OUR TEAM
Dedicated Experts, Caring Mentors
Meet the passionate professionals who bring our mission to life through expert knowledge and a genuine love for teaching and gardening.
Eleanor Vance, Executive Director
Eleanor Vance holds a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management and has been a driving force in the local horticultural community for over fifteen years, blending her sharp administrative skills with a profound passion for preserving traditional gardening knowledge. Before joining The Herb Society, she served as the Development Director for a regional historical trust, where she honed her ability to secure funding and manage large-scale community projects, experience that is invaluable in overseeing the Center’s expansion. Eleanor’s approach is defined by her belief that organizational success is rooted in strong community partnerships and the empowerment of her team; she is known for her warm, open-door policy and her meticulous attention to detail in everything from grant writing to workshop scheduling. She views her role not just as a manager, but as a facilitator, ensuring that the resources are always available for the instructors to deliver high-quality, impactful educational experiences while diligently upholding the historical integrity of the Hoover Historical Center. Her leadership has been pivotal in transitioning the society from a volunteer-run group to a professional, widely respected educational center.
Dr. Marcus Chen, Lead Master Herbalist
Dr. Marcus Chen is a certified Master Gardener and holds a Ph.D. in Ethnobotany, bringing a rigorous academic background combined with extensive hands-on experience to our educational programs. His expertise lies in medicinal plants, advanced propagation techniques, and the historical use of herbs across various cultures, allowing him to infuse the workshops with deep, research-backed knowledge. Before dedicating himself fully to education, Dr. Chen spent a decade consulting on sustainable farming practices, giving him a unique perspective on the intersection of modern agriculture and traditional herbalism. Marcus is beloved by workshop participants for his patient, clear teaching style and his infectious enthusiasm for the science behind plant efficacy. He believes in teaching critical thinking alongside gardening skills, encouraging students to question, experiment, and document their findings. He is responsible for curating the plant collections in the historical garden and designing the advanced curriculum, ensuring the society remains on the cutting edge of sustainable herbology.
Clara Rodriguez, Community Outreach Coordinator
Clara Rodriguez is the vibrant bridge between The Herb Society and the broader North Canton community, specializing in communications and partnership development with a background in social work and local organizing. Her extensive work in developing volunteer programs and managing complex community events ensures that our mission of connection is realized through meaningful engagement opportunities. Clara is skilled at mobilizing volunteers, coordinating our popular seed exchange events, and establishing crucial partnerships with local schools and senior centers to bring herbal education to new audiences. Her personal philosophy centers on accessibility and inclusion, and she works tirelessly to ensure all our events and resources are welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. She is the friendly face and organizational backbone of our public-facing initiatives, making sure that every member feels valued, heard, and connected to the work being done at the Hoover Historical Center. Her creative approach to fundraising and event planning has been instrumental in growing our society’s visibility and public impact.
Stephen Holt, Garden and Facilities Manager
Stephen Holt is a highly skilled horticulturist and essential operational expert, managing the day-to-day health of the historical gardens and maintaining all facilities at the Center. He has over twenty years of professional experience in landscape maintenance and ecological design, specializing in heritage plant preservation and organic soil management in temperate climates. Stephen’s role is critical; he ensures that the environment is always pristine, functional, and perfectly suited for both educational purposes and the preservation of our specialized herb collections. He is the quiet anchor of the team, often found diligently tending the demonstration beds or meticulously repairing infrastructure. Students benefit from his impromptu lessons on soil structure and composting, as he is always happy to share his deep practical knowledge. His commitment to pure, sustainable gardening practices guarantees that all materials used in our workshops are organically grown on-site, providing the highest quality, most reliable specimens for our educational programs and ensuring the historical site is maintained with ecological sensitivity.
Community & Engagement
Building Bridges, Sowing Seeds of Partnership
Family involvement is a cornerstone of The Herb Society’s philosophy, rooted in the understanding that the most effective learning often happens when skills are shared across generations. We offer dedicated family workshops, such as “Parent-Child Potion Making” and “Family Herb Garden Design,” where activities are structured to allow adults and children to collaborate as equals, with children often mastering specific tasks like seed sowing and watering, and adults focusing on planning and advanced preparation. These programs are designed to provide parents with the confidence and practical knowledge needed to continue herbal activities at home, turning their own yards into functional, educational spaces. Furthermore, our community service days are structured to be family-friendly, allowing children to understand the concept of giving back while engaging in light garden work alongside their parents, fostering early environmental responsibility and a strong, shared connection to the society’s mission. We view the family unit as the primary mechanism for transmitting the knowledge of herbs, and we strive to provide the resources and environment to make that transmission joyful and effective.
Join Us/Work With Us
Grow Your Career in Horticulture and Community
The Herb Society At The Hoover Historical Center offers dynamic and fulfilling career opportunities for individuals who are deeply committed to our mission of education, sustainability, and connection, attracting professionals across a range of disciplines. We occasionally have openings for Program Instructors, requiring certified Master Gardeners or experienced herbalists who possess excellent teaching skills and a strong background in organic, eco-friendly horticulture and utilization techniques, ensuring they can lead our hands-on workshops with authority and warmth. We also seek staff for Administrative and Outreach roles, requiring experience in non-profit management, event planning, and community development to help manage the Center’s operations, secure funding, and coordinate our extensive volunteer efforts. All roles require a genuine enthusiasm for the natural world, a dedication to professional development, and a collaborative spirit, as we operate as a close-knit team focused on maximizing our impact within the North Canton community and maintaining the highest standards of historical and ecological integrity.