Fellow: Katie Elzer-Peters

Fellow recognizes a member in good standing who has demonstrated exceptionally high degrees of skill, professional ethics, and dedication to GardenComm’s mission and values. Two Fellows may be named each year.

Honoree Katie Elzer-Peters is considered a master of networking in the horticultural industry, thanks to her garden marketing and public relations business, The Garden of Words, LLC. She has authored seventeen books.

Fellow: Jessica Walliser

Honoree Jessica Walliser is a horticulturist and the award-winning author of seven gardening books. Walliser works as the editorial director for The Quarto Group’s garden book publishing imprint, Cool Springs Press.Jessica is a two-time winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award.

The Green Medal Award: Heather Holm

The Green Medal Award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals or allied organizations dedicated to wise and respectful care of the Earth, and implementation of sustainable and regenerative practices.

Honoree Heather Holm is a pollinator conservationist and award-winning author of four books, two of which earned the American Horticultural Society’s Book Award. Her work, including her pollinator photos, has been featured in the New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and local publications.

The Emergent Communicator Award: Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago

The Emergent Communicator Award recognizes a member under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptionally high degrees of skill, professional ethics, and dedication to GardenComm's mission and values.

Honoree Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago, a member since 2016, leads interactive Garden Break experiences, helping teams and organizations embrace nature as a tool for wellness. Her first book, ¡Verdura! Living a Garden Life, was published in Spanish and English in 2024.

Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award: Dr. Allan Armitage

The Emergent Communicator Award recognizes a member under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptionally high degrees of skill, professional ethics, and dedication to GardenComm's mission and values.

Honoree Dr. Allan Armitage has written seventeen books, countless academic papers, and hundreds of articles for professional and weekend gardeners, including a monthly column in the national publication Greenhouse Grower for more than 40 years.

The Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished Service Medal: Iseli Nursery

The Wilfred J. Jung Distinguished Service Medal honors a GardenComm allied trade member that, as a company, has promoted gardening, helped expand the profession of garden communications, and supported the overall objectives of GardenComm and its membership.

Honoree Iseli Nursery of Oregon, wholesale growers of rare and beautiful trees and shrubs, has been a supportive allied member of GardenComm for more than a decade, providing sponsorships for in-person and virtual conferences.

Corporate Leadership and Impact Award : Sandra Reid

The Corporate Leadership and Impact Award recognizes the accomplishments of individuals who make a global impact through their programs and sustainable initiatives within corporations and organizations.

Honoree Sandra Reid is vice president, corporate communications, and strategic planning at The Davey Tree Expert Company. Davey has a long-standing tradition of giving back across the U.S. and Canada and under Sandee’s leadership, the corporate communications team has strengthened its reach in brand awareness, industry recognition and employee engagement. Sandee is an enthusiastic sports fan and supporter of Davey’s ‘Trees for Threes’ with the Cleveland Cavaliers and ‘Swing for the Trees’ with the Cleveland Guardians community tree planting initiatives.