Full Name
Kristi Challender
Job Title
Trial Garden Operations Manger
Company
Raker-Roberta's Young PLants
Speaker Bio
With 24 years at Raker-Roberta's, I bring deep-rooted expertise in horticulture, garden management, and research and development. For the past 3 years, I’ve served as Trail Garden Operation Manager, leading the planning, setup, and coordination of our extensive trial gardens. My involvement with these gardens' dates back to their inception, giving me a unique perspective on their evolution and impact.
In my dual role as R&D Manager, I specialize in growing out and evaluating new plant varieties for marketing and commercial viability. I also oversee the development and execution of QVC set support for Roberta’s, ensuring that high-quality, visually impactful plants are ready for televised sales.
I thrive at the intersection of horticultural science, marketing strategy, and hands-on production—helping bring innovative and beautiful plants to market.
Kristi Challender