The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe is gearing up for a major leadership change, with the board naming museum veteran Gretchen Baker as its next president and chief executive officer. She is slated to step into the role on March 16, 2026, succeeding Jean Franczyk, who has led the institution since 2016 and has told trustees she plans to retire next spring. Baker arrives with a résumé steeped in museum leadership, exhibitions and science storytelling across Chicago, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh, combining research experience with public-facing work.
The hire was first reported by Crain's Chicago Business, which also noted that board chair Michael R. Zimmerman praised Baker's "innovative ideas, passion for the natural world and approachability" in announcing the decision.
Baker most recently served as president and director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh and earlier oversaw exhibitions and public programs for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County and the Field Museum in Chicago, according to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Her portfolio there and in prior posts has included large-scale exhibition renewals, bilingual programming and experiments with virtual and augmented reality storytelling that organizers say helped broaden access to science.
A Living Museum With Global Reach
Set on 385 acres in Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden bills itself as a living museum, with 28 display gardens, research facilities, and urban agriculture programs that stretch its reach well beyond the North Shore. The Garden's annual report notes that Franczyk is scheduled to retire in March 2026 as the leadership search wraps up, per the Chicago Botanic Garden. The institution is also preparing to co-host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in 2027 alongside The Morton Arboretum, an international gathering of botanic garden professionals that will put the Glencoe campus in a global spotlight.
Reflecting on her career, Baker told Crain's Chicago Business that plants "have been braided into her entire career," and said she is eager to emphasize conservation and public engagement at the Garden. The outlet reported that trustees were drawn to the rural Illinois native's blend of scientific grounding and exhibit know-how when making their pick.
What To Expect Next
Given Baker's track record in exhibitions and community engagement, described in detail by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and reflected in her work with the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, it is reasonable to expect freshened public programming, stronger community partnerships and more direct science communication to be on the table. Her March 2026 start date leaves a long runway for working with staff and donors on the handoff ahead of the Garden's busy event calendar, including the 2027 congress.
The board and Baker have not yet shared a detailed roadmap for her first year, but the choice signals a clear focus on exhibitions, science and community as the Glencoe institution prepares for a more visible role on the global stage. This story will be updated as the Garden releases a formal announcement and a more specific transition timeline.
