Staff

Sally Rubin, a retired attorney committed to improving the quality of life in New Jersey through civic activity, joined GSWA in January, 2008. A lifelong resident of Somerset Hills, she brings a wealth of community involvement and experience to the position. She served two terms as a member of the Bedminster Township Committee (2006-2011) and was also a member of the Bedminster Planning Board for six years. Additionally. Ms. Rubin previously served on the Boards of Education for Bedminster and the Somerset Hills School District. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in psychology and holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. As a result of her tireless efforts for GSWA, Ms. Rubin received an Environmental Champions Award from the EPA in 2017.

Lynne joined GSWA in 2020 after a 13-year career at the YMCA. She served as a Wellness department lead at both the Westfield area and the Somerset Hills YMCAs. Her passion for wellness and helping others led her to these roles where she served as an advocate for the Y in the community, developed many successful partnerships, and cultivated donor relationships. Lynne lives in Morristown with her husband, Jon. They love the natural beauty and hiking available in northwestern NJ. Additionally, Lynne enjoys exercising, being outdoors, listening to great music, reading, seeing beautiful art, cooking (and eating) good food and spending time with her family. Her interest in health connects perfectly with GSWA’s focus on clean water as it relates to a healthy environment. Born and raised in NYC, Lynne has a special affinity for GSWA’s growth in the urban communities in our watershed.

Hazel is GSWA’s Director of Education and Outreach and Land Steward. Before joining GSWA in 2004, she worked in the Great Swamp for a decade as a Naturalist with Somerset County Park Commission, creating and conducting environmental education programs for all ages, and as Executive Director of the Whitesbog Preservation Trust in the NJ Pine Barrens. Hazel develops and conducts educational water quality focused programs for students of all ages and the broader community. She manages the stewardship at GSWA’s Conservation Management Area, coordinating restoration at the site. A native of Scotland, she has degrees in Zoology and Botany, and a master’s in Ecology and Environmental Management.

Izzy joined the staff in May 2024. Through the creation and running of Flower Power Flea Market & Festival, a North Jersey event showcasing local businesses, artisans, and organizations, Izzy brings a passion for supporting local communities through events.  At GSWA, she will oversee daily office operations, coordinate the annual gala fundraiser, and organize various fundraising, social, and program events throughout the year. Driven by the desire to make a positive impact, Izzy works with animal welfare and rescue programs, small businesses, and, of course, GSWA.

Wade’s background is in show business where he spent fourteen years in New York City working as an actor, stage manager and producer. Then along came triplet boys at the end of 1998 requiring he and his wife Linda to flee the city and move to Morristown! Wade has since worked in development positions for the State Theatre of New Jersey; Paper Mill Playhouse, Nederlander Presentations, the Morris Museum, and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. He is a trustee of Kirby Episcopal House and the Guilford Foundation and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Morristown Club. Before joining the GSWA staff in 2017, Wade served on the Advisory Council and subsequently the Board of Trustees for the organization. Wade enjoys seeing the wild fox, deer and birds of prey so prevalent in this part of Morris County.

Sue joined the staff in July, 2011. She is responsible for the organization’s financial management. In addition, she is the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees. Sue has an extensive background in sales and financial management in petro chemicals and mortgage banking, and has held senior management positions in each of these areas. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Finance from Rutgers University and a M.B.A. from Rutgers University.

Sandra joined the staff in March of 2016. Prior to joining GSWA she worked as a water quality specialist and restoration ecologist managing water quality programs and restoration projects. Sandra is a native of northern New Jersey and attended Cook College, Rutgers University. Sandra oversees our water quality monitoring efforts and organizes our citizen science volunteers who assist in collecting a wide scope of data throughout the watershed. In 2019, Sandra established and implemented GSWA’s first-ever microplastics sampling protocol and integrated it into her water quality monitoring program.

Nancy joined the staff in 2021. She brings her advertising agency experience from her previous company she ran for 25 years, Brigham & Rago, as well at other agency and client-side positions throughout her career. Her most recent position was as the Content Design and Production Manager for Korn Hynes Advertising in Morristown. A graduate of Kean University, Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications with a specialization in Graphic Design. At GSWA, Nancy oversees membership, social media, and website management. She tries to live the minimalist, simple life incorporating the three R’s of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle into all she does. Nancy’s hobbies also include family genealogy and birding.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Alex joined GSWA in June of 2024 after spending 9 years in south Florida working in watershed conservation and education. She has worked with sea turtles, alligators, owls, and mangrove shorelines, and has experience in water quality and bacterial sampling. Alex joins GSWA as our Education and Water Quality Associate and is excited to support the health and wellbeing of the Great Swamp ecosystem, its watershed, and the surrounding communities. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Unity Environmental University.

Val Thorpe joined the GSWA staff in 2017. After many years in the corporate world, she discovered her passion for environmental non-profit work, starting off at the Musconetcong Watershed Association. Val is responsible for internal and external communications including the organization’s public relations efforts, creating marketing materials, and developing website content. She produces the annual Great Swamp Great Music festival, plans development events, and oversees the membership base. As a lifelong camper and hiker and advocate of all things outdoors, Val believes this is where she can make her strongest impact.

Ginger joined GSWA in the summer of 2021. Before to that, she was an invasive strike team member at another environmental non-profit organization, located in the heart of Ramapo Mountain State Forest. Ginger graduated summa cumme laude from Ramapo College with a degree in Environmental Science in 2020. While attending Ramapo College, her passion for land stewardship led her to volunteer with the GSWA as well as the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. At GSWA, Ginger assists in environmental education programs as well as stewardship of our Conservation Management Area (CMA).