The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association has hired Cyndi Lauderdale as its new director of education. Lauderdale brings more than 29 years of experience in horticultural education and leadership.
Lauderdale most recently served as a horticulture extension agent for NC State University in Wilson County, where she offered educational outreach and community engagement, plus developed practical horticultural programs. She has delivered workshops and resources on topics including soil science, plant propagation, and pest and disease management. Her expertise has been featured in publications such as Our State and American Nurseryman.
As director of education, Lauderdale will oversee the planning and execution of all NCNLA educational initiatives, including Green & Growin’ Education, the Carolina Nursery Summit (which debuted in June 2025), the NCNLA Scholarship Program, and the Certified Plant Professional and Future Plant Professional certification programs.
“We are excited to welcome Cyndi to the NCNLA team,” says Katie Bennett, executive vice president of NCNLA. “Her industry expertise, passion for horticultural education, and longstanding service to the industry make her the ideal person to guide our educational efforts and collaborate with our committees and members.”
“Joining NCNLA feels like a natural next step,” Lauderdale says. “I have a long history with the association, going all the way back to when it was NCAN. I was the first woman outside of the green industry to receive the Libby Wilder Award, and I’m incredibly proud of that honor. One of the highlights of my Extension career was teaching NCNLA’s Certified Plant Professional program to professionals across the state. Education opens doors, and I’m excited to bring my experience to this organization and its members, whom I truly enjoy working with, so we can keep opening more together.”