Board

Melanie first encountered the Dunn Gardens at a lecture on its history and the role of the Olmstead Brothers in its design and evolution. As a landscape architect in the Pacific Northwest, the impact of the Olmsted legacy has always been a major interest of hers. Like everyone else who initially visits the gardens, it was love at first sight, with its stately trees, extensive plant collection and open space. She holds a BA in political science from Vassar College and an MLA from Cornell University.

Melanie has practiced landscape architecture in the PNW and the Seattle area for over 40 years. Her work has focused on public campuses, parks, streetscapes, green infrastructure and affordable housing. She brings a keen interest in creating open spaces that provide accessible and inclusive experiences, and enhance the understanding and appreciation of natural ecosystems.

Katherine grew up in Seattle, WA in the Dunn Gardens playing on the Great Lawn. She went to Wheaton College in Massachusetts and graduated with a major in Economics and minor in Hispanic Studies. After graduation, Kat moved back to Seattle and began working for Nordstrom. She currently works for the Nordstrom Rack Merchandising Group as an Assistant Buyer in Women’s Shoes. Kat says, “In my spare time I enjoy trying new Seattle restaurants as well as old favorites!”

Janet Egger comes to Dunn Gardens after retiring from an extensive career in horticulture. She holds a B.S. in Botany and an M.S. in Horticulture from UC Davis. Her most recent job was as head plant breeder for Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. in Canby, Oregon from 2000 to 2018. Plants Janet bred for Terra Nova Nurseries include Heuchera,  Heucherella, Tiarella, Sedum, Kniphofia, Agastache, Penstemon, Phygelius among others. She wrote and managed their plant patents and plant data base as well.  Her email address includes the word orchid, a reflection of her long standing interest in plants. Dunn Gardens is delighted to have such an accomplished horticulturalist join our board.

Originally from Bellevue WA, Connor moved to Seattle after attending Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, where he studied Economics and Math. Since graduation he’s worked as a Software Engineer at several local tech companies, most recently Redfin.com.

Connor is an avid home gardener who enjoys designing & implementing permaculture systems in his yard in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. He is particularly interested in the challenges and opportunities afforded by our native biome, and how to create robust small-scale ecosystems.

Outside of gardening, Connor is an avid musician and runner. He also coached youth soccer for his childhood club for 6 years.

Connor joined the board in the Summer of 2023. He plans to draw on past experiences in event planning and organizational advisory to help vitalize Dunn Gardens’ event calendar & membership experience.

Gil became acquainted with Ed Dunn from the early 1980s at garden parties hosted by Ed’s childhood friend and First Hill neighbor Webb W. Trimble. Webb and his wife Elizabeth were long time friends of the Joynt family. After the E.B. Dunn Historic Garden Trust was established in 1993 Gil became an early member. The Trust’s mission to protect and interpret the historic Olmsted-designed landscape was a good fit with Gil’s durable support for local heritage organizations such as Historic Seattle and MOHI as well as the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society, which he served as board president. Since his retirement after thirty-three years in procurement contracts and audit at The Boeing Company he enjoys travel far and wide, playing tennis and serving as a docent at Dunn Gardens.

Ruth Kagi’s mother was a good friend of Dort Bailey, whose home she now lives in. She remembers coming to the garden with her mom and spending time with Pat Dunn. Ruth is a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 32nd district. She holds a BA from the University of Washington and an MPA from Syracuse University.

Ruth served as the Chair of the Center for Human Services Board in Shoreline; Vice-President of the League of Women Voters of Washington, Chair of the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Chair of the Seattle Commission on Children and Youth.  She also served on the Boards of Treehouse, the Shoreline Community College Foundation, and numerous other local human services commissions and boards. Prior to running for the legislature Ruth operated her own public policy consulting business. She also owns and manages a commercial property in Lynnwood.

Chuck attended several Northwest Horticultural Society (NHS) events at the Dunn Gardens. During a Dunn Garden organized garden trip to New Zealand he met and got to know several Dunn Gardens board and staff members. Upon his return they recruited him to the Board.

Chuck has also been on the NHS Board for about 5 years. He currently serves as a Vice President and Chairperson for 3 committees including Finance and Budget, Plant Sale, and Board Development/Nominating.

Chuck’s career included Research Scientist and Laboratory Management in the University Of Washington Department Of Pathology for 32 years. Significant responsibilities included research project development and execution, grant writing and management of staff and laboratories for the study of the genetics and cell biology of aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Chuck holds a. B.S in Microbiology, B.S. in Botany, and M.S. in Pathology all from University of Washington.