Botanic Gardens of Sydney farewells Chief Executive Denise Ora

Botanic Gardens of Sydney is soon to farewell Chief Executive, Denise Ora, after nearly a decade of service.

Denise joined the organisation in 2014 and was appointed Chief Executive in 2019. She is the first female Chief Executive in the organisation’s 203-year history. 

Under her leadership, the Gardens celebrated significant achievements including: 

• The construction of the new National Herbarium of NSW at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
• The global launch of the Australian Institute of Botanical Science
• The Gardens’ first ever comprehensive Living Collections Strategy 
• The inaugural First Nations Engagement Strategy and Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
• The unification of the Gardens’ digital channels and brands; and  
• The digitisation of the globally significant Herbarium collection

Denise is moving to a newly created role, Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Memorial Parks. Her experience, understanding, and fresh perspective from leading Botanic Gardens will be invaluable to the newly amalgamated cemetery land manager. 

In an outgoing statement, Denise expressed her heartfelt thanks to Botanic Gardens staff.  

“I wish to thank each and every one of you for this extraordinary opportunity and journey I have been on. I could not be prouder of the teams we have assembled across our sites, creating a resilient and innovative organisation that has continued to exceed,” she said. 

“I leave knowing that the Gardens are in a strong position, with staff who excel at what they do, an Executive who are outstanding in every way, a passionate and engaged Board, and a supportive Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens.”  

Denise’s last day with Botanic Gardens will be Friday 19 January 2024, and Professor Brett Summerell will act as Chief Executive whilst a recruitment process takes place in early 2024.