ryan wille
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Ryan’s love of the outdoors shaped his career path in landscaping, leading him to the Botanical Center, where he worked in both the marketing and education departments before becoming executive director in 2021. He is a native of Palatine, Illinois, and studied English at Bradley University in Peoria. He’s excited to continue programs and experiences that make the gardens the asset they are today while developing new reasons to bring people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways.
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AMELIA SEUTTER
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Amelia joined the Botanical Center in 2021. She graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor’s degree in history and art history and also graduated from Western Illinois University with a master’s degree in museum studies. She loves working with people and always has a positive attitude. Amelia enjoys planting herbs and pollinator-friendly plants.
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Belinda Brain
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Belinda’s love for both people and plants led her to a degree in horticulture from Iowa State University. She is excited to be able to share the wonder and power of plants through her role as the outreach coordinator. An Iowa native, Belinda enjoys learning new hobbies and keeping up with her four cats.
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BRIT GRAY
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Brit is our banquet and private events manager and an Iowa native who loves spending time outdoors with her family in every season. A wife and mother of three, Brit knows how to organize and promote successful events. A favorite hobby is making cyanotype prints from pressed local plants, and her passion for gardening and gathering in groups helps her fit right in with our botanical team.
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dave searl
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Dave has been the head gardener for the Botanical Center since 2000. Growing up on a farm in rural Port Byron, Illinois, he developed an early interest in nature and plants. Working at the Center has given him the opportunity to share his interests and knowledge with others. Dave enjoys traveling and is a long-standing member of the Moline Horticultural Society.
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HEATHER BALLOU
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After studying animal science at University of Illinois, Heather came to the Quad Cities to further her education in biology. After spending time focusing on natural resources, she served in environmental education for five years before finding herself at the Botanical Center. She is looking forward to engaging with the community and sharing exciting learning opportunities.
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KARI CAMPBELL
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Kari uses her highly refined organizational skills and positive attitude to assist with member and donor relationships. Kari has been a hands-on participant in events at the Center since starting here in 2002. When not at the Center, she can be found spending time with her grandchildren, baking or shopping.
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KATE MAPES
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Kate is an assistant gardener and office project coordinator. She enjoys overseeing the Children’s Garden river maintenance and watching children and families enjoying the water. Kate grew up on a dairy farm in Port Byron, Illinois, where the outdoor world inspired her to pursue a career in plants. Kate earned her Bachelor of Science degree in ornamental horticulture at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. She has been with the Center since 2007.
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KATE witherspoon
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Kate is an educator, an artist, and a nature lover. She joined the Botanical Center in 2024. Kate graduated from Upper Iowa University where she majored in Elementary Education. Kate taught third grade for three years, and then taught elementary art for two years. She loves that her role at the Botanical Center gives her the opportunity to combine her passions for nature, art, and education. During her free time Kate enjoys gardening, propagating house plants, painting, drawing, creating ceramics, roller skating, and walking her dogs.
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kennedy blaesius
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Kennedy is a member of our horticulture department and she enjoys taking care of the garden on a daily basis. She was born and raised in the Quad Cities and studied horticulture at Iowa State University. She has a background in landscape design, installation, and maintenance which includes everything from pruning plants to installing retaining walls and everything in between. She is constantly interested and excited by ways in which we can expand and grow our center.
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Koby peterson
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Joining the horticulture department in 2025, Koby is a Quad Cities native who pursued agricultural science at Western Illinois University. Soon after starting, the Botanical Center quickly became his happy place. In his spare time, he’s passionate about following current events, hiking with his dogs, playing music, and maintaining a home garden.
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Mary Buelow
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Mary believes in nature, magic is real. She is fascinated by the healing aspects of plants and everything we still have to learn from them. Each year, Mary plants sunflowers outside her windows to provide her cats with the perfect view of birds and bumblebees flying thru the air. A favorite pastime is enjoying the outdoors with her husband and dog. Mary joined the Botanical Center in June 2022 and the Fairy Garden is her favorite exhibit.
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PAIGE UNDERWOOD
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Paige joined the Botanical Center in the fall of 2019. She was born and raised in the Quad Cities and studied event planning, recreation, and tourism at Western Illinois University. Paige enjoys home and indoor gardening, supporting the music and arts community, and exploring more ways to live sustainably.
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