The Denver Botanic Gardens, one of the true beauty spots in a beautiful city and state, has been an important African Leadership Group partner for the past decade.
Brian Vogt, CEO of the gardens, goes out of his way to make sure that ALG has access to the beautiful outdoor spaces and event spaces for important events, including Afrik Impact, our signature annual fundraising and educational event.
But Brian and Nadine Robbins, a recruiting and HR specialist, want members of the ALG community to know that they should look to the gardens for employment opportunities as well.
“We have several positions that are currently open ranging from retail to custodial to visitor services to gardener,” Nadine said. Jobs open frequently – the gardens employ about 30 people during the warm weather months – so it’s worth checking the career opportunities page of the gardens website frequently.
Event management jobs are also frequently open. The gardens host hundreds of weddings and other special events throughout the year.
Brian said that he and his staff view the gardens as a place of welcome and healing, and they especially want the immigrant and refugee communities to know that the garden is a safe space.
“We’re out to change the world. We really want to do work that matters,” Brian said during a recent Facebook Live event with ALG. “Especially the immigrant residents of Colorado and refugees, we want to make sure we’re one of those places that raises their hand and says, ‘We are a safe place for you to be. We are a welcoming place for you to be and we’re a relevant place for you to be.’”
Brian said he has long been an admirer of ALG and of Papa Dia, its founder and executive director.
“I first met Papa nine or 10 years ago at one of the first if not the first Afrik Impact events,” Brian recalled. “I saw the most vibrant, dynamic, success-oriented group that was really powerful in its intent, and that really was inspiring to me. I thought ‘I wish there was more of this in our country and even in our state. People who are banding together in such a powerful way as ALG is doing.
“So hats off to Papa who’s one of my true heroes in life.”
