League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes
Board Bios
Jackie Bay, Observer Corps
I moved to Mountain Lakes almost a year and a half ago with my husband, Pierre, and our 2 children Julia and Luc. We were excited to move back to the east coast after 5 years in Kansas City. Although the Midwest had many advantages, we were too far from the mountains, too far from our families and found it a challenge to integrate into the community. Mountain Lakes is a world of difference on all fronts and we're very glad to be here. My husband is French and we're very involved with his family and travel back frequently. Having a bi-cultural family is a great experience. We're also avid outdoors people and love to travel. Our kids have yet to visit Disneyland but they have explored slot canyons, kayaked fjords, canoe/camped all over MO, skied numerous mountains and hiked more miles than you would think little feet could possibly do! My background is in consumer product marketing with my last position in KC with Mars Masterfoods pet care. I have a Bachelors in English Lit and Economics from Univ of North Carolina and an MBA from NYU. I am supposed to be looking for a new position but can usually be found driving my kids to swimming, soccer and piano or running Julia's Brownies Troop, the Gourmet Club, or Observer Corps! I joined the League because it provides the best mix of social and substance. This is an amazing town filled with very capable women who can make a real difference - and have fun doing it!
Adrienne Burg-Charwat, Secretary
I moved to Mountain Lakes five years ago with my husband and three children because of strong sense of community. I have volunteered with the Leauge as Publicity Director and VP of Community and remain on the board to continue working with a great team of intelligent and dedicated individuals. I graduated from the UMass, Amherst and earned my Masters in Audiology from Gallaudet University in Wash, D.C. My former career as an audiologist was fulfilling and working part time was the perfect balance when my children were younger. Community involvement in the League, volunteering at Wildwood and Scouting has taken over the void of Audiology. I look forward to another great year with the League.
Sylvia Campbell, Finance Drive
I'm a Jersey girl and a resident of Denville since 1981. I grew up in Chatham and went off to Mount Holyoke College to get my BA. Not knowing what to do with my poli.sci. degree, I "backed" into teaching and then spent 39 rewarding years in the Parsippany school system--basically "retained" in the eighth grade. I was privileged to be recognized by the Parsippany Jaycees and the Governor. I belong to the local and state AAUW's, and am recording secretary for both. I'm a charter member of the local chapte of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary women teachers' sorority and was so pleased two years ago to receive the state's Distinguished Educator Award (remember, I "backed in..."). I've been a member of Earthwatch since l983 and have enjoyed participating in 22 (so far) projects all over the world. I'm also the daughter of a woman who was a charter member of the Chatham League and so am a League "orphan." The circle is complete.
Marcia Craig, Speakers
My family and I made the "big" move from Parsippany to Mountain Lakes in the Spring of 2007. My husband, Alex, and my two children Paige (5) and Jack (2) and I are just thrilled to be in this great community. I am a graduate of Binghamton University with an interdisciplinary degree in Politics, Philosophy of Law and History. I worked for 10 years in Underwriting Management for State Farm Insurance Cos and have spent the last 5 years at home with my kids. I first became involved with the League to meet some people and get involved in the community and wow did I meet an unbelievable group of women! I enjoy reading, shopping and spending time with my family and friends.
Judy Edwards, VP Programming
Like many of you, I've led a nomadic life with twelve moves since my college days at The University of Michigan. The view from my window varied from pastures to skyscrapers but home life was centered on the inevitable hullabaloo that comes from raising four children. My volunteer work was a vehicle to connect quickly with our new communities. In the early years, it centered on the kid's activities and later, branched out to civic causes; the most notable being the year I chaired our small town's Police and Fire Commission. When my husband, Tom, and I decided to return to New Jersey a year ago, we focused our home search on small towns and we've been delighted with the community spirit found in Mountain Lakes. Within a month of our move, I joined the Woodlands Committee, the Garden Club and the League, becoming part of the Green Community Project and the folks I've met through these activities have been an inspiration by truly making a difference in this community.
Mara Gellman, Social Chair
In July 2002, I moved to Mountain Lakes with my husband, Jim and my daughters, Ali (now 13) and Jillian (now 10). I am a graduate of Lafayette College with a degree in Economics and French. Prior to the birth of my children, I worked in commercial banking. Since taking "early retirement", I have kept busy with my daughters and have been involved as a volunteer in their schools since their Nursery School days. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading and skiing.
Sarina Grodofsky, VP Membership
We moved to Mountain Lakes 12 years ago while helping friends from Long Island look for a place to live in NJ. We fell in love with this community and settled right in while our friends stayed in Long Island (their loss). Originally from the Midwest, I immediately felt at home here. I have a Master's in Nursing from Boston College and am a Nurse Practitioner. I mostly worked in Women' health but did a short stint at Minute Clinic. I "retired" about 2 years ago and find my days busy enough with two teenage daughters, Ariel (17) and Aleeza (14) and my husband who often works from home. I joined the league 8 years ago and have had various positions including babysitting, finance drive, and logowear. I am thrilled to be VP of Membership and to work with such intelligent, hard working and inspiring women! We truly can make a difference in our community.
Jeana Macleod, Historian
I moved to Mountain Lakes in 1999 from Basel Switzerland. I am originally from Charleston South Carolina. I live with my two sons; Owen is 17 and Teegan is 13. I have been active in the League from the first, and joined the board in 2000. I worked my way up from Babysitting Coordinator to President, and am currently serving as Historian. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona, and a Master's degree in Publishing from George Washington University. I am a full-time stay at home mom, and definitely use my education degree every day! I am passionate about environmental issues, and am part of the Green Community Project ReThink team. I am also a member of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety committee. I am currently a student in the Rutgers Master Gardener program.
Nancy O'Reilly, Voter Services
Hugh and I and our children, Allison (Decker) and Hugh moved to Mountain Lakes in 1976. It was and is our physical Eden; Allison rode her horse through the town and the Tourne and we all ran, sailed, kayaked, swam and cycled. Mountain Lakes was and is also our intellectual magnet with involvement in the schools, AAUW, Foreign Policy groups, United Nations Weekend and most dramatically, League. I have a Master's degree in Student Special Services and one in Literature. In 2005 my first book, Latin Not Dead, Greek. Alive and Well in Today's Words was published. Beyond the gift of my family and friendships here, my great fortune also includes the stimulation of the eager, open minds of the students of M.L.H.S and County College of Morris to whom I taught Non-Western Literature.
Dana Pogorzelski, Action
When my husband, Tim Willke, and I arrived in Mountain Lakes in 1992, our only children were two cats. Today we have two different cats, but we've added three human children to the mix: Bridget (14), Jane (12) and Jack (8). I got involved in a few League studies several years ago, and then took a 4 year break when my husband and I took an assignment in Waterloo, Belgium. Upon my return in 2006, I got right back into League business by working with a great team on Year of Focus. The quality of both the people and the projects is what drew me right back to the League.
Gretchen Riccardi, Membership
My husband, Joe, my daughter Jessica, and I moved to Mountain Lakes in July, '99. In quick succession, we had a tree fall on our house and I had twin boys, Mike and Matt. Needless to say, we had a few very busy years. I have happily retired (early) from my career at Nabisco and became a full-time mom. Since joining the league in the fall of '06, I have assumed the role of Membership Director. This job, oddly enough, is a great fit with my Marketing Research background. I spend most of my time keeping up with my children's hectic lives. They are involved in sports, scouts, music, horses, science and chess. Needless to say, but I am a big fan of carpools! In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and "walking the Boulevard" with friends.
Lilian Rosenstreich, Publicity
My family has lived in Mountain Lakes for 10 years. I first joined the League in 2002 when my children were small and I was starved for three syllable words. The intelligent group that makes up the League was just what I was looking for. My kids are bigger-as is their vocabulary-but the League continues to provide a welcome outlet. In the past, I have been editor of League Lines while simultaneously doing the layout, held a position on the Nominating Committee, been VP of Publications and am currently both VP of Publicity and VP of Publications. Prior to my life in Mountain Lakes, I graduated with a degree in art and art history from Smith College in Northampton, MA. After college, I worked for many years as an art director for book publishers in New York City. Currently, I am a freelance children's book designer, designing novels and book jackets for several publishers. Not only is my work challenging and rewarding, but the flexible schedule allows me to volunteer in my kids' classrooms, read the occasional book, pull a few weeds, loose at mahjong and make it to the odd League Board meeting.
Antoinette Shanker, Voter Services
My husband Soma and I moved to Mountain Lakes from Rockaway in 2002 after having lived in Baltimore, MD and Bergenfield NJ. Our two children Anita (now 7) and Ryan (now 6) keep me busy and I enjoy the time I spend with them and being the chauffeur in the family. Initially, I was a little skeptical about becoming a stay at home mum, but the day goes by so fast that sometimes I wish there was more than 24 hours in a day. I earned a Bachelors in Medical Technology and a Masters in Public Administration and my last job was down the road at Saint Clare's Hospital, Denville as a Medical Technologist / Laboratory Information System Specialist in the Clinical Laboratory. In my free time I like to catch up with reading and friends from all over. I joined the League when I moved to town and participated in the Education Study and then became the Speaker Coordinator which I very much enjoyed doing. I am really glad that I joined this energetic and enthusiastic group. Besides the League, I volunteer with town club and Wildwood School.
Jenny Smith, League Lines Editor
My husband, Frank, and I came to Mountain Lakes in 2007, with our two daughters Bridget (10) and Lucie (7). Being completely unfamiliar with New Jersey, we are thrilled to have found this beautiful town. We spent the last ten years in a small town in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, which was a big change from our previous three years in New York City. I received my BA in American History from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. I began my non-profit career at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as Public Relations Coordinator, and continued along the same path at the American Federation of Arts in New York City. Those years of writing and editing press releases and art exhibition brochures were good practice for my current role as League Lines editor. Since having children, I have been a stay-at-home mom, but volunteering in the community has been a part of my life since childhood. From teaching poetry in a juvenile prison during my college years (yes, really) to being President of the Junior League of Berkshire County, I have always sought out an outlet for giving back. I am so pleased to be involved with the League and a group of community members who care deeply about making the world a better place, starting right here in Mountain Lakes.
Tara Strauss, President
My husband, Eric, and I moved to Mountain Lakes from New York City 6½ years ago. We have since grown our family with our two daughters, Gillian (5) and Abigail (3). I graduated from Washington University where I met my husband and received an MBA from New York University. After 10 years with General Electric in Consumer Finance marketing, I left my position to spend more time with my daughters and subsequently, became much more active in the League and at my daughters' pre-school. I first joined the League as Observer Corp coordinator where I learned about the happenings in both our Borough Council and Board of Education. Last year, I become more involved as VP of Membership and had the chance to get to know many of you better. This year, I am excited to again be working closely with such a great group of women as President and am looking forward to a great year!
Monica Truumees, Treasurer
My husband and I moved to Mountain Lakes in late June, 1993. It was not until I had my 2 children, Heili (now 10) and Markus (now 7) that I became more involved with the community. I was asked to attend the Kick-Off meeting in 2005, and was so delighted to discover this group of dedicated, interesting women that I joined the League right away! Being interested in learning more about the government of Mountain Lakes, I volunteered to participate in that year's study "Citizens in Government and Election Processes". It was a wonderful experience, not only did I learn so much about our government and Board of Education, I met an extraordinary group of women. Wanting to stay an active member of the League, I agreed to edit our publication League Lines. After 2 years of editing, I have moved into the position of Treasurer. When I am not busy with the kids and their activities, I truly enjoy walking in this beautiful town of lakes and parks.
Nicole Wright, Green Community Project
My family and I arrived in Mountain Lakes in late January, 2004 and the first social function that I attended in town was the February League Luncheon. I was delighted to discover this group of dedicated, interesting women and I joined the League right away! Since then, the League has provided me with some much needed intellectual relief from the day to day management and chauffeuring requirements of my three children Cody (18), Maddy (16) and Kyle (13). My husband, Tim, and I were both born in Canada and have lived in Toronto, Pittsburgh and, most recently, Paris. I studied Economics at Queen's University in Canada and worked in the packaged goods marketing industry in Toronto for 10 years prior to adopting the Ex-pat life. I enjoy traveling, reading and exploring our beautiful surroundings via kayak, bicycle, hiking and skiing.