Meet Stephanie Jutila

UNLOCKING THE PUZZLE

Meet Stephanie Jutila, the TBG’s new Executive Director By Lorraine Hunter

STEPHANIE JUTILA LOVES A GOOD PUZZLE. THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TORONTO BOTANICAL GARDEN COMPARES MANAGING ALL ASPECTS OF RUNNING AN EXPANDING BOTANICAL GARDEN TO PUTTING THE PIECES OF A JIGSAW PUZZLE INTO THE RIGHT PLACES.

Relationships, teamwork and inclusiveness are her keys to successfully unlocking the puzzle. “This is a very delicate time,” she says. “A time to take care and nurture. And to see the future through different viewpoints. There is not one of us who can see the whole picture. We can, however, paint it together. We need each others’ voices, inspiration and talents to make it whole. Everyone has to work together for the future and be part of the whole.”

Jutila comes to Toronto at an exciting time when the Garden with City of Toronto support is poised to expand from four to 35 acres. Her work background—connecting communities with nature and building sustainable non-profits— and education will stand her in good stead for the task ahead. Her career spans more than 23 years in non-profit and cultural organizations and includes extensive experience in public/private partnerships. During her nine-year tenure as the first President and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, in Des Moines, Iowa, Jutila guided the non-profit to increase its operating budget 15-fold, more than double its annual visitation, and invest more than USD $23 million in capital projects.

Jutila received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from the University of Minnesota where she also studied non-profit management and museum studies. She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Public Garden Association and notes that “2021 was one of the most successful years ever in horticulture with people thronging to public gardens. We need to cultivate that,” she notes. In addition to having visitors learning about the TBG’s future plans, she wants them “to see the Garden in its current state and enjoy it with great pride and joy.”

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

Moving her family including son Henry, 14, daughter Agnes, 7, and husband Tom Seltz, an insurance compliance analyst, not only to another city, but to a different country, has been a challenge for Jutila but she sees it as an exciting opportunity and was thrilled when Henry texted her following a short family exploration trip in snowy January to say “I’m glad we’re moving here! I love you.”

“We want the Garden and the community to welcome us. I want my family to be excited to explore our new city and join me in this adventure,” she said during an interview.

Jutila describes herself as “a citizen of the world,”regularly challenging herself and the teams she leads to view things from a global perspective. She did her research before committing to the big move. “I explored lots of jobs and places. I was attracted to Toronto, as it is a city that cares deeply for the world. The more I looked at Toronto and learned about TBG’s ambitions for the future, I knew that I had met my match. I chose the TBG and the TBG chose me.”

The family will move here this summer. “We are prepared to put down roots and be inspired by our new community.”

Stephanie Jutila, right, with her son Henry, husband Tom and daughter Agnes.

Growing up just 20 miles from the shores of Lake Superior in Cloquet, Minnesota, Jutila has had a lifelong love and respect for the Great Lakes and is happy to be living near the shore of a Great Lake once again. “Unless you live near the magnificent Great Lakes, most North Americans don’t know much about them,” she says.

Jutila’s paternal grandparents were Finnish immigrants who settled in the Minnesota lumber town where her grandfather became foreman of the lumber yard for Diamond Brands match company. She grew up on a wooded hillside with lots of birch and oak trees and remembers her maternal grandfather tapping the maple trees.

“I am in awe to realize how much Canada influenced my early years,” she said. “We were just a three-anda-half-hour drive from Thunder Bay, Ontario and we enjoyed products from Canada like Hershey’s Oh Henry Bars, Maple Crème Sandwich Cookies and drinks from The Pop Shoppe.”

It’s no wonder that Jutila’s love of nature led her to a career that embraces it. “To know the power of nature as a public garden professional comes with the responsibility to share the power of nature abundantly with all humankind,” she says. “One of the most important jobs for today’s public gardens is to continue to break down the barriers to create equitable access to healthy and inspiring natural environments. Equitable access to healthy and inspiring environments will create thriving communities.”

TREASURES RELATIONSHIPS

In addition to enjoying nature and spending time outdoors, Jutila treasures her relationships with other people. She gardens, does yoga and loves to cook and entertain. “My husband is my partner in entertaining. We enjoy bringing people to our home to share a meal and one another’s company.”

She is excited to learn more about Toronto’s Ravine Strategy as the TBG is part of the Wilket Creek ravine system. “Botanic gardens,” she says, “have an essential role in the modern world and a profound opportunity to guide future conversations focused on human and planetary well-being. At the very core, the conversation is about plants, people and science.”

Right now, her number one focus is that “while the pandemic is not going away, we can and will keep the Garden alive in people’s lives.”

Jutila is looking forward to meeting TBG members and volunteers. “I want people to know my name and face, to find me friendly and approachable. Send me an email,” she invites. “Tell me about your connection to the Garden. Share what the Garden means to you.”