Diane Blazek, Neighbor

From the rich soil of her Missouri family farm upbringing to the colorful green spaces of her suburban lot, Diane Blazek's passion for horticulture and agriculture has been a lifelong journey. As the Executive Director of the National Garden Bureau, she channels this deep-seated enthusiasm into leading all their programs, including the esteemed All-America Selections (AAS) trialing program. Following 15 years as President and Publisher of Ball Publishing, Diane found her true calling in her current role (since 2010), where she enjoys fostering a love for gardening among consumers. Her leadership is driving an exciting era of growth for both NGB and AAS, marked by the development of creative and forward-thinking programs designed to engage consumers, empower garden communicators, enrich public gardens, and support industry professionals