The Portland Japanese Garden has named Lisa Christy as its new Executive Director. Christy, who has been a fixture at the garden since 2014, will be bringing her extensive experience to the forefront as she steps up from her role as Chief External Affairs Officer—a position she's held for the last five years.
Christy has managed to consistently improve guest experiences and boost the garden's profile. According to a Willamette Week report, CEO Steve Bloom has praised her efforts, saying, "Lisa has greatly improved our guest experience and outreach and has fostered deep and meaningful ties to our community." Steve Bloom also highlighted her "remarkable empathy" as a crucial ingredient in maintaining the garden's mission of inspiring peace and harmony.
Christy's ascension comes after a tenure where she has achieved significant milestones, including driving up record admissions numbers and contributing to the garden's expansion from 5.5 acres to 12. As recounted by the Portland Japanese Garden's official announcement, her leadership has been a stabilizing force, especially during the unpredictable waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new Executive Director brings a unique perspective from her previous decade-long experience at Wieden + Kennedy, known for their award-winning campaigns. This expertise will now to certainly benefit the daily operations of the Japanese Garden, including admissions, retail, and cafe management, among others. "During my 10 years with the organization, I have personally witnessed how much the garden means to our community," Christy conveyed in a statement obtained by Willamette Week.
Christy's dedication to the relationship between the garden and the community is evident, as she continues to serve as a volunteer member on the board of directors for the Japan-America Society of Oregon. The Portland Japanese Garden, a peaceful haven well over half a century old, is set to bloom under Christy's direction with a commitment to maintaining serenity, beauty, and peace for all visitors.
