Harriet Resnick
About Harriet Resnick
Harriet Resnick serves as the Vice President of Visitor Experience and Business Development at The Chicago Botanic Garden, where she has worked since 2006. She has led significant initiatives, including the implementation of a per person admission fee and the development of new public programs that increased earned revenues.
Work at Chicago Botanic Garden
Harriet Resnick serves as the Vice President of Visitor Experience and Business Development at The Chicago Botanic Garden. She has held this position since 2006, contributing to various strategic initiatives that enhance visitor engagement and revenue generation. Resnick played a key role in implementing a per person admission fee, which marked the largest initiative in the Garden's 49-year history. This involved obtaining approvals from the Board of Directors and the Cook County Board, as well as conducting financial modeling and strategic pricing rollout.
Education and Expertise
Resnick holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Chicago, where she studied Education Policy from 1994 to 1996. She also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, completing her studies from 1987 to 1991. Her educational background supports her expertise in policy development and strategic planning within the context of visitor experience and business development.
Background
Resnick has been involved in the Chicago Botanic Garden for 18 years, focusing on enhancing visitor experiences and developing new public programs. Her leadership has led to significant initiatives, including the development of Lightscape, a program that notably increased the Garden's earned revenues from 10% to nearly 20% of the total budget. Additionally, she led the implementation of a new enterprise-wide Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to improve visitor engagement.
Achievements
Under Resnick's leadership, The Chicago Botanic Garden has seen substantial growth in its revenue streams and visitor programs. The introduction of a per person admission fee was a landmark decision that required extensive planning and collaboration with various stakeholders. The successful rollout of new public programs, including Lightscape, has contributed to a significant increase in earned revenue, reflecting her effective strategic planning and execution.