World Federation of Rose Societies – Executive Committee
PRESIDENT
Sushil Prakash
INDIA
I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession, but an environmentalist by nature.
My love for roses started during my early college days, and I am exhibiting roses in rose shows since 1986. My private garden contains over 600 rose bushes. Apart from competing in exhibitions, I am actively involved in conducting trainings, providing consultancy, judging and giving talks on Radio and Television. As President of the local Rose Society for many years, I have successfully organized All India Rose Conventions at National level. Now, I am looking forward to the 21st WFRS World Convention in my city Bhopal- to be held in January 2028.
For the WFRS, I have already attended 13 conventions (world, regional and heritage) and was a speaker at them as well. I served as a Treasurer from 2022 to 2025. In Fukuyama Japan in May 2025, I was elected as WFRS president and would like to spread the passion of roses worldwide.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Marga Verwer
NETHERLAND
Over 30 years ago I became a member of the Dutch Rose Society. I finished serving as a treasurer after 12 years, and then started attending WFRS conventions regularly, and judging at International Rose Trials. In Copenhagen I became WFRS chairman of the International Trials Committee. September 2024, I took over the role of webmaster from Derek Lawrence. When my 2 terms of chairman Int. Rose Trials were completed at Fukuyama, I became the Editor for World Rose News. This ended already per January 2026 when I took over the function of Executive Director from Derek Lawrence. I will remain very active not only at the WFRS conventions and conferences, but will continue to be widely present at rose trials and rose events, to keep in touch with the rose world at all levels.
TREASURER
Claudia Hacker
GERMANY
I am a certified Accountant. I worked 10 years at Sparkasse Platting before joining my Family business.
My love for roses dates back to my childhood. My mother had a beautiful bed full of red roses, which had a profound impact on me. She told me the story of Princess Elisabeth of Thuringia, who gave bread to the needy, something her family forbade. When her husband checked the basket, it contained roses. A truly enchanting story.
In my garden, located on the Danube at the foot of the Bavarian Forest, 300 roses bloom. I must admit, my passion lies with rambling roses. I’ve planted 13 ‘Super Excelsa’ roses on a pergola; they bloom well into November. ‘Bobby James’ grows on one double arch, ‘Felicité et Perpétue’ on another, ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ on large ironwood trees.
I particularly enjoy traveling to the World Rose Congresses. This led me to visit rose enthusiasts in South Africa, France, Denmark, and Japan. I even participated in nine regional and heritage conferences, where I was able to expand my knowledge, admire beautiful rose gardens, and look forward to meeting my dear rose friends every year.
At our regular rose gatherings in Lower Bavaria Rose Society, I give a presentation about each conference after every trip. In the Lower Bavaria Rose Society, and especially for me, maintaining contact with Czech rose enthusiasts is important and as part of the Euregio project, we completed and opened two themed rose collections, one in the town of Blatná (Czech Republic) and the other here in Atzelberg/Fürsteneck.
I was asked to take on the honorary position of treasurer in the World Federation of Rose Society and after the election it is an honor for me to take up this office from 1 January 2026 and I look forward to the new tasks that come my way and am currently familiarizing myself with them.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Diane vom Berg
AUSTRALIA
Having served as Treasurer and President of the WFRS I am looking forward to continuing working with the Officers of the WFRS to promote the rose far and wide.
Living in Adelaide, Australia I began my interest in roses about 30 years ago. As we have an ideal climate for growing roses it’s always a challenge to find space for another rose!!
I look forward to attending the planned upcoming conventions in China, USA & India.
EXECUTIVE ADVISOR
Derek Lawrence
UNITED KINGDOM
It’s a privilege and honour to serve the WFRS as appointed Executive Advisor. I have been growing roses for many years. I particularly adore Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, David Austin cultivars and have recently become an avid collector of miniatures.
My passion has been further enhanced by becoming an accredited show Judge, WFRS International Judge, International Rose Trials Judge and established author. I am a Committee Member of the Rose Society UK, Life Member of the Historic Roses Group and Royal Horticultural Society. I am also actively involved with the Writers Online organisation.
For well over half a Century the World Federation of Rose Societies has been a leading light in spreading the knowledge and infinite charms of the genus rosa around the globe. I previously served the Federation for over ten wonderful years, as Executive Director.
The World Federation of Rose Socieites has a great team of dedicated Officers and I am confident that the organisation will continue to flourish and thrive for many years to come.
VP – AUSTRALASIA
Gavin Woods
AUSTRALIA
My journey with Roses began in the 1970’s when I began exhibiting at a local level. With the hobby now a self-absorbing passion, I have immersed myself into the world of exhibiting, administration and promotion of the rose. Along with partner Kim, travel has become an important part of spreading the “Gospel of the Rose”.I am immensely proud to have been selected to represent Australians as a WFRS Vice-President for a second term and look forward to working with the Executive to progress the Federation.
VP – AUSTRALASIA
Hayden Foulds
NEW ZEALAND
I first joined the Manawatu Rose Society in Palmerston North while still at school in the mid 1990’s. I held numerous positions at local and national levels in New Zealand with one of my main interests being the International Rose Trials in Palmerston North. Currently I am Editor and Immediate Past President for the New Zealand Rose Society and am honoured to represent New Zealand on the WFRS.
I have attended six World Rose Conventions and four Regional rose conventions including the 2013 Regional Convention in Palmerston North where I was part of the organising committee.
A trained horticulturist, I am currently employed as a Propagation Manager for a wholesale native plant nursery near Palmerston North.
VP – NORTH AMERICA
Brenda Viney
CANADA
I have been very active in the Vancouver Rose Society since 1989 and on the Board of Directors since 1990, enjoying various roles as secretary, rose show chair, president in 1999/2000 and finally to membership & communications in 2005, which I still hold today. I thoroughly enjoy travelling the world as well as going to WFRS conventions where I started in 2003 in Glasgow. I have attended seven major conventions, two regional conventions and had the pleasure of co-chairing the 2009 convention in Vancouver. Going to conventions is the best way to travel with your hobby and with like-minded friends from around the world. Gardening has been my life and is my new full-time occupation since retiring.
VP – NORTH AMERICA
Diane Sommers
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
I have been growing roses for over 45 years and currently enjoy a garden of over 300 roses in Wisconsin. I enjoyed a successful career in banking as Finance Director and ended my career negotiating contracts for international companies. For over 40 years I have been active in the American Rose Society, as president of local rose societies, as an ARS board member for over 15 years, and as ARS president from 2021 – 2024. I am a Master Rosarian, a Horticulture Rose Judge and an ARS Arrangement Judge. In addition to my role as WFRS VP for North America, I am currently the president of the Greater Milwaukee Rose Society, a trustee for the ARS MET, the chair of the ARS International Rose Trial in Shreveport, LA and a committee member of the “Save the Rambler” initiative.
VP – SOUTH AMERICA
Inés Díaz de Licandro
URUGUAY
I am a Board member of the Asociación Uruguaya de la Rosa and member of other national and heritage associations. In Punta del Este I have a rose garden with over 700 plants. I undertook a research about heritage roses in more than 50 Uruguayan cities where 2.000 rose bushes have been located, and wrote a book about this research. For the historic Rose Garden Rosedal Juana de Ibarbourou in Montevideo I am happy to help as a volunteer advisor.
I intend to spread the love for the rose especially among young people, to promote the preservation of rare rose varieties and to increase the participation of South American countries in the activities of the WFRS.
VP – EUROPE
Maria Hjort
SWEDEN
My 40 years career in librarianship brought me knowledge and the joy of serving the community. Currently retired, I can enjoy my rose garden and the rose world.
I became a member of the Swedish Rose Society 25 years ago. At that time, I was fascinated by old roses. But the last 15 years my garden expanded to include modern roses and climbers, thus adding layers of complexity and charm.
For the last years I have had the privilege of being president of the Stockholm section of the Swedish Rose Society, as well as co-editor of the SRS magazine “Rosenbladet”.
My wish for the future is to contribute to an ecological attitude, a non-toxic garden life.
VP – EUROPE
Mireille Steil
LUXEMBOURG
In 2009, I proudly joined the “Lëtzebuerger Rousefrënn,” (Luxembourg Rose Society) and it has been a rewarding journey that led me to serve as its president from 2015 to 2021.
In 2018, I took on the role of Vice President of the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS), representing Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Monaco, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Spain.
I’m happy to have established very good contacts in all these countries.
I started my journey in 2012 in South Africa and attended World Rose Conventions in Lyon, Copenhagen, Australia, and Japan.
Additionally, I have participated in various Regional and Heritage Conventions in New Zealand, Germany, India, China, Uruguay, Slovenia, Belgium, and Sweden.
Over the years, I have met many incredible individuals and forged lasting friendships within the rose community.
Now, I am excited to embark on the final three years of my tenure as Vice President.
I look forward to seeing you all in 2028 in India!
VP – EUROPE
Angela Bokor
ROMANIA
Having been a member of the Romanian Rose Society for many years, after attending a few international meetings I realised that roses can make the world a better place.
Accepting the position of Vice-President of WFRS for Eastern Europe, I look forward to working with all rose enthusiasts to promote The Rose.
VP – AFRICA
Vivienne Black
SOUTH AFRICA
I have attended conventions in South Africa, Beijing in China, Lyon in France and in India, and will be attending the convention in Copenhagen, Denmark in June 2018. I was invited by Spek Roses to attend the trials in The Hague. I have visited the Damascena rose farms in Bulgaria, and attended I.F.T.EX International Trade Expo in Nairobi, Kenya, where I visited many rose farms. I have attended the Chelsea Flower Show with Keith Kirsten to view David Austin Roses.
VP – CENTRAL, SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST ASIA
Dr. Narendra Kumar Dadlani
INDIA
Dr. Narendra Kumar Dadlani is an eminent scientist expert, with more than four decades of professional experience in the area of horticulture research & development and the seed sector.
Dr. Dadlani has worked as a freelance consultant serving both national and international (United Nations – Food & Agriculture Organization & UNDP and Asian Development Bank) programs, as International Floriculture / horticulture Expert in several South Asian countries advising on floriculture / horticulture development.
His book on “Indian Rose’ (2021), the only one describing the India rose breeding scenario was well received by rosarians across the country. Dr. Dadlani is the Vice President of the Indian Rose Federation, President of the Bengal Rose Society and a Governing Council Member of the Rose Society of India.
VP – FAR EAST
Wook-Kyun Kim
SOUTH KOREA
My interest in roses began in the second half of my life, drawn by the quiet yet generous beauty they offer. This fascination led me to study people–plant interactions, exploring horticulture from a human-centered perspective. Attending my first WFRS Conference in Sangerhausen in 2013 was a turning point, helping lay the foundations for the South Korea Rose Society.
Together with my wife, I operate a nursing home and assisted-living facility set in the tranquil greenery of a rose garden, bringing the joy of roses into our daily lives and those of our residents. In addition to my work with roses, I am also active in Rotary International, committed to serving the community.
Chairmen 2025 – 2028
CONVENTION LIAISON
Henrianne de Briey
BELGIUM
Born in a rose bed, WFRS President 2018-2022, I am proud to continue to promote the rose around the world and look forward to work closely with the country members to progress the WFRS in its approach of sharing knowledge about the rose.
AWARDS
Daniel Boulens
FRANCE
Member of the French Roses Society for many years, I was the director of the Department of Parks and Gardens of the City of Lyon, and its famous and awarded rose garden in Tete d’Or Park.
I was totally involved in the organisation of the WFRS LYON 2015 convention.
Judge in many international roses trials.
PROMOTIONS
Diane vom Berg
AUSTRALIA
Having served as Treasurer and President of the WFRS I am looking forward to continuing working with the Officers of the WFRS to promote the rose far and wide. Living in Adelaide, Australia I began my interest in roses about 30 years. As we have an ideal climate for growing roses it’s always a challenge to find space for another rose!! I look forward to attending the planned upcoming conventions in China, USA & India.
INTERNATIONAL JUDGES
Pauline Martin
UNITED KINGDOM
I am excited about being appointed as WFRS Chairman of International Judges. For over 50 years I have been involved with roses and latterly have been heavily involved in setting standards for judging at UK rose shows. I am an accredited judge both in the UK and the USA. My husband Ray and I run the amateur shows in the UK and have been actively showing roses for over 45 years. I am looking forward to supporting members of the WFRS to establish some common standards.
INTERNATIONAL ROSE TRIALS
Jean-Pierre Lelièvre
FRANCE
For over 40 years, I’ve been working in the world of roses, whether producing roses for cut flowers, potted roses or managing rose gardens. For the past 20 years, I’ve been in charge of the Paris-Bagatelle International Rose Competition. Every year, I am pleased to take part as a judge in several other rose competitions.
I am a member of the roses section of the Société Nationale d’Horticulture de France with whom I contributed to the production of the new guide to Europe’s rose gardens in 2023..
CONSERVATION & HERITAGE
Inés Díaz de Licandro
URUGUAY
I am a Board member of the Asociación Uruguaya de la Rosa and member of other national and heritage associations. In Punta del Este I have a rose garden with over 700 plants. I undertook a research about heritage roses in more than 50 Uruguayan cities where 2.000 rose bushes have been located, and wrote a book about this research. For the historic Rose Garden Rosedal Juana de Ibarbourou in Montevideo I am happy to help as a volunteer advisor.
I intend to spread the love for the rose especially among young people, to promote the preservation of rare rose varieties and to increase the participation of South American countries in the activities of the WFRS.
PUBLICATIONS
Angelika Throll-Keller
GERMANY
Being appointed as Chairman of Publications at the World Rose Convention in Adelaide in 2022, I am very happy to continue the successful work together with the Executive committee, the editor of the World Rose News and the social media team as well as with the other chairmen. I have graduated as UNIV Horticultural Engineer and am the editor of several rose books.
Photo: © Nathalie Dautel, Baden-Baden/Stadt Baden-Baden, Germany.
EDITOR
SOUTH AFRICA
I am a professional librarian and have been growing roses for over 30 years.
My love for roses began in my childhood, and my small suburban garden has a mix of David Austen roses, old garden roses and modern roses.
I am a member of ROSA, the Federation of Rose Societies of South Africa as well as the Heritage Rose Society of South Africa, and currently the Editor of the ROSA newsletter.
I have attended two ROSA national conventions and hope to attend international conventions in future.
I look forward to working with the WFRS office bearers and other rose enthusiasts to promote the love of the rose for future generations.
THE BREEDERS’ CLUB
Markus Brunsing
I am a landscape architect and head of the Garden Department of the City of Baden-Baden and have worked for about 20 years professionally with roses.I am responsible for the rose gardens “Gönneranlage” and “Rose Novelty Garden Beutig” in Baden-Baden and furthermore director of the International Rose Trials in Baden-Baden. From 2012 to 2018 I was Chairman of the International Rose Trials Committee and from 2022 to 2025 Chairman of the Classification and Registration Committee. In 2025 I was appointed Chairman of Breeders´ Club.
markus.brunsing@baden-baden.de
