Matt Rader, President of PHS, Receives Coveted Eisenhower Fellowship

Rader joins a network of global dynamic change agents; shares PHS’s mission and impact, while discovering the work of other thought leaders that drive
 positive change in their respective fields

PHILADELPHIA, PA- February 21st, 2022 - Matt Rader, president of one of Philadelphia’s premier nonprofit organizations, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), has been selected as a recipient of the highly coveted Eisenhower Fellowship. The Eisenhower Fellowship program identifies, empowers, and connects innovative leaders through a transformative fellowship experience and lifelong engagement in a global network of dynamic change agents committed to creating a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world. As an Eisenhower Fellow, Rader will join other outstanding professionals to showcase PHS’s mission, vision, and organizational values with a new, global audience.

Eisenhower Fellowships is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit international leadership organization with a distinguished history of awarding exceptional U.S. leaders from all professional fields a four or five-week fellowship abroad. Matt Rader’s selection as an Eisenhower Fellow will aid in creating valuable, global connections for PHS, build on the organization’s reputation for excellence, and expose new audiences to the valuable, impactful work PHS does in the Greater Philadelphia region. As PHS’s 37th President, Rader has focused PHS on using horticulture to advance the health and well-being of local Philadelphia communities and has led more than 100 PHS team members to deliver transformational projects that increase horticulture’s impact. He has led efforts to engage people to work with PHS to positively impact their neighborhoods and the region, expanding PHS’s work to serve more than 250 neighborhoods. In 2019, PHS adopted Vision 2027, an innovative strategy to unlock the potential of plants and gardens to improve health and well-being by positively impacting four social determinants of health: building meaningful social connections, creating more livable environments, expanding access to fresh food, and increasing economic opportunity.

During the Eisenhower Fellowship, Rader will travel to Germany and Spain to meet with thought leaders to further deliver on PHS’s plan for Vision 2027, as well as its work through collaborative learning. Ultimately, he intends to design a program to create a national community of gardeners working together to deliver collective social and environmental impact. With 74% of U.S. households participating in lawn or garden care, Rader believes converting even a small share to PHS’s ethos of “Gardening for the Greater Good” would yield significant positive social impact.

“I am extraordinarily honored to have received the Eisenhower Fellowship, and I am so excited for this opportunity to convene with other outstanding professionals doing impactful work in their respective fields. I’m looking forward to this global experience where I can learn more about the cutting-edge solutions others are developing to solve the complex, nuanced problems of today’s world, while sharing and showcasing the amazing work PHS has done to increase health, well-being, and equity through horticulture.”

For more information on the Eisenhower Fellowship, please visit:

ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY  
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia Region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer. For information and to support this impactful work, please visit PHSonline.org. 

ABOUT EISENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS 
Eisenhower Fellowships is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit international leadership organization with a distinguished history of awarding exceptional U.S. leaders ages 32-45 from all professional fields a four or five-week fellowship abroad. Each year 10 USA Eisenhower Fellows are selected and travel for five weeks to one or two countries in the EF network, one of whom is an active farmer or rancher representing EF’s Agriculture Fellowship. In addition, 10 Zhi-Xing China Eisenhower Fellows are awarded a four-week fellowship focused exclusively on China. 

Eisenhower Fellowships identifies, empowers and connects innovative leaders through a transformative fellowship experience and lifelong engagement in a global network of dynamic change agents committed to creating a world more peaceful, prosperous and just. For more information, please visit efworld.org.