Amber Slayton
Chief Operating Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Chris Smith, MBA
Sr. VP, Marketing & Guest Experience
Chris.Smith@dallasarboretum.org
214.515.6523
Amber Slayton Appointed Chief Operating Officer at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Dallas, TX (Sept. 30, 2024) — The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden has named Amber Slayton as chief operating officer. A Texas native, she brings a passion for gardens and for the City of Dallas and its vibrant cultural community.
Slayton has spent more than two decades practicing local government law, most notably establishing and leading an in-house legal department as City Attorney for North Point, FL. In this role, she provided legal representation for the City Commission, City Manager, City Clerk, all city departments, and city advisory boards and committees. During her tenure, she earned a reputation as a dedicated public servant who built partnerships between the public and private sectors and steadfastly advocated for her community. Previously, she was an attorney practicing in Dallas.
As Dallas Arboretum COO, Slayton will assist the president and chief executive officer by monitoring and providing oversight for general organizational direction and planning, sensitive timeline compliance, major projects, and city and community issues related to the Arboretum.
“The entire team at Dallas Arboretum is excited to welcome Amber as she brings a wealth of experience to the COO role along with a fresh set of eyes to the complex operations that maintain our wonderful 66-acre nature space on the shores of White Rock Lake,” said Dallas Arboretum President and CEO Sabina Carr. “She loves Dallas as much as we do and has a deep passion for the Arboretum and its role in connecting our community to plants.”
Slayton’s community service commitments, among others, have included serving on the board of directors for the Florida Center for Early Childhood and for Operation Kindness, North Texas’ oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter. She earned a J.D. from Baylor University and a B.A. in Communications and Political Science from Southwest Baptist University.
“I’m thrilled to return to Dallas where I practiced law for more than a decade and built lasting connections,” said Amber Slayton. “I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for leadership to help drive Dallas Arboretum growth and make a meaningful impact.”
Slayton will assume her responsibilities as Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden COO on October 15, 2024.
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About Kittleman & Associates:
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its chief operating officer. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including arboreta and gardens, conservation and advocacy organizations, foundations, and human services. For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com/
About the Dallas Arboretum:
The mission of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is to build and maintain a public venue that promotes the art, enjoyment and knowledge of horticulture, while providing opportunities for education and research. It has developed nearly 30 breathtaking gardens and hosts three major, month-long festivals—Dallas Blooms, Autumn at the Arboretum and Holiday at the Arboretum—as well as year-round events and education programming. The Dallas Arboretum welcomes more than a million residents and visitors from more than 90 countries each year and has more than 47,000 members. It is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. For more information, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
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