The lily pond at Prado at Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
The lily pond at Prado at Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone

Nonprofit organization Forever Balboa Park, which works to tackle the historic park’s most significant challenges, announced Tuesday that it had begun a national search for a new president and CEO.

The organization, formed from the recent merger of Friends of Balboa Park and the Balboa Park Conservancy, says the chosen candidate “will be a diplomat, fundraiser, conservationist and community influencer who is impactful beyond the confines of the park.”

According to a statement from Forever Balboa Park, the position’s primary roles include “raising the park’s national profile, enhancing the visitor experience and establishing a sustainable operations model to support the city of San Diego in fostering a best-in-class 21st-century botanical garden and cultural park.”

The group says it hopes to finalize its selection early next year.

Joyce Gattas, board member and chair of the search committee, said, “We are excited to welcome a CEO that inspires a community of belonging. Balboa Park will benefit from a visionary leader with innovative approaches to both collaboration and fundraising, providing San Diego with a world-class park that is welcoming to all.”

The nonprofit has enlisted consulting firm Potrero Group to lead its search. Potrero’s founder and principal, Cleveland Justis, said, “We’re incredibly honored to support this search. Balboa Park is an iconic urban park — one of the best in our nation — we’re confident that this opportunity is going to generate tremendous interest.”

More information on the position’s specifications can be found at www.potrerogroup.com.

Interested candidates were advised to apply via email by sending a cover letter describing their qualifications that match the criteria and what they bring to the role, along with a resume, to Justis at cjustis@potrerogroup.com.

City News Service contributed to this article.