Tyler Abboretum board names new director

DELAWARE COUNTY

New Tyler Arboretum board leader

MEDIA In a unanimous vote, the Tyler Arboretum board of trustees approved the appointment of Elizabeth S. "Cricket" Brien as executive director, the organization announced.

A native of Swarthmore, Brien will begin her tenure on May 11, succeeding the late Rick Colbert.

"We are completely without reservation in this decision," said Shipley Allinson, president of the board of trustees and interim executive director. "We are absolutely confident that Cricket is the best of the best for Tyler."

Brien, a landscape architect and member of the arboretum, has a background in public garden management and development. As chair of the Barnes Foundation Arboretum Advisory Committee, Brien led the strategic planning process in transforming the Barnes Arboretum into a destination public garden.

She has a master's degree in landscape architecture, a certificate in urban design, and a bachelor's degree in art history and design of the environment, all from the University of Pennsylvania.

"I look forward to the insights of the staff and the board to undertake this wonderful new challenge," Brien said in a statement.

- Inquirer staff