New Staffer Focuses on Attracting New Resources

 

The newest member of the Hackensack Riverkeeper team is Lisa Kelly of Hardwick, NJ, who is the organization’s first full-time director of development. Her experience includes more than 22 years' worth of goals-oriented marketing and communications work for both corporate clients and nonprofit organizations. Her hiring marks the conclusion of a search process that Hackensack Riverkeeper began late last year. "Lisa brings an important dimension to this organization," said Capt. Bill Sheehan, "Her expertise and talents will enable Hackensack Riverkeeper to both serve more people with our programs and reach the next level in our development as a successful environmental nonprofit." In recent years, Lisa provided grant writing, project management and graphic design work for the Ridge and Valley Charter School in Warren County; Genesis Farm, an ecological learning center in Blairstown; and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey. "I think she'll fit right in," added Capt. Bill.

Photo by Travis Dolan

While head of her own consulting firm, Kelly Dolan Associates, Lisa developed a cost-effective program for nonprofit organizations and secured $1.4 million in grants for the Ridge and Valley Charter School alone. "I have always wanted to devote my talents to supporting environmental education on a fulltime basis," said Lisa. "Joining the Hackensack Riverkeeper crew will allow me to do just that."

While noting that nonprofits in general are being challenged in this economic climate, Lisa is optimistic about taking on the role of fundraising for Hackensack Riverkeeper. “This organization is extremely effective, has a proven track record, and reaches more and more people everyday. The staff is terrific, and has a sharp focus on the work that needs to be done in the watershed,” Lisa explained. “I believe that this is exactly the type of effort that people want to support. They want to know that, when they support an organization with their money, time or energy, it will make a difference. Hackensack Riverkeeper, which depends on donations from individuals and organizations and on grants from foundations, makes a difference in this watershed and benefits everyone who lives here.”

With a full-time development director, Hackensack Riverkeeper will step up its efforts in soliciting grants, and will add events, projects and outreach campaigns to its already busy schedule specifically designed to raise funds. “While we’ve fared better than many nonprofits in this post-9/11 era, we recognize that times have changed and we need to step up our strategies for bringing resources into this organization, so we can continue and increase the good work that we are doing,” she said.

Lisa and her husband, Ken Dolan, have two children, ages 6 and 9, and they live with four dogs and four cats. Lisa enjoys hiking, boating, skiing, swimming, reading, writing and various crafts. She spends as much time as she can outdoors, learning about—and from—the natural world.