ABOUT

Nicola Ripley

President

(970) 476-0103 x6
nicola@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Born in the British Isles, Nicola learned a love of alpine plants in the Scottish and Welsh Mountains. Nicola has a BS in Biology and an MS in Ecology. Nicola has traveled widely giving talks, collecting seed and studying alpine flora.
Nicola has been with the Gardens for almost twenty years in different capacities and has been the Director since 2011. Nicola was Board Member of the American Public Gardens Association for 7 years serving a 2 year term as President. She is the recipient of the 2016 Award of Merit from the North American Rock Garden Society and the 2017 Service Award from the American Public Gardens Association.

Ellen Lorenz

Operations Manager

(970) 476-0103 x3
info@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Ellen moved to Colorado to obtain a degree in environmental science and philosophy from CU Boulder. She has spent the last ten years in the high rockies cultivating a love for the alpine, which she serves through her volunteer work with the Front Range Pika Project and other local efforts. Having held positions at environmental nonprofits and an award winning wedding planning company, Ellen is driven by her passions for environmental sustainability, detail and organization.
When she’s not working alongside her colleagues ensuring the Gardens are as impactful and efficeint as possible, she is on a river, mountain or trail.

Amanda Goodwin

Horticulture Manager
amanda@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Amanda joined our team in the spring of 2024. She comes from a design-build background by way of the local landscaping industry in the Vail Valley. Before her 10 years here in the Rockies, she served as a reclamation specialist for oil and gas activity on the Western Slope. Her previous life consisted of multiple professional architectural endeavors and school… lots and lots of school. She received a Master of Landscape Architecture from Utah State University where she studied phytoremediation and sustainable practices. Prior, she received a Master of Science in Architecture from Norwich University in Vermont, where too late she realized her love of organic materials over man-made ones.

As a child in Massachusetts, Amanda found yard work insufferable and would often climb a tree and refuse to come down if raking or weeding was involved. Today, when she isn’t cultivating the Alpine Gardens with sheer joy, she is likewise nurturing her home gardens and embracing the irony of her truth. Winters reveals her inner ‘ski-bum’, (her parents met in the ‘singles-line’) and she also enjoys a good fungi forage, and prospecting for mineral specimens with her pup Marshall. 

Susan Swimm

Gift Shop Buyer & Manager

Susan Swimm came to the Vail Valley from Scotland in 1991. Susan is the vision behind the Gardens’ Vail Village Gift Shop. After graduating college in Scotland with a degree in Retail Display & Merchandising and British Display Society Diplomas I & II, she began a career with the House Of Fraser Retail Group. Their sister Scottish store is “Frasers of Buchanan Street” (think Harrods of London!), in the heart of Glasgow’s City Center. This is where Susan spent 5 magical years dressing windows and decorating everything from Chanel to kitchen utensils! Susan worked with the Paris, Ralph Lauren display team in creating, designing and building their first store in Scotland which was located within Frasers. Susan launched dozens of fragrances, skin care, and cosmetic companies as well as designer lines such as Mulberry, Hermes, and Armani.

Susan began to get “itchy feet” in the early ’90s. So with the USA calling her name, she left all she loved and arrived in New York with no real idea of what her plan was or where it would lead. Fate “or destiny!” would bring Susan to the Vail Valley after months of adventures touring this great and vast land! She drove into Vail, decided to stay for a few weeks before heading back on her return ticket to Scotland….familiar story here in the Vail Valley! Susan never left and the Valley is brighter for it.

Gabe Starr

Education Director

(970) 476-0103 x7
gabe@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Gabe first arrived in Eagle County in 2009 to complete a graduate fellowship in Environmental Education at Walking Mountains Science Center. Following the completion of that program she began working at Vail Mountain School, where she taught Environmental Science and developed the educational greenhouse program. With a degree in Environmental Science and Education from the University of Michigan Gabe’s passion for creating curriculum and working with learners of all ages has led her to her dream job here at the Gardens. Sharing the wonders of nature and tapping into the curiosity of young (or young-at-heart) minds—what could be better?! An avid lover of plants, Gabe will continue to nurture a deep love for the environment and education, while cultivating both growth and discovery in residents and visitors alike.

Colin Lee

Senior Horticulturist

colin@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

My interest in plants all began my junior year in high school when my science teacher asked me to help choose a subject to learn about for a semester in our class. With inspiration from my mother’s garden & trips to botanic gardens, I chose botany. Little did I know, that simple choice would set me on a career path to become a horticulturist at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
As soon as that semester in high school ended I knew I’d be studying plant science in college. I started my collegiate studies at Metropolitan State College of Denver studying plant biology, & eventually transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins where I obtained my degree in horticulture & a minor in botany. I found Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in 2016 when I was granted an internship opportunity during my junior year at CSU, & each summer since then I have been asked to come back as seasonal staff to help the gardens continue to grow & bloom. I am honored to become a part of BFAG’s full time staff & to continue my pursuit in becoming a professional horticulturist. I look forward to exploring my potential here at the gardens as well as exploring more of the Rocky Mountains that I’ve always called home.  I am very grateful & humbled in where I am & how I got here, & I look forward to working with all types of plants & people in this amazing alpine environment we have here in Vail, Colorado.

Nanette Kuich

Research Scientist

nanette@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Nanette became a part of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens with the design & building of the Education Center, completed in 2015, & has been responsible for all educational programming. She holds a Master’s Degree in Science Education Free Choice Learning from Oregon State University.

Nanette grew up on the East end of Long Island, NY, received a B.A. in Earth & Space Sciences from State University of New York at Stony Brook, & taught secondary science and math for two years before heading to west to attend graduate school at the University of Texas, Dallas.  She worked as a geologist & geochemist for two major oil companies for 19 years before moving to Colorado.  Plant science became an interest through the Colorado State University Extension’s Master Gardener & Native Plant Master Programs, where she instructed for both.

Melissa Ebone

Vice President of Development

(970) 476-0103 x5
melissa@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

“What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” The answer to this question brought Melissa Ebone, Development Director, to Colorado almost a decade ago. She discovered the call of the mountains during her time as a counselor at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, CO & had dreams to make the West her full-time home.
She recently graduated from ILD, the Institute for Leaders in Development, a professional program for fundraisers through Denver University. When she’s not in the office, you can often find her guiding backcountry & international expeditions, sharing her love of discovery & the outdoors with young people from around the world. Before arriving at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Melissa was leading the fundraising & community partner efforts at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Burn Camps Program. This is a rehabilitative medical speciality program designed to help pediatric burn survivors heal together in a community of their peers. Wherever she is, Melissa loves building community & creating good together.

Emily Griffoul

Conservation Scientist

(970)476-0103 x8
emily@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Emily joined the Gardens in the summer of 2020 as the new Conservation Scientist. She has worked on ecological and conservation research all over the West, but fell in love with the unique beauty of alpine plants and the magic of Colorado. Emily is leading the implementation of the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation, a blueprint developed by the Gardens to promote understanding and protection of vulnerable alpine species and habitats through ex-situ collections, surveys and mapping of alpine areas and rare plants, collaborations with partners in other gardens and federal agencies, and public engagement. She received a Master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of California, Irvine, and previously worked for The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, where she worked to build a Tree Observatory with the Center for Tree Science. Emily is particularly interested in connecting and engaging with the public and invites everyone to come learn about conservation science and what we can do to protect alpine habitats.

Jeri Powles

Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Susan Frampton

Chair

A 40-plus-year resident of Vail, Susan Frampton brings a deep commitment to the community and a passion for alpine conservation to her role as Chair of the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, she earned a degree in Elementary Education from Coker College before pursuing a career in teaching. In 1981, Susan and her family relocated to Vail when her husband, Harry, accepted the position of President of Vail Associates. 

Susan has been an active leader and mentor across numerous Vail organizations, serving on the boards of Vail Mountain School, the Bright Future Foundation, the Family Learning Center, and the Arts in Public Places Board. She has also played a vital role in the Vail Valley Foundation, leading social event planning for the World Ski Championships in 1989, 1999, and 2015. 

Since joining the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens board in 2013 and becoming Chair in 2017, Susan has helped guide the Gardens’ efforts in alpine plant conservation, global seed-sharing initiatives, climate research, educational programming, and public engagement.  She is dedicated to ensuring that the Gardens continue to serve as a global leader in protecting fragile mountain ecosystems and inspiring future generations to appreciate and preserve the natural world.

Linda Hill

Linda brings more than 45 years of marketing and advertising expertise to her role on the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. After earning her degree from San Diego State University, she began her career in destination marketing and communications. As the owner of one of Vail’s premier marketing and advertising agencies, she led full-service campaigns for destination marketing organizations, hospitality groups, healthcare providers, and numerous non-profits across the Rocky Mountain region.

Her passion for the Gardens is rooted in its mission to protect alpine environments through education, conservation, and living plant collections. Linda is committed to advancing the Gardens’ work in seed collection and banking, climate research, and conservation education—helping to build global awareness of the urgent challenges facing fragile high-alpine ecosystems.

A dedicated community member,  Linda has worked with and served many of the businesses and non-profit organizations In Colorado. She served as President and Board Member of the Vail Edwards Rotary Club, oversees the Rotary Youth Exchange program, and has worked internationally on clean water, education, and environmental initiatives. She also served on the Board of Foresight Ski Guides, helping visually impaired skiers enjoy the outdoors. 

A full-time Valley resident, Linda traded the ocean for the mountains decades ago and has been a lifelong advocate for environmental stewardship. An avid skier, hiker, and runner, she and her husband raised their two children in the Valley, embracing the outdoor lifestyle and the community’s deep connection to nature.

June Rossetti

Vice Chair

June Rossetti brings an extensive history of volunteerism and community engagement to her role as Vice Chair of the board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  She has served in a variety of leadership roles at philanthropic organizations across Colorado, Connecticut and Massachusetts including those dedicated to alleviating poverty, improving education and preserving the environment.   In addition, as Vice President of the Paul and June Rossetti Foundation, June focuses on supporting programs dedicated to forest health, forest regeneration, water availability, and regenerative agriculture across the United States. 

A lifelong gardener and passionate advocate for conservation, June blends a deep personal connection to horticulture with an unwavering dedication to promoting sustainable practices. Her own garden, a meticulously designed acre and a half in Fairfield, Connecticut, earned the distinguished honor of being archived at the Smithsonian Institute for its literary and historical significance.

Kathy Borgen

Kathy Borgen brings a wealth of experience in conservation and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship to her role on the board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. As one of the original members of the board and its Vice Chairman for many years, Kathy has played a pivotal role in shaping the Gardens’ vision and guiding its growth into a world-class center for alpine plant conservation and education. With a lifelong passion for gardening and a solid understanding of sustainable practices, she has consistently advanced initiatives that protect natural landscapes and foster community engagement with the environment.

Throughout her life and career, Kathy has been a leader in promoting environmental awareness and sustainable solutions, both within the Gardens and beyond. In addition to her long tenure serving the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, she is a founding board member of Colorado’s Walking Mountains, where she served as Board President. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Iliff School of Theology from which she earned her Masters, the Rocky Mountain Land Library, the President’s Advisory Council at Colorado Mountain College, and the Advisory Council of the Center for Environmental, Ecological Design and Sustainability at Smith College, from which she graduated with a degree in microbiology. Her former board service includes notable organizations such as the Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Eagle Valley Land Trust, Rachel’s Network (Board Chair), and the Sonoran Institute.

Kathy’s extensive educational and professional background in conservation-related initiatives reflects her unwavering dedication to preserving fragile ecosystems. Her insight and enthusiasm continue to help ensure that Betty Ford Alpine Gardens remains a global leader in the conservation of alpine flora and the education of future generations. 

Holly Elliott

Holly Elliott has been a member of the Vail community since 1975, bringing a lifelong passion for the outdoors, conservation, and community service to her role on the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. She has served on the boards of the Vail Youth Symposium, The Women’s Foundation, and Walking Mountains Science School, while also contributing to numerous fundraising and philanthropic initiatives.

Alongside her husband, Buck, Holly co-founded Paragon Guides, a backcountry guiding service that has introduced countless adventurers to the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. She stays connected to nature through hiking, Nordic skiing, and caring for multiple pets and a herd of llamas. A dedicated gardener, Holly’s appreciation for alpine flora is reflected in her support of the Gardens’ initiatives to promote and protect the fragile ecosystem.

Pedro Campos

Pedro Campos brings nearly three decades of experience in landscape architecture and land planning to his role on the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. A licensed landscape architect in Colorado, he has dedicated his career to creating sustainable, innovative designs that harmonize human development with the natural environment. His work has shaped communities across the Intermountain West, with a particular focus on the mountain towns and resort destinations of Colorado’s Western Slope. Pedro holds a Bachelor of Integrative Arts from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, where he received the ASLA Honor Award for Excellence in Landscape Architecture. 

A native of Portugal, Pedro remains deeply connected to his Mediterranean heritage while embracing life in Colorado. Now a longtime resident, he brings a rich perspective on the cultural and ecological connections between landscapes. His passion lies in designing public spaces, recreation areas, parks, and open spaces that strengthen communities and foster a deeper connection to nature.

Jill Posnick

Jill Posnick brings more than 30 years of leadership and advisory experience across diverse industries to her role on the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. She began her career in finance and, after earning an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, built a career leading strategic marketing, communications, and fundraising efforts for companies in the consulting, technology, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Jill most recently brought her expertise in strategic branding, media relations, and digital marketing to leadership roles at the Milken Institute, Accenture, and her own consultancy.

A longtime summer resident of Vail, Jill is passionate about connecting people to the Gardens’ mission of alpine conservation and education, ensuring that visitors and supporters alike recognize its unique beauty and global significance.

Samantha Thompson

Originally from Macon, Georgia, Samantha Thompson has called Colorado home since 1995. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she first arrived in the Rockies for what was meant to be a single winter season—one that has now lasted over 30 years. After meeting her husband during her second year in Aspen, the couple moved a few times before settling in the Vail Valley.

With a career rooted in event planning, Samantha specializes in nonprofit fundraising events, bringing her expertise in strategic planning, donor engagement, and large-scale event execution to organizations that make a difference. She also spent time in New York City as an event manager, planning high-profile corporate events before returning to Colorado to focus on mission-driven initiatives.

Samantha’s deep appreciation for nature, community, and philanthropy aligns seamlessly with the mission of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. As a board member, she is dedicated to supporting the gardens’ conservation efforts, educational programs, and fundraising initiatives to ensure this alpine treasure continues to thrive for generations to come.
When not planning events or contributing to the gardens, Samantha enjoys the outdoor lifestyle that first drew her to Colorado, embracing all that the mountains have to offer.

Jim Wear

The recipient of the 2020 Vail Valley Partnership Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Commitment to Service, Jim Wear brings more than four decades of legal expertise and community leadership to his role on the Board of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. He is a founding partner at Wear, Travers, Perkins Law Firm in Edwards, Colorado, where his practice has focused on resort real estate development, operations, acquisitions, and sales across many of Colorado’s premier mountain resort communities, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen.

In addition to his legal work, Jim has held leadership roles in the resort industry, including serving on the board and management committee of the Telluride Ski and Golf Company and twice stepping in as interim Chief Operating Officer. He has also served on the boards of the Vail Valley Partnership, Vail Valley Foundation, Bravo! Vail, and the Beaver Creek Metropolitan District.

Jim earned his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, and the occasional day on the slopes. He has two children who were born and raised in the Vail Valley; both are Vail Mountain School graduates and now live with their families in Charleston, South Carolina, and Laguna Beach, California, respectively. Jim resides with this wife Sharon in Edwards.

Jeanne Fritch

Jeanne Fritch is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast whose appreciation for nature has shaped both her personal and professional journey. An avid skier, hiker, backpacker, and gardener, she first came to Vail in 1974 when her parents moved the family from Chicago to become owners of the Sitzmark Lodge. While Jeanne initially pursued a career in software engineering and consulting, the pull of the Vail Valley brought her back to the family business in 2008, where she worked alongside her parents as general manager and eventually as owner until 2022.

Jeanne’s mother, Helen Fritch, was a co-founder of the Gardens. Jeanne joined the Board of Directors in 2017 to carry on her mother’s legacy and to support the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens’ mission as a leading global advocate for the alpine environment. She is passionate about ensuring the Gardens continue to inspire and educate future generations on the importance of conservation, sustainability, and the unique beauty of alpine ecosystems.

Nick Courtens

Curator of Plant Collections

(970) 476-0103 x4
nick@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Born in upstate NY, Nick grew up on an organic vegetable CSA farm where he developed a passion for plants & growing. Nick graduated from Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Training Program & made his way west for a summer internship at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in May 2010. Nick is responsible for growing, maintaining, & developing the plant collections. He has traveled around the world studying rock gardens & alpine plants & has given several presentations to plant societies & botanic gardens.