Contact Us
Tohono Chul
Quick Links
General Inquiries: info@tohonochul.org
Donation Requests: philanthropy@tohonochul.org
Membership Inquiries: membership@tohonochul.org
Event Inquiries: eventdept@tohonochul.org
Retail Inquiries: museumshops@tohonochul.org
Education/Tour Inquiries: education@tohonochul.org
Gallery Inquiries: exhibits@tohonochul.org
Media Requests: marketing@tohonochul.org
Connect with us
Staff
Administrative Offices
Jamie Maslyn Larson
President/CEO x. 212
ceo@tohonochul.org
Danielle Sombati
Director of Guest Experience x. 219
dsombati@tohonochul.org
Katy Shaw
Human Resources Manager x. 221
humanresources@tohonochul.org
Denise Wiscount
Accounting & Payroll Manager x. 216
accounting@tohonochul.org
Darin Guthrie
Senior Finance Consultant
(520) 207-4518 x. 101
dguthrie@tohonochul.org
Hailey Cheek
Marketing & Communications Manager x. 222
hcheek@tohonochul.org
Events & Event Rentals
Sylvia Verbais
Events Manager x. 227
sverbais@tohonochul.org
Catarina Scarpetti
Private Rentals Sales Manager x. 229
cscarpetti@tohonochul.org
Exhibits, Education & Volunteering
James Schaub
Director of Arts x. 218
exhibits@tohonochul.org
Karen Hayes
Associate Curator & Collections Manager x. 217
exhibits@tohonochul.org
Luke Takata
Engagement Manager x. 235
ltakata@tohonochul.org
Volunteer & Docent Program
Guest Services & Retail
Lisa Mier
Retail & Admissions Manager x. 213
museumshops@tohonochul.org
Maria Tyler
Guest Services Coordinator x. 213
mtyler@tohonochul.org
Development & Membership
Frank Vidal
Development & Membership Manager x. 261
fvidal@tohonochul.org
Doreen Wolf
Development & Membership Coordinator x. 246
dwolf@tohonochul.org
Gardens & Nursery
Jack Dash
Gardens & Facilities Manager x. 247
jdash@tohonochul.org
Jakob Heitkamp
Desert Corner Nursery Coordinator x. 239
jheitkamp@tohonochul.org
Juliana Ahumada
Living Collections Coordinator x. 234
jahumada@tohonochul.org
Visit our Private Events page for more information!
Location Shooting
Tohono Chul is a stunning location for photography and filming, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Sonoran Desert. We welcome inquiries from photographers and filmmakers seeking to capture the unique landscapes and vibrant flora of our gardens.
Please note that we receive many requests, particularly during our busy seasons, and while we strive to assist everyone, our resources are limited. If you are interested in scheduling a shoot, we encourage you to reach out with details about your project at your earliest convenience.
During your visit, we kindly ask that you respect the environment by avoiding disturbance to plants and wildlife and ensuring that paths remain unobstructed for other visitors. Drones are never permitted on the premises without prior authorization.
Each member of your party will be required to pay the admission fee and you may be subject to additional fees based on the scope of your project.
Thank you for considering Tohono Chul as your filming location!
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Carol Massanari
Growing up on a farm in PA, Carol developed a love of nature and gardening at an early age. She fell in love with the Southwest after moving to Albuquerque to go to graduate school, and after moving from NM to WY to UT to KY, she finally settled in Tucson, where she discovered a love of the Sonoran Desert. Carol retired from a 25+ year career in special education (including instruction, leadership, and policy) and wanted something new to focus on, which led her to volunteer at Tohono Chul and ultimately to the docent class, opening a whole new world of learning and opportunity. Carol loves learning and sharing information about the Sonoran Desert, with a special interest in plants, birds, and the interaction between people and plants. In addition to spending time at TC, she enjoys golfing, gardening, and hiking. Always up for new opportunities to learn, she joined the Philanthropy Committee as a volunteer representative before joining the Board. Expertise: Special Education
Don Jenks
Don Jenks is a retired commercial banker with an impressive 48-year career in the financial industry, including the last 38 years in Tucson. He most recently served as Tucson President for CrossFirst Bank and previously spent 19 years with the NBA and 12 years as Chief Credit Officer for Bank of Tucson. Throughout his career and into retirement, Don has been deeply committed to giving back to the Tucson community. He has volunteered with several local nonprofits and has served as Chairman of the Board for both the YMCA and The Nonprofit Loan Fund (now Growth Partners Arizona). Don and his wife, Lisa, have been proud members of Tohono Chul since 1996. When he’s not volunteering, Don enjoys spending time with his four children and six grandchildren—and sneaks in a round of golf whenever he can. Expertise: Banking, Finance
Mission & Vision
Mission Statement
The mission of Tohono Chul is to create a community oasis where reverence for the cultural and natural ecology of the Sonoran Desert region inspires responsible stewardship so that future generations may thrive.
Vision Statement
We envision a Tohono Chul that is:
- An immersive environment — celebrating the wonders of the Sonoran Desert
- A commons — integral to the community, meaningfully engaging with the diverse histories and cultures of the region
- An ecological leader — championing actionable, nature-based solutions to the core environmental challenges facing arid lands