Mary Brinegar joined the Dallas Arboretum in 1996 as President and CEO. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, she was previously employed at KERA/Channel 13 and The Dallas Opera for nine years each. At the Arboretum she is responsible for the management of a full time staff of 170, and for the annual operating budget of $24.6 million. She has won many awards for her fundraising leadership and accomplishments while at the garden. Since she joined the botanic garden, the board and staff have raised over $100 million dollars for capital improvements including new buildings, gardens and the renovation of the historic homes. The Arboretum currently has 40,000 members and attendance is expected to attract over a million guests in 2019.