Staff

Kaitlyn Lawrence, Senior Horticulturist, joined the staff in 2022. Prior to joining the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, she was the Horticulturist Assistant/Foreman at David Brothers Landscape Services based in Norristown, Pa. She also worked at West Laurel Hill and Laurel Hill Cemeteries as a horticulturist from 2019-2020 and had the opportunity to assist with planning and leading events for volunteers. Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and anthropology/sociology with a minor in food studies from Ursinus College. Upon graduation, she worked as a research assistant in the biology department of Ursinus College for a year, collecting and cataloging native grasses and planting crops at their organic farm. She interned at the Speaker’s House Museum in Trappe, Pennsylvania, where she designed and coordinated restoration of two pollinator gardens on historic sites. Kaitlyn is presently pursuing a horticulture certificate from the Barnes Arboretum at St. Joseph’s University.

Josh Coceano served as the Scott Intern from 2010 to 2012 and was then promoted to Horticulture Supervisor, Greenhouse & Nursery Operations. Josh Coceano hails from Mt. Crawford, Virginia – a small town in the Shenandoah Valley. Josh is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Horticulture and a Master of Science in Education. Other work experience includes internships with the Hahn Horticulture Gardens in Blacksburg, Virginia and Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, NY as well as time in the classroom teaching Agriculture Education classes to high school students and being a third grade classroom teacher.

Caitlin Anello, Member and Donor Programs Manager, joined the staff in 2023. Prior to Scott, she worked at Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in retail marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

William R. Evans, Jr., Horticulturist, joined the staff in 1989. Prior to that, he worked at Chessick’s Wholesale Greenhouses propagating poinsettias and at Wolff’s Apple House in plant sales, orchard pruning, and harvesting.

Juna Hewitt, Senior Horticulturist, joined the staff in 2026. Before working at Scott, Juna was a gardener at the High Line and Little Island, and has held volunteer horticulturist positions at Queens Botanical Garden and Snug Harbor Botanical Garden. Juna earned his professional horticulture certification with a focus on sustainable garden design from the New York Botanical Garden in 2026. 

Shem Ruszczyk joined the staff in  2022 as Assistant Horticulture Supervisor.  Prior to joining the Scott Arboretum & Gardens, he was Horticulturist at Hagley Museum and Library as well as Head Gardener Apprentice at Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead England. He is the owner of Canopy Horticulture, a fine gardening and land stewardship service for private clients. He is a graduate of the Professional Horticulture Program of Longwood Gardens and holds an Associates in Arts degree from Harrisburg Area Community College as well as currently serving as a board member for Goodstay Gardens at the University of Delaware’s Wilmington Campus.

Andrew DeGothseir, Senior Horticulturist, joined the staff in 2019. He holds a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design from Delaware Valley University.  Before joining the horticulture staff, he worked at Haverford College, The Westtown School, Henry Schmieder Arboretum, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and Germantown Friends School where he was instrumental in creating the Betty Cary Arboretum.

Brendan Joseph joined the staff as Senior Horticulturist in 2026. Prior to joining Scott Arboretum & Gardens, Brendan spent 12 years working at Northeastern University’s Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts. There, he helped manage some of the arboretum’s most cherished gardens and collections, including a native woodland garden, perennial display garden, Chamaecyparis collection, veterans memorial, and koi pond. Brendan is a certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified, and a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist. He is also a member of the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and Massachusetts nursery landscape association. Outside of work, Brendan enjoys practicing the art of bonsai and exploring the history of trees and arboreta, especially the cultural and historical stories that have shaped notable landscapes and iconic specimens.

Jacqui Ricchezza, Administrative Coordinator, joined the staff in 2004 and has ample experience at Swarthmore College. Her seven years with Alumni and Gift Records and two years with Facilities Services Department has given her a variety of computer, office, information, and management skills. In addition, she is a certified Master Gardener through the Penn State Cooperative Extension. 

Stephanie Myers, Senior Horticulturist, joined the staff in 2022.  She was the Greenhouse and Cutting Garden Horticulturist at Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington DE.  She is the current Garden Club Organizer and volunteer at Lakeview Elementary. Formerly she was the Assistant Vineyard Manager of Salem Oak Vineyards in NJ. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Oregon State University College of Agriculture.