Jennifer D’hollander has been appointed executive director of Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Thursday.

D’hollander was the executive director of Lake Wales History Museum for four years before leaving in 2020, and she previously held executive positions at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, the Sample McDougald House museum in Pompano Beach and the Young at Art Museum in Plantation.

Leu Gardens “requires a talented leader to ensure the gardens thrive well into the future,” Dyer said in a news release. “We’re fortunate to have Jennifer at the helm, bringing her unique vision and a deep understanding of public gardens and museum culture in Florida.”

D’hollander is taking over for Robert Bowden, who retired last year after working almost 30 years at Leu Gardens. Bowden said the 50-acre gardens on Lake Rowena had a membership of 9,700 as of last summer, more than double the pre-pandemic figure.

Leu Gardens is owned and operated by the City of Orlando, which says the venue has more than 265,000 visitors annually. It hosts educational classes, workshops, tours and weddings as well as special events such as “Fairy Doors,” “Dinosaurs,” (now running through July 9) and the holiday-themed “Dazzling Nights.”

The executive director oversees the daily operations of Leu Gardens and leads the horticultural, education and events staff.

D’hollander is president of the board of directors of the Polk Arts & Culture Alliance and a graduate of the University of Central Florida.