WHO WE ARE
Open daily from dawn to dusk for the enjoyment of the public, The Woodlands is a tranquil open green space in the heart of University City. Thanks to a small staff, a Board of Directors, and our Community Partners, and we are able to ensure that The Woodlands is a space for the celebration of life, love, nature, family, and history.
The Woodlands Staff
Jessica Baumert (she/her) is the Executive Director of The Woodlands National Historic Landmark District in Philadelphia, PA. She has a degree in Historic Preservation from The Savannah College of Art and Design and fell in love with historic cemeteries while learning to repair aging headstones in Savannah's historic Colonial Park Cemetery. Jessica followed her love of preservation to the City of Philadelphia, where she spent ten years caring for the historic structures of Fairmount Park. In 2011 she took the helm at The Woodlands and began bringing a place for the dead back to life. Since then, she has developed nationally renowned programs including the Grave Gardeners, increased annual visitorship to over 100,000 people, and cultivated a renewed sense of community within a horticultural oasis in West Philadelphia. She currently lives in West with her partner Nate, Cat Gene, and Puppy Peter.
Contact: baumert@woodlandsphila.org
Emma Max (she/her) has been the Program and Operations Manager of The Woodlands since 2015. She comes from a background in Art History and Museums and was excited for the opportunity to steward such a unique space within the West Philadelphia community. A resident of Fairmount, she loves walking and biking in the city, museums, and sandwiches.
Contact: emmamax@woodlandsphila.org
Robin Rick (she/her) is the Facilities and Landscape Manager of The Woodlands. She utilizes her education and past experience as an architect and professional gardener to help care for the historic buildings and grounds. She began her involvement at The Woodlands as a Grave Gardener volunteer in 2016 and then joined the staff in 2018. Outside of work Robin is a PHS Tree Tender and helps out at her family's Berks County farm.
Contact: robinrick@woodlandsphila.org
Hann Daly (they/them) is The Woodlands’ Events and Communications Manager. Hann was a long-time West Philly neighbor and lover of The Woodlands before joining the team in early 2020. Hann has over a decade of experience working with local and national nonprofits focused on critical outcomes including advocating for the well-being of pregnant and parenting families, promoting affordable childcare, and accessing public gardens. Originally from the Midwest, they enjoy slow cooking, estate sales, and karaoke.
Contact: daly@woodlandsphila.org
Greg Fisher (he/him) joined The Woodlands staff as GIS and Digital Mapping Specialist in 2020, having been a regular volunteer since 2018. Originally from a background of mathematics and computer science, Greg branched out into GIS to map the over 1,000 trees and 30,000 individuals buried at The Woodlands. He lives in West Philadelphia and enjoys baking, puzzles, and spending time with his dog Oliver.
Contact: gregfisher@woodlandsphila.org
Board of Directors
The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation &
The Woodlands Cemetery Co.
Heather Calvert
President, Board of Directors
Jeanne Chang
Vice President, Board of Directors
William Weber
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Rebecca Flemer
Secretary, Board of Directors
Dawn Bryant
Jillian E. Galle
Susan Gettlin
William Giesey
William L. Gross
Kiasha Huling
Roy Ingraffia
Thomas K. Johnson, II
Representative Rick Krajewski
Megan McCracken
Dr. Neville E. Strumpf
Heirloom roses in bloom in a Grave Garden. Photo by Rachael Warriner
Community Partners
The Woodlands partners with mission-driven neighboring organizations to further our mission of enriching the lives of area residents and visitors and make available to the public The Woodlands’ historic buildings and tranquil green space. Interested in joining The Woodlands as a Community Partner? Get in touch with us today.
© 2025 The Woodlands
4000 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104