Nonprofit names 25-year professional to VP, chief advancement officer position

SARASOTA — With nearly 25 years in philanthropic development, and a proven track record, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has found its next vice president and chief advancement officer in Marlo Turner. 

A veteran fundraising and development professional, Turner will assume the position in January. , Turner previously served as VP of development at Tidewell Foundation and senior VP of philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The latter of which she helped grow to more than $400 million in assets, according to a statement,

“As Selby Gardens embarks on its exciting future, we are thrilled to welcome Marlo to this vital leadership role with our organization,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in the statement. “Her experience and knowledge of the community are invaluable.”

Turner joins Selby Gardens at an exciting and dynamic time, Rominiecki noted in the release, with the realization of the Master Plan for the Downtown Sarasota campus underway. “Marlo will get to work immediately assisting philanthropists who wish to invest in the bright future of Selby Gardens,” she says. “Many of our donors already know Marlo well, and those who haven’t yet met her are going to love her.”

The botanical gardens are spread across 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries with a downtown Sarasota campus and a location in the Osprey area of the county. Currently, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has more than $25 million in assets.