Leadership

After working in Advertising on Madison Ave., Steve had an opportunity to work alongside his dad producing and directing the highly regarded PBS hit television series “Square Foot Gardening.” That television series launched the best-selling garden book of all time “Square Foot Gardening,” a method of gardening, which is recognized throughout the world.

In 1988, Steve started his own advertising firm whose clientele included prestigious hospitals, and school districts in the New York Metropolitan area.

With Steve’s commitment to excellence along with his entrepreneurial spirit, it has enabled him to be a part of many community organizations. As a board member of South Huntington Educational Foundation (SHEF) for over 5 years, Steve was directly involved in creating successful educational programs throughout the district in conjunction with school boards. SHEF is an independent non-profit foundation committed to enriching and supplementing educational programs.

Steve’s life-long love for nature and gardening brings his prior experience full circle to preserve and continue the mission of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation.

Sheri Gilchrist is a data-driven and award-winning Chief Marketing and Growth Officer with a successful track record growing revenue and market share for leading wealth managers. Most recently, she served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at MissionSquare Retirement, a leading financial services company specializing in retirement services, public policy, and advocacy for the public service sector. She oversaw the company's brand, reputation, channel marketing, social media, websites, advertising, corporate communications, research and public relations. She is recognized for her leadership in modernizing marketing for financial services companies in both the public and private sectors.

Her extensive career includes Executive Vice President and Managing Director roles serving as the first Global Chief Marketing Officer at PGIM Investments, the investment management business of Prudential, a top ten financial services firm. Prior to that she led digital marketing at BNY Mellon Investment Management, as well as executive leadership positions at Eaton Vance (now Morgan Stanley Asset Management), Epsilon Data Management (a strategic partner to Facebook, IBM, Chase Bank and American Express).

Throughout her career, Ms. Gilchrist has been a trusted advisor to executives and boards, providing valuable insights on digital marketing, analytics, financial education, and business transformation. As an advocate for financial literacy initiatives, she has counseled the Social Security Administration and the National Bureau of Economic Research, fostering a deeper understanding of financial literacy including money management and retirement planning. Her expertise also extends to developing best practices for effective communication with aging populations and younger audiences, while actively promoting workplace diversity and advocating for retirement-related public policies.

Ms. Gilchrist is frequently featured in popular media, including Barron's, Bloomberg, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Ignites, The Financial Times, 401kWire, Plan Sponsor, and Fund Fire. She is a champion for truth in advertising, financial literacy, and investor education. In addition, she has served on the PR committee of the SPARK Institute, advisory board of the MissionSquare Research Institute, and Association of National Advertisers. She is also a member of Chief, a women’s network dedicated to getting women in more leadership seats and keeping them there.

Ms. Gilchrist earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the University of Melbourne. She also holds executive certifications in Management Development and Data Analytics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Wayne Schirner spent most of his life helping others. With a Master of Sciences degree in Mathematics, Wayne went on to work as a scientist working in the aerospace industry. After 7 years, he decided to attend medical school. He joined the Army and served 25 years on active duty which took him to live in many different states around the country. Upon his retirement, Wayne went on to serve another 10 years in the US Army Medical Command’s Civilian Corps. In addition to patient care, Wayne completed his Army career as the Director of Medical Education at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, TX.

After eventually settling in Texas, Wayne discovered the PBS television series “Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew. Through trial and error and his own experiments with “The All New Square Foot Gardening” method, Wayne knew this was a method of gardening that could be done no matter where in the country he lived or what the soil conditions. After becoming a Master Gardener with advanced training in vegetable gardening, Wayne did a comparison study on 6” depth vs 12” depth of Mel Mix resulting in a 1st place recognition in the research category in the Texas Master Gardener Association’s Search for Excellence Awards Program.

Wayne is currently a top Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor, an Administrator for the Square Foot Gardening Foundation’s social media groups with over 70,000 active members, and an expert in the Square Foot Gardening Method. With his background in medicine, science and gardening, he is a sought-after speaker for several county Master Gardener Associations in TX, and at the Mother Earth News Fair where his expertise on Square Foot Gardening is well received. Wayne lives in TX with his wife Nancy and continues his experiments in his home garden, and he is ready to help others with their SFG goals.

As Mel Bartholomew’s granddaughter, Paige began her Square Foot Gardening journey at a young age, helping her grandfather plant and tend his gardens. She joined the Square Foot Gardening Foundation board in March 2022.

An attorney with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Paige focuses on business law. She represents corporations and financial institutions in federal and state court, handling complex commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation cases. Earlier in her career, she was an associate with Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Paige earned her law degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center on Long Island, NY. There she was selected to join the New York State Pro Bono Scholars Program for high-performing law students. In that program, she finished her coursework early and spent her final semester of law school providing pro bono services to indigent clients. Paige holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Siena College in Loudonville, NY.

She was named to “The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch,” in 2021 and 2022. In 2019, she was honored by the Long Island Business News as a recipient of its “30 Under 30” Award. Paige is the author and/or co-author of several published law review and bar association articles.

With a rich background in transformational leadership and global executive roles, Robin brings invaluable expertise to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation Board of Directors. Having navigated complex stakeholder landscapes across the USA and Australia, Robin is adept at orchestrating strategic initiatives that drive critical change, sustainable growth, innovation, and social impact.

Beginning his career in horticulture, Robin's journey evolved into leadership positions spanning diverse sectors, including public administration, environmental conservation, parks, recreation, tourism, education, consulting, and financial services. Renowned for his ability to articulate and execute clear strategic visions, Robin has led numerous award-winning green infrastructure projects and played pivotal roles in delivering large-scale built infrastructure and technology modernization projects.

Robin's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is evident in his dedication to overcoming challenges and inspiring collective progress. His leadership shines in building strategic partnerships that amplify impact and foster cross-functional collaboration.

As a member of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation Board of Directors, Robin is poised to leverage his extensive experience and visionary leadership to contribute to the Foundation's mission of promoting sustainable gardening practices and environmental stewardship.

Laura has over 40 years experience in advertising and marketing. Starting her career at Grumman Aerospace Corporation, then in advertising and direct marketing corporations, she earned many awards over the course of her career.

Laura joined Steve in 1990 working and growing Bartholomew Associates Inc. Advertising and Public Relations. While raising four children, Laura managed the day-to-day operations of a growing agency, including the finances, Human Resources, maintaining clients and bringing in new business. Over the years, Steve and Laura saw their business increase to over 1 million dollars in annual billings.

Laura has always loved to cook and feed family and friends. Her love of cooking, nature, and gardening provided a platform for Laura to branch out to help serve those in the community who needed help the most, our senior citizens. Laura not only worked four years at a Senior Center, she has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 10 years. The culmination of her prior experience, both corporate and at home, provides a perfect fit for the mission of Square Foot Gardening Foundation.

With an impressive career as a residential real estate entrepreneur and sustainable living advocate in his home state of Colorado, Kevin joined the Square Foot Gardening Foundation Board of Directors in 2021.

A founder of both a real estate firm as well as a contracting business, Kevin’s success as a business owner and passion for giving back to his profession is evident. He served as President of the Colorado Association of Realtors and was a co-founder and two-time President of its Housing Opportunity Foundation that champions safe and affordable housing for the state’s residents.

In 2003 Kevin was named Colorado Realtor of the Year, and in 2006 he received the P2 Champion Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for marketing and educating the public of the benefits of sustainable/energy efficient homes.

He earned the National Association of Realtors’ Green Designation in 2009 and continues to be a trusted sustainability resource for homeowners who seek guidance in achieving their green real estate goals. Recently, Kevin was named a Realtor Emeritus by the National Association of Realtors for his 40 years of leadership in the profession.

Kevin will be integral to the future strategy and development of the Foundation. His expertise, and leadership in his community will have a far reaching impact on our mission.

Bob Markey was born and raised in Rahway, New Jersey and attended public grammar schools, graduating high school from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark. He then received a B.A. from Monmouth University in 1972.

While managing a successful 45-year real estate career in his hometown, Bob found time to earn his Master Gardener and Master Tree Steward Certifications from Rutgers University.

In 2008 he traveled to Eden, Utah to become a Square Foot Gardening (SFG) Instructor and was certified by none other than the boss himself, Mel Bartholomew.

That same spring, Bob walked into his local YMCA, where he had learned to swim as a kid, and suggested to the director “why don’t we work together and add a Square Foot Gardening Program to camp this summer”. The director’s answer was a resounding “Yes”, and during that first successful season the YMCA summer campers affectionately named him, “Mr. Bob The Gardener”.

The SFG Program received rave reviews in 2015 from the Garden Club of NJ, Rutgers Gardens and the NJ YMCA State Alliance. Fast forward to today; Bob’s SFG Summer Camp Program has been expanded, improved and replicated at three NJ Y’s.

In 2023, Mr. Bob’s Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, received the 33,000-member National Garden Clubs’ highest recognition, the Award of Excellence for its work with youth. Bob was then invited to join the NGC’s Board of Directors serving as their Youth Coordinator.

In early 2024, Mr. Bob’s Foundation was awarded the NJ Senate and General Assembly Resolution, for his extraordinary initiative teaching gardening to children of all ages.

Bob’s dream, since 2008, has been to see his SFG Program expanded to Y’s all across America, and the way it’s heading, it may just happen sooner rather than later!

Charles met Mel Bartholomew in 2012 in Southern California. As a real estate broker, he assisted Mel in a purchase of a property and they became friends. Charles deeply admired Mel for the passion and commitment Mel had to the cause of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation and Charles believed he could help Mel make a difference in the lives of others.

Born and raised in Maryland, Charles attended Loyola University and has a BA in Accounting. He maintains an active CPA license and worked for over 30 years in various advanced positions including Auditor and CFO/VP of finance for international companies.

As an avid world traveler, a grandfather, and his many years of corporate experience, Charles is an asset to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation. Charles is honored to be serving in Mel’s memory as a member of the Board of Directors.

Vanessa joined the Square Foot Gardening Foundation in October 2020 as the organization's Executive Assistant and was named the nonprofit’s Executive Director in January 2022.

She brings several decades of experience directing executive leadership offices for multinational financial institutions and management consultancy firms, in addition to holding roles in marketing communications. In support of the C-Suite executives for whom she worked, Vanessa helped plan and execute her firm’s participation at the World Economic Forum annual meeting (Davos) and the International Monetary Fund annual meetings.

Identifying a niche for virtual management of online enterprises, Vanessa launched an online consultancy in 2018. Her clients have included a pharma start-up advisory, international social movements, and a nonprofit foundation.

Having traveled extensively around the world, for the last 10 years Vanessa has primarily lived in Costa Rica as an expat, working with at-risk migrant communities. She holds a master’s degree in global affairs with a concentration in economic sustainable development and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the Center for Global Affairs at New York University.

Kate joined the Square Foot Gardening Foundation team in April 2021. As our Project Manager, she supports our customer service and sales initiatives as well as the Certified Instructor, web development and grant programs at the Foundation.

Kate started her career as an assistant to the General Manager of an industrial supply e-commerce company, where she was promoted to Operations Manager. In her role with the Foundation, she is constantly improving our efficiency with her significant digital technology and data analysis skills.

Rick Bickling is a Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor and Master Gardener in Austin, Texas. He has been practicing The Square Foot Gardening Method since 2011 when he built and installed 12 SFG beds on an old concrete basketball court in his backyard to create his “Court-yard Garden.”

In 2015 Rick was recognized by PBS Television Host P. Allen Smith as one of his top Garden Writers. He has also been featured on the PBS television show Central Texas Gardener.

Rick has been writing about gardening for local newspapers and The How Do Gardener™ website since 2011 and creating YouTube videos about gardening since 2018. In 2020 Rick partnered with The Square Foot Gardening Foundation to create a series of 21 exclusive educational videos about Square Foot Gardening for The Square Foot Gardening Foundation OFFICIAL YouTube Channel and to be used in the SFG Certified Instructor curriculum.

Rick has the unique ability to present research-tested horticultural information in a clear, concise, yet thoroughly engaging manner to audiences around the world.

Rick developed a love of gardening as a boy while planting gardens, trees and shrubs with his father and grandfather. After spending 30 years in the IT industry with companies such as IBM, Price Waterhouse, Applied Materials, and Nielsen Media Research, Rick now enjoys planting, growing, learning, and spending time with his wife in their Square Foot Garden.