Power Moves: PHS announces two recent executive team hires

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society recently announced that it appointed Nancy Boutté Finn its chief  development officer in November of last year; the organization appointed Erin Dunkel as vice president of marketing and communication in October. Both roles are considered part of the executive team that will be involved in expanding four specific areas of service in advance of the organization’s 200th anniversary in 2027:

• increasing access to healthy food;
• creating better living environments;
• building deeper social
  connections;
• growing economic opportunity.

Prior to joining PHS, Finn served as the director of leadership annual giving at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Before that she served as the director of membership at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the assistant director of membership at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

“Nancy’s track record of success at leading nonprofits in Philadelphia and in California
made her the perfect candidate for PHS,” president Matt Rader said in the emailed announcement about the appointments. “Nancy is going to be one of the keys in helping us increase our impact by expanding our support base regionally and beyond to advance Vision 2027.”

Finn holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and a master’s degree from the Edward S. Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University.

Dunkel came to PHS after a year of consulting work at RPM Communications, a company of which she was principal from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that she had served in marketing roles ranging from director to vice president at a number of companies, including: the Haverford Trust Company, Systech International, Binary Tree, Decision One, Psychotherapy Associates, Cadient Group and Phoenix Management Services.

“One of the things that stood out about Erin was her leadership experience in multiple
industries, including nonprofits. Her ability to plan and execute strategy, and experience
in leading communications teams is what elevated her above other candidates,”
PHS chief marketing officer Lisa Stephano said in the announcement.

Dunkel holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary, and a master’s degree from the Carey Business School of John Hopkins University. She has served on the board of Radnor Boys Crew Club, and was the chair of the publicity committee of SS. Colman-John Neumann School.