Matthew Stephens

Executive Director 
Mount Auburn Cemetery

Matthew Stephens (he/him/his) is the 14th President & CEO of Mount Auburn Cemetery.  Before coming to Mount Auburn, he led three of San Francisco’s most treasured public gardens: the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and Botanical Garden. Earlier in his career, he led MillionTreesNYC, a complex citywide initiative that planted one million trees across New York City. It was an early sign that Matthew was drawn to ambitious goals, multidisciplinary organizations rooted in nature, and the occasional opportunity to get dirt under his fingernails.  At Mount Auburn, Matthew is helping shape the next chapter of one of the nation’s most significant cultural landscapes. His leadership has brought new energy, visibility, and momentum to this historic institution, strengthening its role as an active cemetery, public garden, place of reflection, and cultural landmark. ​

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