Discovery Green Conservancy hires full time Development Director 

Susy Smith brings non-profit development skills to Houston’s new downtown park

HOUSTON (June 1, 2009) – Discovery Green Conservancy announces the hire of Susy Smith as Development Director for the Houston downtown park. As Development Director, Smith will focus on building a sponsorship program to support the unique free programming provided at the park. She will also create an annual giving program to help fund the operations of the park. 

“Discovery Green has had a tremendous first year with more than 700,000 visitors to the park, and we are focused on a long-term financial strategy to continue offering free programming and a fun environment to the public,” said Guy Hagstette, Discovery Green Conservancy President. “Susy Smith has valuable experience in non-profit fundraising, and we are delighted that she has joined our team.”

Smith most recently served as Director of Development for the Memorial Hermann Foundation, working on the Life Flight Campaign. Prior to her time at Memorial Hermann she served as Director of Development for The Parish School for more than three years and Director of Development for the United Way of Houston for 10 years. 

“I look forward to working with corporate and individual partners to help support the free programming and operations at Discovery Green,” said Smith.   “Our current challenge is that most Houstonians do not realize that the Discovery Green Conservancy is a non-profit organization. We know that many Houston-based organizations will be interested in sponsoring our unique programming from exercise classes to outdoor concerts, all free of charge and open to the community.”

Discovery Green Conservancy is a 501 (c)(3) organization responsible for the park’s development and operations. The park receives funding from the City of Houston for basic maintenance and security. Generous donors and sponsors in the last year have enabled Discovery Green to offer more than 400 free and diverse programs for Houstonians and visitors to the city. The Conservancy created a full-time Development Director position to execute a strategic annual giving and sponsorship program to maintain and expand the current programming of the downtown park.

About Discovery Green

Located in downtown Houston, Discovery Green is 12 acres of urban green space including one-acre lake, children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and large dog runs, and two restaurants, the Grove and Lake House operated by Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group. The park is free and open to the public.