Nicolette Telech

Nicolette Telech, Chief of Staff, began working in public gardens in 2015 and has been at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park since 2018. Nicolette previously worked at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.

Nicolette has experience working with nonprofit boards and senior leadership, has been a member of wellness and Human Resources committees, and has been a Philanthropy team member focusing on grant management. She previously held roles as an editor and university writing tutor. Nicolette received her MFA in Creative Writing from Chatham University with a focus on nature and place-based poetry, creative writing pedagogy, and ecofeminist literature; she received her BA in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. During graduate school, Nicolette taught creative writing at the Allegheny County Jail through the Words Without Walls program, whose mission is to provide an outlet for creative growth to nurture and empower students as they prepare for life outside of jails and treatment centers.

Nicolette is an advocate for climate justice and has volunteer experience with bicycle advocacy groups. She recharges best in nature—hiking through awe-inspiring landscapes, learning the names of new plants, and especially values time in the high Sierra and coastal California. She is a student and instructor of yoga and enjoys leading monthly classes at the Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers.