The Board of Directors plays a key role in the functions and development of Garden Partners. Members are volunteers who have a keen interest in the interface of the organization with the community.

With a BS in education and an MA in counseling psychology, Patty has over 35 years of experience as a teacher and mental health counselor in both the public and private sector.  She is a registered horticultural therapist (HTR) through the American Horticultural Therapy Association and sits on their national board. She currently works with frail elders, the memory-impaired, and at-risk children.

Patty is also President of the non-profit organization, Friends of the Portland Memory Garden, whose mission is to maintain and support the Portland Memory Garden as a safe and restorative environment for all who visit it, but especially for elders living with memory disorders, and to provide respite and educational activities for caregivers.

Mary Rowan

Mary, a co-founder of Garden Partners, is an Occupational Therapist, registered and licensed in the state of Oregon. She graduated from Pacific University in 1987 and has practiced occupational therapy for over 18 years in the areas of physical disabilities and geriatrics. In 1994 Mary’s vision formed: a series of unique, accessible garden centers where people from all walks of life come together to share their love of gardening. Since 1994, in addition to practicing occupational therapy, she has focused on creating opportunities for individuals to participate in meaningful gardening activities. As a result of this effort, she has seen the remarkably motivating and engaging effects of people-plant interactions.

Carma Corcoran

Carma comes with a background in building volunteer programs. She was the director of the Volunteer Program at Raphael House of Portland and a program manager at Big Brothers / Big Sisters. Most recently she was a program director at the Josiah Hill Clinic. She currently is the Indian Law Program Coordinator at Lewis and Clark Law School. Carma also counts Classic Wines Auction as a client, which she is helping to build a volunteer program. Carma has a Bachelor's degree in communication and she holds a Master's degree in Public Administration. Carma is involved in the community serving on the board of Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp and she is an elder for the Red Lodge Transition Services project.

Angela Tekulve

Angela Tekulve has over seven years of professional experience in the accounting and finance industry. Most recently, Angela was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) where she was a Manager specializing in business process improvement, project management and regulatory compliance.  Angela has managed large-scale organizational initiatives that span multiple geographies and functional areas.

Angela’s interest in the nonprofit sector was deepened by her work with PwC’s nonprofit clients.  Ultimately, Angela decided to make a career transition from the for-profit sector to the nonprofit sector and is now a full-time graduate student in Portland State University’s Master of Public Administration program.  Her concentration is nonprofit management.  After graduation, Angela hopes to pursue a leadership position in the nonprofit sector.