PHS Names Matt Rader as New President
New leader brings experience with nonprofits, government and large firms
PHILADELPHIA (January 5, 2016) –
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society announced
today that Matt Rader, an experienced leader of
nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia and a
management consultant at the global firm
McKinsey & Company, will serve as the President
of PHS beginning January 11. Rader will be the
37th President of the 189-year-old organization,
whose programs have become national models for
community greening.
“PHS is primed to expand its programs that
create more beautiful and sustainable communities
in the years ahead, and Matt Rader is ideally suited to lead the organization in that
work,” said Board Chair Margaret Sadler. “Matt has a proven track record of creating an
environment that unifies others around a vision, goals, and their achievement.”
Rader brings rich experience in urban parks, neighborhood revitalization, historic
preservation, and strategic management. As Executive Director of the Fairmount Park
Historic Preservation Trust, Rader collaborated closely with critical foundation partners,
the City of Philadelphia, and individual park supporters to preserve the park system’s
historic buildings and landscapes. Rader also helped revitalize South Philadelphia’s
East Passyunk Avenue as the Executive Director of its Business Improvement District,
and led advisory services panels for the Urban Land Institute in its Washington, D.C.
headquarters. In those roles, Rader worked closely with public and private partners on
neighborhood revitalization, sustainability, and economic development issues.
After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,
Rader served for the past four years as a management consultant at the global
consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where he worked with state and federal agencies
and Fortune 50 clients to develop and implement business strategies and organizational
models.
Rader grew up in Mercersburg, a small town in south central Pennsylvania, and
has been a frequent visitor to the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show since he was a child.
Currently living with his partner in Philadelphia’s Market East neighborhood, Rader said
parks and public gardens are part of his daily life.
“I admire PHS’s leadership in empowering people to use horticulture as a way to
build community and improve their neighborhoods, gardens and parks,” Rader said. “I’m
grateful for the opportunity to bring to PHS my experience and personal passion for
making cities better. With the incredible talent of PHS’s staff and partners and my
background, we can continue to use horticulture to make this city and region a great
place to live and a very exciting center of gardening and horticultural innovation and
excellence.”
Among Rader’s top priorities in the months ahead will be experiencing the
Philadelphia Flower Show from the operational side. This year’s theme, “Explore
America,” will celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service and our country’s
majestic landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture on March 5-13 at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center.
ABOUT PHS
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1827, that
connects people with horticulture, and together we create beautiful, healthy and
sustainable communities. PHS offers programs and events for gardeners of all levels,
and works with volunteers, organizations, agencies and businesses to create and
maintain vibrant green spaces. For information, visit PHSonline.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alan Jaffe, PHS Director of Communications, 215.988.8833, mobile 267.968.0859, [email protected]
Marion McParland, PHS Communications Specialist, 215.988.8815, mobile 609.238.9599,
[email protected]