Watershed Staff

Jim has served as Executive Director of The Watershed Institute since April 2005. With more than thirty years of experience in the conservation field, he serves as a go-to resource for government officials and community leaders on how to best protect clean water and the environment throughout the region. Jim has led the Watershed through a period of strong program expansion and accomplishment. He spearheaded the broadening of the organization’s mission and change to its name and brand, as well as the creation of the Watershed Center for Environmental Advocacy Science & Education, a LEED-Platinum facility that has garnered a number of prominent awards for sustainability and innovation.

Prior to joining the Watershed, Jim was director of the refuges and wildlife program for The Wilderness Society in Washington D.C. For 10 years he represented the Society on issues relating to the National Wildlife Refuge System, Alaska public lands, endangered species, and other wildlife matters before Congress, federal agencies, the media and the public. He spent five years as a wildlife specialist at the National Audubon Society before joining The Wilderness Society.

Jim is also a member of the State Agriculture Development Committee, which oversees New Jersey’s farmland preservation program, and is a founding board member of ReThink Energy NJ, a non-profit organization that seeks a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.  Jim has a biology degree from Princeton University and a Master of Environmental Studies from the Yale School of the Environment.

Sophie Glovier is the Chief of Operations at The Watershed Institute where she is responsible for strategic planning and works with staff to develop and deliver programming that fulfills the organization’s mission.  Sophie previously worked in the Policy Department, partnering with elected officials and community members to develop and implement strong environmental protections at the local level. Prior to joining The Watershed Institute, Sophie was Director of Philanthropic Support at D&R Greenway Land Trust, where she led the fundraising campaign to preserve the 340-acre St. Michaels Preserve in Hopewell. Sophie is a former Chair of the Princeton Environmental Commission and is a team member of C-Change Conversations and the author of Walk the Trails in and Around Princeton. Before her work in the nonprofit sector, she had a career in advertising, rising to Senior Vice President, Account Director at Y&R Inc. 

Sophie is a graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Business School and received a Post Master’s Certificate in Sustainability Strategy from the New School.

Kevin joined The Watershed Institute staff in 2013. He serves as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. Kevin holds a B.A. from The College of New Jersey in Political Science with a minor in Business Management. Before joining the Watershed, Kevin earned 19 years of experience directing and developing community programs for the non-profit sector, most recently at the Princeton Family YMCA, serving as senior program director of operations.

Before his time at the YMCA, Kevin spent 14 years as the director of youth services at the Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County. Kevin lives in Yardville, NJ with his wife and three sons. He is on the board of the Sunnybrae Little League, and volunteers with the Hamilton Y Aquatic Club, and the Steinert H.S. Track & Field Booster Club.

Matt earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Stockton University in 2010 and later returned to Raritan Valley Community College where he earned a Certificate of CPA Education in 2021. He is happy to now be applying both his environmental background and financial skillset to an environmentally focused organization. In his free time, Matt enjoys music, hiking, and traveling to far-off destinations.

Mike Pisauro is a practicing attorney with over 25 years of experience. As the Advocacy Director for The Watershed Institute, Mike engages with state and local officials to improve and protect New Jersey’s watersheds. Along with helping state officials update New Jersey’s stormwater management rules, he wrote The Watershed Institute’s enhanced model stormwater ordinance. This effort helped guide municipalities in better protecting local communities from flooding and improve water quality. In past years, he has worked on a campaign to overturn the Christie administration’s weakening of the Flood Hazard Rules as well as efforts leading to the enactment of New Jersey’s Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Act. He appears regularly before zoning and planning boards to comment on development applications.

Prior to joining the Watershed, he ran his private practice concentrating on environmental work for citizen and environmental organizations. He was a lobbyist for the New Jersey Environmental Lobby for nine years. Mike has served on the Hopewell Valley Green Team and was an appointed board member for the New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Board.  Mike received his B.S. in Economics from James Madison University and a J.D. from the University of Richmond.

Susan Bristol joined The Watershed Institute in 2023 where she serves as the Municipal Policy Specialist.  Prior to that, she worked as a Professional Architect and Planner at her own practice, SPB Architecture LLC. Susan has worked at NJIT in Newark as an educator in the School of Architecture where she created the award-winning Garden State Studios. Susan is passionate about the environment, is an avid reader and loves being on or in the water. She has a B.S. Arch. and an M. Arch degree from the University of Virginia where, in addition to her Architecture major, she studied Landscape & Urban Design.  Susan is a NJ licensed Architect and Planner and a certified LEED AP in green design. When not at the Watershed, Susan can be found serving her municipality of Rocky Hill as councilwoman and volunteer. 

Lucia Middleton started at The Watershed Institute in 2022, where she works with both Spanish-speaking communities and municipalities on educating them about relevant local environmental issues, such as stormwater management and flooding. This includes presenting at community meetings and conferences, organizing advocacy trainings, and collaborating with local partners. Prior to The Watershed, Lucia did multiple internships in the Peruvian Amazon, Chilean Patagonia, and Maine doing data analysis, fieldwork, and site patrol in both English and Spanish. She earned a double major in Environmental Science and Latin American Studies from Colby College. Outside of The Watershed, Lucia enjoys playing for her local rugby team, reading, lifting weights, and travelling off the beaten path.  

Priscilla Oliveira, Pri, joined The Watershed Institute in 2019 as the Outreach Specialist and has since assumed the role of Outreach & Inclusion Manager. Some of Pri’s responsibilities include coordinating the Annual Watershed Conference as well as other webinars, workshops, and advocacy training. An active member of the staff JEDI council, she also works on integrating The Watershed Institute’s values of environmental justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in efforts and decision-making. Prior to The Watershed, Pri worked as an Environmental Specialist in FEMA’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Cadre. Pri earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behaviors in 2017, and a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management with a concentration on Natural Resources Management and a Master’s Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Denver in 2022. Pri is passionate about many things including nature and wildlife, maps, music, and gaming. She loves spending time with her friends and family consisting of her younger sister, younger brother, mom, dad, and her cat Zeus. When not at the Watershed, Pri can be found taking her non-verbal, low-functioning, brother out on local trips, volunteering to help others and the environment, or traveling around the world for more adventures. She also routinely visits family and friends in Brazil and Portugal. 

Kory has extensive experience in landscape management, stormwater expertise, conservation, and sustainability in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

She joined forces with The Watershed Institute in 2017 and promotes green infrastructure solutions to problems with polluted runoff and flooding. She works with the public to improve stormwater runoff management, instill a conservation ethos and follow green building practices. She has a passion for people, native plants, preservation, and ecology.

She attended the University of Maryland where she received her Master’s of Landscape Architecture. She received her undergraduate degree in history from DePaul University of Illinois.

After years with the Rain Underground in Baltimore and Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, she moved to Bucks County, PA, with her family. She designed landscapes for urban and suburban projects at Roof Meadow in Philadelphia. Earlier in her career, the Illinois native worked for the Department of Defense stationed at Great Lakes Navy Base where she investigated military personnel and government contractors.

Allison Jackson has been Stewardship Coordinator at The Watershed Institute since 2017. Prior to her current position, she worked as a Senior Naturalist in the Watershed’s Education Department. This senior position built on her earlier years as a Teacher/Naturalist and manager of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. She graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forest in 2005 with a B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology.  Allison helps restore and beautify the Watershed campus by applying appropriate care and land management practices to help sustain wildlife, flora and fauna. When not on the Watershed Reserve, Allison likes to remain active and can be found partaking in numerous activities such as escape rooms, enjoying live music and fairs, rock climbing, or practicing pole fitness. 

Matt Thompson joined the Watershed Institute in 2012 as the property manager. Prior to that he worked 5 ½ years at Longwood Gardens where he was a groundskeeper. He received his degree in General Agriculture from the University of Delaware.  Matt is a woodworker and loves to repurpose dead trees for wood to be used in furniture making, including the front desk at the Watershed Center and other amazing tables on site. Matt is always on the lookout for burls that he can make into decorative wood pieces. When he is not at the Watershed, he can be found in his woodshop at home. 

Dom Giglio joined The Watershed Institute in 2004, where he began as a volunteer providing ecological deer management. He retired from Toms River Board of Education where he was a bus mechanic. Dom enjoys the outdoors and is a hunting enthusiast. His favorite animals on the reserve are deer and turkey, but he also has a soft spot for our native eastern box turtles. Dom can be found early in the morning taking scenic pictures of the landscape and walking through the woods. 

Pete Smith joined the Watershed Institute in 2022 as a member of the conservation department. He retired after many years of being self-employed as a heavy equipment operator. Pete is no stranger to the property as he has been a volunteer hunter on the property since the 1990’s. His favorite part about the job is spending time outdoors watching our local wildlife. When not at the Reserve Pete can be found fishing or attending auctions.

Jenny-Ann Kershner has been The Watershed Institute’s development director since 2015. She has extensive experience in fundraising, grant-making, and non-profit leadership. Prior to joining the Watershed, Jenny was the Development Director for the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, building relationships with alumni, foundations, and corporations to advance the school’s mission.

Prior to her time at Rutgers, Jenny spent seven years at the Fund for New Jersey as a program officer and grants manager, where she managed a portfolio of $2.5 million with more than 60 grantees in multiple public policy arenas, including environmental protection, social justice, affordable housing and educational equity. Jenny also served as the Fund’s interim executive director for one year. Jenny also had impressive stints as development director at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center and Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center. She received a master’s degree in urban planning and her bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University and is a graduate of Leadership New Jersey.

Sarah Crofts joined The Watershed Institute in 2019 and she manages communications and mailings to donors. She is passionate about engaging with donors and keeping their records accurate in our database. She also serves on the staff JEDI Council. Prior to working at the Watershed, she focused on communications, marketing and admissions at two Quaker schools in Bucks County, PA. Earlier in her career, she was a middle school science teacher and environmental educator and was first introduced to the Watershed when she brought a group of Sixth graders for a program at Wargo Pond. Sarah holds degrees in Biology and Education.  When not at the Watershed, Sarah can be found singing with the Anna Crusis Feminist Choir and taking bike rides along the Delaware canal.    

Gilda Suncar joined The Watershed Institute in 2023 where she coordinates in-house events and property rentals.  She’s passionate about creating more than an event, but rather a great experience with high attention to detail. Prior to that, she worked in New York and Philadelphia Fashion Industry as a Senior Technical Designer for high-end fashion companies. Creating beautiful and unique works of art has always been her passion. She loves being able to bring to life her ideas and client’s requests. In 2020 she started her own events design and planning company where she helped her clients create memorable affairs.  As a creative outlet, she also founded her handmade event décor and gift design company which allows her to design and create unique and personalized items for her clients in the USA as well as clients in the UK, Australia, Germany, and other countries. When not at the Watershed, Gilda can be found in her design studio creating new one-of-a-kind pieces, cooking, shopping, down the shore with her husband and two sons or in the pool enjoying the outdoors. 

Eve Niedergang joined the Watershed Institute in 2016 after a career in educational testing and many years of volunteer activity and coordination in the Princeton Public Schools and with the Princeton Public Library. She loves helping volunteers connect to Watershed opportunities and develop their passion for the environment in new ways.  Eve grew up in NYC surrounded by skyscrapers but luckily near the trees of Riverside Park. She earned her BA from Cornell University and her MA in History from Princeton University. Since 2019, Eve has also been a member of the Princeton Council, where she serves as liaison to the Environmental Commission and Open Spaces Consortium. Eve has two adult children and has been married for 35 years (as of May 2023) to her husband, Andy (who volunteers with the Watershed StreamWatch program). In her very spare free time, she loves walking and hiking in the woods, playing with her dog, reading, cooking and worrying about the state of the world.

Alan Polk began at The Watershed Institute as a volunteer and several years later in 2018 became a part-time Development Assistant processing donations as well as integrating and extending the software applications used by the Development group. Prior to joining The Watershed Institute, Alan was an architect and developer at multiple software companies in New York and New Jersey. Alan is a graduate of Cornell University with a BA in Economics. He is an avid book reader and movie sponge and works out to thwart couch potato-dom.

Seth Siditsky joined the communications team at the Watershed in 2021. He is an award-winning photographer, videographer and media strategist with nearly two decades of experience in storytelling. He is a trained naturalist and loves communicating about the natural world, including the ways that we are all connected to water and the environment. Previously, Seth was the Director of Multimedia for Advance Local, the parent company of The Star-Ledger and Times of Trenton. Before working nationally, he was the Managing Editor for Visuals at The Star-Ledger, where he created the video department and led the newsroom to its first fourteen NY Emmy Awards.  Seth holds a masters degree from Syracuse University in communications photography and a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University in history. He is a longtime volunteer and current board member at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Bucks County. When he’s not exploring the woods in Mercer County with his family, Seth enjoys gardening and cooking.

Donna Gregory joined the Watershed Institute in 2023 as a member of the Communication team where she is responsible for writing and producing print and electronic publications as well as media releases, website content, and social media posts. Donna brings an extensive background in water-related communication to her work. One of Donna’s notable previous positions was serving as the Director of Corporate Communication for Elizabethtown Water Company, which is now a part of the American Water system. Additionally, Donna worked as a Communication Specialist for Mott MacDonald, where she provided consulting services to clients on public participation requirements related to combined sewer systems permits. Donna shares her knowledge and passion for communication by teaching classes at Raritan Valley Community College and Northampton Community College. She also teaches executive and continuing education seminars through the Rutgers Business School in Camden. Donna’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Rutgers College, Rutgers University, as well as a Master’s degree in Communication and Information Studies from the Rutgers School of Communication. Donna has a deep love for her family and music. During her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her young adult children, tending to her garden, indulging in reading, attending concerts, relearning French and relaxing at the beach.

Jeff joined the Watershed Institute in 1984, beginning his tenure here at the Watershed Nature Camp. He provides vision and direction to the Watershed Environmental Education program, working with a talented team of educators to promote a deeper understanding of science and our environment through direct engagement.  Much of his work is flavored with a deep love of the natural world. Prior to this Jeff worked at the Nature Center at Washington Crossing State Park and the Point Reyes Bird Observatory in California. Jeff earned a BS in Natural Resource Management – Wildlife Science from Cook College, Rutgers University. Jeff has earned numerous distinctions for environmental leadership including the Patricia F. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award for Environmental Education for the Alliance for Environmental Education, the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award from the Garden Club of America, and the National Medal of Conservation from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Jeff has had a lifelong love affair with nature and has a special fondess for aquatic habitats, the noctural world, National Parks, and sharing the joy of nature. He is an internationally published haiku poet. His first book, scent of juniper was published 2023. 

Pat Heaney joined The Watershed Institute in 2017 where she is known for developing creative environmental education programs for large groups. Before coming to the Watershed,she spent  over 30 years at Kateri Environmental Center where she ran many programs for children with special needs. Pat is a proud Girl Scout and recently was lauded for 30 years of volunteering with the Girls and training Girl Scout leaders. Pat was the President of the Alliance for NJ Environmental Education ( ANJEE) and still serves as chair of the awards committee. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Ramapo College and a  Masters in Geography from Rutgers. She enjoys writing and is currently working on her third novel. 

Vicky Allen joined the Watershed Institute in 2014 as a part time educator. Before joining the Education Dept at the Watershed, she spent 20 years with Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ where she created and directed outdoor program at the 4 council properties. She oversaw the 3 summer day camps and was the director at the resident summer camp program. Vicky has maintained membership in ANJEE throughout her Girl Scout and Watershed careers. Vicky graduated from VPISU with a BS in Psychology. Vicky is passionate about gardening and teaching about the environment; she loves trees and their stories. When not at the Watershed, Vicky can be found hiking, geocaching and creating bird house gourds or fairy houses.  

Anna Hill joined The Watershed Institute in 2021.  Prior to that, she worked at NJ Audubon’s Plainsboro Preserve as the Lead Teacher Naturalist where she taught and developed lessons for Summer camp and other various programs. She also worked for a brief but formative time at The Waldorf School of Princeton as a Subject teacher bringing Orienteering, Bird Box Monitoring, and her love of Geology and Nature to the WSP community.  Anna is passionate about birding and loves to share the joy of nature with as many people as possible from all backgrounds in her role at The Watershed. Anna earned her B.A. in Biology from Rutgers New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences and enjoys going to Rutgers sporting events regularly with her family. When not at the Watershed, she can be found spending time with her family, including her two young children and two dogs, swimming and exploring new hiking trails with binoculars in hand. 

Ayanna Johnson joined The Watershed Institute in 2023 as the Urban Education Manager. In her role, Ayanna spearheads the organization’s educational programming for schools and community groups in the Greater Trenton area, with a strong focus on expanding access to Watershed programs and promoting equity and inclusion. Ayanna’s early experiences with The Watershed Institute during her childhood left a profound impact on her, igniting her passion for the environment.  As a Girl Scout, she achieved the prestigious Gold Award and served as a camp counselor at Ewing Rec Camp, further deepening her connection to nature and community engagement. Ayanna pursued her academic journey at Rowan University in Glassboro, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. She also excelled on the Women’s Basketball Team, breaking two records, earning the title of Defensive Player of the Year and serving as team captain for two years. During her time at Rowan, Ayanna served as the president of the school’s chapter of the sorority Sigma Gamma Rho Inc., where she further realized her commitment to both environmentalism and social and environmental justice. One of her sorority’s initiatives is a program offering swim lessons to children in black and brown communities recognizing a disproportionate percentage of drownings in those demographics.  In her free time, Ayanna enjoys performing spoken word poetry and all forms of poetry. She loves live music, laughter, and learning about the world around her.

Alison Novobilsky joined The Watershed Institute in 2013, as a part-time Watershed Educator. She teaches summer preschool programs, helps with family programs and school class trips. She helps maintain the Butterfly House and courtyard Caterpillar Hotels with some summer friends caterpillars and butterflies. Alison coordinates the Summer and Winter Fairy Festivals to help welcome families with young children to the Watershed. She also teaches at Cherry Hill Nursery School in Princeton during the school year. Alison worked at the Princeton Family YMCA as a Group Exercise Instructor for 20 years. Alison is passionate about the beauty of creation and loves empowering children with the responsibility of caring for nature.  Alison earned a B.S. degree in Animal Science at Rutgers University. When not at the Watershed, Alison is hard to find because she is hiking, swimming, kayaking, gardening, reading, painting, and playing with her ponies.  

Allison Willick, also known as Al, joined The Watershed Institute in 2023, where she monitors the health, husbandry, enrichment, and behavior of the educational animals that reside in The Discovery Center. She also manages a small team of volunteers who are involved with the animal’s daily care. Prior to that, she worked as a Personal Nanny and at The Lawrenceville School’s Big Red Farm where she developed a love for educating children/students about the natural world around them.  Al is passionate about mental health awareness and loves how our relationship with animals, whether wild or domestic, can create a sense of calm, wonder, and better relationship with the Earth. When not at the Watershed, Al can be found sitting in her garden with a crochet project and her dog, Misty. 

Davis joined The Watershed Institute in 2023, where he is one of the education interns for the year.  Prior to that, he studied marine science and sustainability studies at Stony Brook University, where he developed his love for the environment both on land and in the sea. Davis is passionate about empowering young people to fight for social changes they want to see and helping them get the tools and knowledge they need to do so. When not at the Watershed, Davis can be found hiking, reading, writing, coloring, and researching different kinds of sharks. 

Julia Kizar joined The Watershed Institute in 2023 as an Education Intern, and she is thrilled to be a part of the team! Also in 2023, she graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English and additional studies in Turkish and Creative Writing. Julia is passionate about creativity and forming caring connections between beings, and she loves learning and trying new things. When not at the Watershed, Julia can be found spending time with her loved ones, reading, singing, dancing, coloring, or enjoying the outdoors. 

Steve joined The Watershed Institute staff in 2016, bringing with him an impressive background of lab and field research, data analysis, and reporting of environmental and ecological research. His mix of experiences in academia and the private sector include time working as senior R&D scientist at Terra Cycle. He received his PhD from Rutgers University in 2008 in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and has conducted research in a variety of ecosystems, including open-ocean, estuary, riverine, groundwater and permafrost.

Erin Stretz leads the New Jersey Watershed Watch Network, a cooperative program of The Watershed Institute and NJ Department of Environmental Protection which serves to bridge the gap between regulatory agencies and dozens of community water monitoring programs throughout NJ. She has specialized in NJ water quality for 14 years, beginning in 2007 as an Americorps NJ Watershed Ambassador for the Crosswicks Creek watershed. Erin joined The Watershed Institute in 2011 to coordinate the StreamWatch volunteer water monitoring program and continued as the Assistant Director of Science in 2016, training thousands of volunteers along the way. She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental geography from James Madison University and later this year, will receive a master’s degree in water resources from the Oregon State University Environmental Sciences program. Erin is on the board of trustees for Bingo’s Foundation, the no-kill cat shelter in Bucks County where you can find her and her partner, Adam, doling out food and snuggles most Friday evenings. 

Olivia works with residents, schools, businesses, and golf courses to increase their environmental literacy, promote behavior change, and create in-the-ground projects to protect water quality and restore wildlife habitat. Olivia administers this certification program throughout north and central NJ in partnership with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Raritan Headwaters Association. Additionally, Olivia helps out with a variety of Science Department projects like green infrastructure design, install, and maintenance, plus organizing annual events like stream cleanups or community days.  

Prior to joining the Watershed, Olivia gained robust experience dealing with water quality issues through a science, education, or outreach lens from her time at the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring. In addition, Olivia worked as a stewardship intern at The Watershed and spent many hours on the reserve removing invasive species as well learning about green infrastructure maintenance while taking care of the rain gardens and green roof. Olivia graduated from Dickinson College with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and minor in Chinese language. 

In her free time, you will find her playing violin in the Hunterdon Symphony, reading, or wandering around in nature.  

Michael works on dam removal on the Millstone River to restore the habitat of migratory fish like the American shad, a native species whose eastern populations are threatened. At the intersection of science and policy, his work involves both ecological research and collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Geological Survey. Michael also assists the Watershed’s Streamwatch program, measuring and recording water quality data from around Central Jersey.

Prior to joining the Watershed, Michael studied at Princeton University, where he graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology. An aspiring marine biologist, Michael wrote his senior thesis about the effects of glacial melt on Alaskan coastal ecosystems. In his free time, you might find him breakdancing with his Princeton crew, dabbling in nature photography, or playing board games with friends.