The Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG) is thrilled to announce Tessa Lee as the incoming Executive Director. She will take up her position soon. Tessa is a career sustainability professional with a wealth of experience in non-profit management, travel and tourism, and social impact.
Tessa is joining VBG at a pivotal moment as it marks its 20th anniversary. This milestone comes as the organization looks forward to a third decade of expanding its influence as a prominent Mexican environmental and educational non-profit.
Originally from North Carolina, fluent in Spanish and with extensive Latin American experience, Tessa has spent the last 14 years living and working in New York City. She joins VBG from Expedia Group, where she served as global Senior Manager for Climate and Sustainability. At Expedia Group, Tessa launched the company’s first Climate Action Plan and supported the creation of new sustainability features for travelers on their technology platforms. She oversaw the creation of the Destination Climate Champions program in partnership with the Travel Foundation and the Nature Positive Tourism Fund, managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
She previously led corporate engagement for the non-profit The Climate Group, which focused on decarbonizing supply chains and scaling renewable energy procurement. Before that, she held roles at several environmental non-profits, including the Rainforest Foundation, Carbon War Room, Rocky Mountain Institute, and 100 Resilient Cities, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation. Additionally, she spent nearly a decade in the restaurant industry.
Tessa shares,
“I’m deeply committed to preserving our wonderous natural world, and I know that impact-driven local organizations are critical to the success of that goal. At Expedia Group, one of my favorite parts of the job was supporting destinations in building their capacity to manage their environmental resources while educating travelers on the exciting possibilities of sustainable journeys. The Vallarta Botanical Garden sits at the intersection of science, conservation, education, and hospitality, and I am honored to step into this leadership role.”
Chief Executive Officer, Jesús Reyes, shared:
“We are absolutely delighted that Tessa has decided to join our team. She knows Puerto Vallarta well, is passionate about helping to mitigate the sustainability issues faced by our beloved region, and, most importantly, believes in the mission of the Garden to protect native Mexican flora and fauna. Specifically, she will be providing leadership for the next phase in our growth and development, expanding educational programming, cultivating community engagement, and increasing our visibility.”
Bob Price, Founder and Curator of VBG, was also keen to extend a warm welcome to Tessa, sharing that:
“We have come a long way in 20 years, from a patch of farmland to an award-winning Botanical Garden that is now on the cutting edge of scientific research into Mexican orchids and which gives endangered species such as the Military macaw a place to survive and thrive. Our institution demonstrates that sustainable tourism is both possible and profitable in Puerto Vallarta. Tessa is just the person we need right now to increase our impact tenfold.”
When the Garden opened in November 2005, it occupied a small 4-hectare (approximately 10-acre) site. Currently, the Garden protects over 135 hectares (330 acres), providing a safe haven for more than 250 bird species and over 1,200 plant species, including several that are critically endangered, like the Magnolia Vallartensis tree, which produces the official flower of Puerto Vallarta. Bringing Tessa on board presents a significant opportunity for VBG to enhance its vital conservation efforts and expand its educational and community outreach programs, fostering a more resilient and sustainable future for the broader region.
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