Doreen Stoller has successfully led Hermann Park Conservancy’s efforts to raise over $127 million for Park improvements and develop sustainable revenue streams for Park maintenance. Park users come from across the Houston region, and support for the Conservancy’s work has broadened to include gifts from 151 of Houston’s 178 zip codes plus a volunteer corps numbering in the thousands. She recently launched the master planning effort for the next twenty years of improvements which emphasize the health of both the Park’s natural areas as well as its visitors – from families spending time in the sunshine to thousands of migratory birds.
Ms. Stoller also led the Conservancy through the growth from a staff of six to a team of 80 whose duties range from tending the gardens, natural areas and facilities to running the beloved Hermann Park Railroad. Earned income from concessions and facility rentals have grown to sustainably fund half of the annual maintenance budget with another 25% coming from the earnings of dedicated maintenance funds that have grown a hundred-fold during her tenure to over $32 million.
Before her work in the non-profit world, Ms. Stoller spent fifteen years in strategic planning for the high-tech industry. She also served as CEO in residence for Internet venture funders.
She holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. from the Institute of Fine Arts and an M.B.A. from Rice University, where she is a lecturer at the Jones Graduate School of Business and serves on the Board of Advisors. She is the past chair of the national City Parks Alliance and currently serves on the board of Inprint.
