Meet the Goizueta Gardens Team

Brett Bannor, Manager of Animal Collections has primary responsibility for the heritage breed sheep, goats, chickens, and turkeys at the Smith Farm. He partners with others on the Gardens Team in caring for our honey bee colonies and monitoring wildlife present on campus. Originally from Chicago, IL, Brett has a BS in zoology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. His first job was as a zookeeper in Monroe, LA, and his career took him to Miami Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Zoo Atlanta, and Stone Mountain Park. He joined the Atlanta History Center in 2013. 

His favorite aspect of his job is “Beyond the Barnyard,” which occurs between 2 and 3 on Saturdays, weather permitting. For Beyond the Barnyard, a halter is put on a sheep or a goat, and it is then taken for a walk around campus. 

Brett is the author of the award-winning book American Sheep: A Cultural History, published by the University of Georgia Press. 

Laurie is a Horticulturist who has been with Atlanta History Center since 1990. A native of Atlanta, GA, Laurie has degrees in Psychology and before her gardening career, she worked in psychology and counseling. Her favorite part of her job is working in nature. She assists with horticultural tasks campus-wide as needed, providing a deep institutional memory of the gardens over time. In her spare time, Laurie loves dog walking and wandering around at estate sales and art exhibits. 

Sarah is the Olga C. de Goizueta Vice President of Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections. She has been with Atlanta History Center since 2011 and has most enjoyed building this team and working with them all every day. She is responsible for the vision and development of Goizueta Gardens as a public gardens destination and integrating the Gardens and Living Collections with all other facets of Atlanta History Center.  She also serves as the Garden Designer and Curator of Living Collections. Sarah is a native of Lilburn, GA and has a BS in Horticulture from Berry College alongside a Professional Garden Design Diploma from Garden Design School in the United Kingdom. She recently received the National Conservation Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her work at Goizueta Gardens. For fun, she loves gardening, horseback riding, exploring unspoiled wilderness, traveling, visiting cultural attractions, reading, and piano—but mostly, parenting two lively girls!  

Mikey is the Senior Horticulturist for the Formal Gardens, caring for Swan House Gardens and Olguita’s Garden as well as leading the design process for seasonal inputs in Olguita’s Garden. He has previously spent many years working with other botanical gardens but has also worked in retail garden centers and on a flower farm. Originally from Long Island, NY, he has spent most of his life in Atlanta and considers it home. Mikey received a BSA in Horticulture from the University of Georgia where he also studied abroad in Europe, visiting influential historical gardens. Fascinated by the interactions between plants and people and the significant role that plants have played in shaping human culture and history across the world, he seeks to create, maintain, and advocate for spaces where people can continue to appreciate and learn from all that nature has to offer, especially within his own community. While he loves to garden and learn about plants in his free time, he also enjoys painting, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with his family, friends, and pets.  

Jace is a Horticulturist for our Formal Gardens, caring for Olguita’s and Swan House Gardens as well as the Rhododendron & Asian Gardens. He has an AS in Horticulture and a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Technician certificate. He enjoys design and learning how to work and connect with nature to make garden spaces beautiful for fauna and flora alike. If he’s not in the garden then he might be in the Cherokee Garden Library/Archives learning more about the history of gardening in the southeast, how to honor the original intent of the past, and how we can innovate on that intent to create something meaningful for the future. Jace loves to explore and experience the world in all its facets; from traveling, cooking, art, movement, and enjoying the people, bugs, and birds we share them with. 

Lauren is the Quarry Garden and Swan Woods Horticulturist from Versailles, KY, beginning her work with the Atlanta History Center in January of 2026. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology focused on ecology and conservation biology, a Master of Science in Horticulture focused on ornamental plant breeding, and multiple authored research publications, her education and experience support both the horticultural and the conservation goals of the Quarry Garden and Swan Woods. Beyond the general maintenance of the gardens, her work also includes plant records and taxonomy, and propagation and procurement of new species. In her free time, she likes long hikes, art projects, reading, maintaining her personal plant collection and aquariums, and she is always botanizing everywhere she goes! 

Lexly is a  Horticulturist for the Entrance Gardens and a Plant Recorder. She started with the Atlanta History Center in September 2021 after graduating from the University of Georgia where she earned her BS in Horticulture. She studied abroad in Europe where she visited and explored a variety of gardens. Lexly also interned at an organic farm in Hawaii. Her primary area of responsibility is maintaining the Entrance Gardens and cataloging all plant collections across campus.  In her free time, she values hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog and family.  

Travis  is the Curator for Goizueta Gardens and Senior Horticulturist for the Quarry Native Plant Garden and Swan Woods. Originally from Tennessee, Travis has worked in the gardens at the Atlanta History Center since 2019. Travis has an educational background in history and archaeology, with ten years of experience working in horticulture and public gardens. He is deeply interested in the ecology of the Southeastern United States and enjoys communicating that interest through public outreach and writing. When not at work, Travis enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, fishing, reading, and running. 

Tiffanny is our Director of Horticulture and has been with Atlanta History Center since October 2017. Originally from Mt. Vernon, IN, Tiffanny leads the Horticulture team and helps coordinate all horticultural work. She enjoys tending the beautiful campus with her colleagues. Tiffanny’s background is in public gardening and nursery management, and she holds a BS in Horticulture from Berry College. Her favorite pastimes are drinking coffee, traveling in the camper van, working on cars, and spending time with her family and three rescue dogs.  

Cameron is the Entrance Gardens Senior Horticulturist who spearheads efforts in the Entrance Gardens, including maintenance and upcoming expansions. The Entrance Gardens is the newest component of Goizueta Gardens. She’s an Atlanta, GA native and has been with Atlanta History Center since September 2021. She appreciates the deep interest from the team in continuously learning and the enthusiasm and curiosity they bring to work. She especially loves when teammates share a unique bird sighting or a new flower in bloom. Cameron earned a BA in Environmental Studies and has tons of experience in woodworking and metalworking. She also has a background in vegetable and flower farming. In her spare time, she likes to hike, rock climb, and roller skate.