Desert Botanical Garden Welcomes Steve Erickson as New Chief Learning Officer

Desert Botanical Garden is excited to welcome Steve Erickson as its Chief Learning Officer (CLO), a new leadership role that will ensure learning is a driving force that deepens engagement with the Garden, inspires stewardship for the natural world and increase the Garden’s involvement in the community and beyond.

Erickson will start in early June.

As CLO, Erickson will lead and expand the Garden’s education department while also serving as the newest member of the Garden’s Leadership Team. He will play a key role in developing the Garden’s next strategic plan, working closely with members of the Board of Trustees, the Education Committee and all the current staff of the Education Department.

Currently, Erickson is the Teach For America Phoenix executive director responsible for the direction, impact and success of the nonprofit’s local program. Erickson joined Teach For America as a corps member in 2005, where he taught fourth grade and seventh grade in West Phoenix. He then joined the Teach For America national recruitment team, where he was responsible for doubling the number of candidates joining Teach For America from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. As part of Teach For America’s Phoenix regional staff, he has played various roles and led multiple functions, including fundraising, public and government affairs, partnerships, and alumni strategy. 

Erickson will provide the strategic vision and leadership needed to position the Garden as a national leader in education by 2035. He will oversee and expand all educational initiatives, including K-12 programming for schools, the Desert Landscape School for professionals and homeowners, a comprehensive informal learning program for adults and developing the Garden’s forthcoming Children and Family Garden. Additionally, Erickson will lead the acclaimed Volunteers in the Garden program.

“I am honored to join Desert Botanical Garden at such a pivotal moment. Education has the power to transform our relationship with the natural world, and I look forward to leading initiatives that will inspire visitors of all ages to become active stewards of the Sonoran Desert,” Erickson said.

Erickson and his wife live in Central Phoenix with their four children. He is an active member of the Asian professional community as a member of Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders (ACEL). The son and grandson of Chinese immigrants, Steve deeply believes that the opportunity to pursue an excellent education can change the trajectory of entire families. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona and an executive MBA from Arizona State University.