After more than two decades of transformative leadership, Dr. Carmia S. Feldman has been selected as director of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. The appointment marks a new chapter for an organization that has become nationally recognized for its innovation in public engagement, student leadership, and sustainable land management—and for Feldman, a leader who has long helped make that success possible.

Feldman, who holds a Ph.D. in science education and a master’s in ecology from UC Davis, joined the Arboretum in 2001 as education director and was promoted to assistant director in 2006. Since then, she has quietly become the person everyone counts on. 

“Carmia has been at the heart of our work for years,” said Kathleen Socolofsky, who led the Arboretum for 27 years and is retiring at the end of June. “She brings creativity, compassion, and a strong strategic vision—along with a deep love for this place.”

Known for her extraordinary capacity for positivity, warmth, and problem-solving, Feldman leads by example. Colleagues describe her as the kind of leader who rolls up her sleeves—literally. Whether it’s guiding a strategic plan or helping plant a tree, she shows up, pitches in, and inspires others to do the same. 

That mix of humility and determination has earned Feldman the trust of her co-workers and the admiration of partners across campus. 

“Carmia’s thoughtful, collaborative style and deep commitment to student development have made her a tremendous asset to the Arboretum and Public Garden, Facilities Management and to the university,” said Clint Lord, vice chancellor, UC Davis Facilities Management. “She’s the ideal person to lead this next chapter.”

Feldman’s fingerprints are on nearly every major initiative of the past two decades. She co-developed the UC Davis GATEways Project—a campus-wide framework that integrates gardens, art, and the environment into themed spaces and associated programs that engage visitors with UC Davis research and teaching. She also played a key role in expanding the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, transforming it into a hub for public plant sales, educational workshops, and student internships.

Perhaps most notably, she helped build the Learning by Leading™ internship program, which empowers students to lead their own teams working on environmental sustainability, land management, and community education. The program now supports over 100 students annually and was honored with the American Public Gardens Association’s Program Excellence Award in 2024. Feldman has also helped secure the philanthropic support necessary to ensure its continued growth.

As director, Feldman sees the Arboretum and Public Garden not only as a beautiful and beloved place, but as a platform for addressing some of society’s most urgent challenges. Under her leadership, the Arboretum and Public Garden aims to remain at the forefront of student environmental leadership programming, continuing to prepare the campus’s landscapes for what scientists predict will be the future climate, and supporting the expansion of academic partnerships —an inspiring model for how public gardens can lead with purpose.

Feldman’s work has garnered national recognition. In 2013, she was named Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the California Institute for Biodiversity, and the following year, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Public Gardens Association, where she served as a Director-at-Large. She continues to present nationally on garden-based learning and community engagement, offering her insights into how public gardens can serve as catalysts for change.

But beyond the accolades, Feldman is valued for the culture she fosters. She’s been a mentor to students, a steady hand during transitions, and a collaborator who listens and acts decisively. As a longtime “right-hand” to Socolofsky, she helped guide the Arboretum and Public Garden through its most ambitious growth period, cultivating a sense of shared ownership among staff, volunteers, and the broader community.

As she steps into the directorship, there is no question that the team already relies on her—and believes in her. With deep institutional knowledge, an unshakable work ethic, and an ability to bring out the best in those around her, Carmia Feldman is uniquely positioned to take the reins and lead the Arboretum and Public Garden into a bright future.