Megan Cooper Bibelhauser promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Experience; Molly Young assumes role of Director of Membership & Volunteer Engagement; Keri Foy joins organization as Director of Marketing and Communications
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Waterfront Botanical Gardens has promoted Megan Cooper Bibelhauser to Vice President of Marketing and Experience, appointed Molly Young to Director of Membership & Volunteer Engagement, and welcomed Keri Foy as Director of Marketing and Communications. The leadership changes come as the Gardens continues a period of rapid expansion with Phase 2A of the Master Plan coming to fruition next spring.
Bibelhauser, who joined Waterfront Botanical Gardens in January 2023 as Director of Marketing and Communications, will take on an expanded leadership role overseeing the Gardens’ public-facing experience, including marketing and communications, guest services, events and venue rentals, membership, and volunteer engagement. As Vice President of Marketing and Experience, Bibelhauser will help lead strategies to grow visitation, audience engagement and earned revenue while supporting the Gardens’ long-term vision. In her previous role, Megan played a pivotal part in growing annual visitation by nearly 60 percent in just three years, while also significantly growing net revenue for events including Bonsai Weekend and Gardens Aglimmer.
“Megan has played an important role in telling the story of Waterfront Botanical Gardens and connecting our community to everything happening here,” said Philip Koester, President and CEO of Waterfront Botanical Gardens. “As the Gardens continue to evolve, we are thinking strategically about how the visitor experience must grow with it. Megan’s expanded role reflects our commitment to creating meaningful connections at every touchpoint: from the first time someone hears about the Gardens, to their experience on our grounds, and their relationship with us for years to come.”
Foy joined Waterfront Botanical Gardens in August as Director of Marketing and Communications, succeeding Bibelhauser in the position. Foy brings more than 15 years of communications leadership experience across corporate, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. As founder and lead consultant of Rae Communications, she has worked with organizations including GE Appliances, Baptist Health Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, and Hope Scarves. Her experience spans communications strategy, fundraising and donor communications, community partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and integrated marketing campaigns.
Additionally, Molly Young has been promoted to Director of Membership and Volunteer Engagement, creating a strong sense of community engagement and support for the Gardens. Molly boasts 24 years of non-profit leadership experience, including the last five years at the Gardens as Senior Manager, Membership & Volunteers. During her tenure at the Gardens, she grew volunteer engagement 60 percent to nearly 250 volunteers who oversee the day-to-day operations of the Gardens representing more than $250,000 in annual labor revenue. She also manages the membership program, which has more than 1,800 members and an 89 percent retention rate, well above the industry benchmark of 60 percent.
“This is an extraordinary time to join Waterfront Botanical Gardens. As our physical footprint and visitor experiences continue to expand, the leadership of these individuals will help us share that growth with the community and invite even more people to discover and connect with the Gardens,” said Koester. “Strengthening our leadership team alongside the expansion of our campus positions us to welcome more people, deepen our community impact and continue building the future of Waterfront Botanical Gardens.”
The leadership changes coincide with continued progress on Phase 2A of the Gardens’ Master Plan, an expansion that includes the Graeser Family Bonsai Garden, Joe and Debbie Graviss Bonsai House, Tree Allée, Beargrass Creek Overlook, and completed Beargrass Creek Pathway loop. This phase is slated for completion in May 2027. Additionally, thanks to a $4 million EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant awarded to the Gardens in July, remediation of further acreage will begin in 2027, paving the way for more meadows and walking paths, an event lawn, and additional green spaces.
For More Information:
Keri Foy, Director of Marketing & Communications – kfoy@waterfrontgardens.org