campaign in spring 2021 that transformed the organization with new gardens, facilities, and amenities.

Before joining the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Carr was vice president of marketing for the Atlanta Botanical Garden for more than 15 years. She is past president of the American Public Gardens Association, and the Garden Club of America honored her innovative leadership with its prestigious Civic Club Improvement Commendation Award in 2022.

“My family is from Dallas, and I have wonderful memories of spending summers here growing up,” Carr said. “I’d always hoped my career would lead me back to this wonderful place.”

Carr is an alumna of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.

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