NJSWEP's Steering Committee

The success of NJSWEP can be attributed to the members who have volunteered their time in various leadership positions. Our current Steering Committee members are recognized below. If you can contribute your time, thoughtfulness, and leadership for approximately 3-4 hours per month and are interested in joining the Steering Committee, please contact us.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kate Suell, Chapter Co-Chair

Catalent Pharma Solutions

P. (862) 217-3715 / info@njswep.org

Kate Suell is a corporate and environmental attorney with a robust background in helping clients navigate environmental liabilities in highly regulated industries. She has experience working with clients in the pharmaceutical, real estate, cosmetics, asphalt and cement production, commercial chemical manufacturing, glass manufacturing and petroleum distribution industries. Kate supports Catalent’s Biologics division where she is responsible for providing strategic commercial contracting support as well as advice to senior management on complex deal negotiations and corporate legal risk mitigation. Prior to joining Catalent, Kate practiced environmental law at private firms for 12 years. Kate currently serves as a New Jersey Supreme Court-appointee to both the Board on Continuing Legal Education and the District XB Ethics Committee and is co-director of New Jersey Women Lawyer’s Association’s Grants Committee. Kate is an avid reader; she loves museums and yoga and enjoys the benefits of her memberships to the Great Swamp Watershed Association and the New Jersey Audubon Society. 

Melanie Powers-Schanbacher, Chapter Co-Chair

Specialty Technical Consultants, Inc. - President

P. (908) 707-4001 / info@njswep.org

Melanie Powers-Schanbacher, is a CPEA and President of Specialty Technical Consultants, Inc., a WBENC-certified woman-owned environmental, health and safety consulting firm. Melanie has supported clients in a variety of industrial sectors to develop and implement various elements of their EHS compliance management programs such as EHS training, regulatory and legal requirements analysis and update monitoring processes, permit compliance and regulatory reporting procedures and work instructions, and internal compliance assessment and corrective action program. As STC’s President and Chief Financial Officer, Melanie oversees the day-to-day operations of STC’s consulting and regulatory information services and is responsible for establishing and monitoring company financial performance metrics as well as the company’s service line marketing and business development initiatives. She is a Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA) in Environmental Compliance and in Environmental, Health and Safety Management Systems, and an RAB-trained ISO EMS Lead Auditor. Melanie lives in Bridgewater where she and her husband are active members of the Dawn Patrol Motorcycle Club.

Alexa Richman-LaLonde, Membership Committee Co-Chair & SRAG Liaison

Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland Peretti, LLP - Partner

P. (973) 451-8495 / membership@njswep.org

Alexa Richman-La Londe is a partner in Riker Danzig’s Environmental Group. Ms. Richman-La Londe has developed extensive experience in complex regulatory and transactional matters as well as environmental litigation. She handles various types of litigation, including CERCLA and Spill Act matters. She also counsels clients on significant regulatory issues, including ISRA, site remediation, environmental permitting and compliance.

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers has included Ms. Richman-La Londe in its Client’s Guide since 2013 for Environmental Law. The Guide notes that she is “experienced in negotiating legacy liability in regard to Superfund sites, assisting clients in site remediation and advising on regulatory compliance.” She is also called a “great” lawyer noted for her litigation strengths, with particular praise for her responsiveness and ability to deal with difficult complications that arise during complex cases. Previous editions describe her as “very diligent, conscientious and knowledgeable,” as well as “very capable and polished.” Best Lawyers in America®, a peer review of U.S. lawyers, has included Ms. Richman-La Londe on its Best Lawyers list in the field of Environmental Law for 2018, 2020 and 2021. In addition to her law degree, Ms. Richman-La Londe earned a master’s degree in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. While pursuing her J.D., she served as Note Editor of the Vermont Law Review. Ms. Richman-La Londe has lectured and published articles on an array of environmental issues and on insurance coverage matters.

Lily Connell, Membership Committee Co-Chair

Ramboll US Corporation - Managing Consultant
P. (609) 243-9853 / membership@njswep.org

Lily Connell is a Managing Consultant at Ramboll, with experience in environmental science and hydrogeology, with particular emphasis on industrial site characterization, litigation support, and due diligence. Prior to re-joining Ramboll in 2021, Lily spent three years at Terraphase Engineering Inc. (Terraphase) and seven years at Ramboll (f/k/a ENVIRON International Corporation). Lily received her Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental science from Franklin and Marshall College and her Master of Science degree in applied geosciences from the University of Pennsylvania. Lily also serves on the development team for the Junior League of Greater Princeton, a volunteer organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community. She lives in the Princeton area with her husband and two children.

Jennifer Light, Co-Treasurer

TRC Companies, Inc. - Environmental Scientist

P. (509) 379-9873 / info@njswep.org

Jennifer Light is a geologist/environmental scientist at TRC Companies, Inc. with a focus on geotechnical investigations, environmental investigations, and due diligence. Her project work has included the preparation of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Preliminary Assessment Reports, as well as the completion of soil and groundwater sampling, laboratory testing, data management, and associated report finalization. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of Idaho, and her Masters of Science in Paleoclimatology and Sedimentology from Montclair State University. In addition to her work with NJSWEP, Jenny is also a member of the BCONE Marketing Committee. In her free time, Jenny enjoys live music, traveling to different countries, and spending time with family and friends.  

Taryn Correll, Co-Treasurer

Ramboll - Managing Consultant

P. (215) 817-7185 / info@njswep.org

Melissa Dulinski, Secretary

New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), 

Brownfields and Sustainable Systems – Team Lead

P. (973) 525-9617 / info@njswep.org

Melissa Dulinski is a Team Lead at NJEDA where she supports the authority's brownfield and environmental initiatives to create a stronger, fairer New Jersey. Her work focuses on strengthening NJ's economy by taking an innovative approach to community revitalization, climate resilience, and environmental justice. Additionally, Melissa represents NJEDA on the state-wide Interagency Council for Climate Resilience, working on action plans that will promote the long-term mitigation, adaptation, and resilience of New Jersey’s economy, infrastructure, and natural resources. Prior to joining NJEDA, Melissa was a Project Manager at NJIT where she provided one-on-one technical assistance to communities helping guide them through the regulatory process towards redevelopment and a Remediation Specialist at PSE&G where she provided technical oversight and quality assurance at former Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites throughout New Jersey. She received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Rutgers University in Environmental Science. In addition to SWEP, Melissa is also a member of ANJEC, BCONE, and her township's Environmental Commission and Open Space Advisory Committee.  

Lyssa Naron, Co-Secretary 

SLR International Corporation - Senior Scientist

P. (609) 216-0115 / info@njswep.org

Lyssa C. Naron is a Senior Scientist at SLR Consulting with more than a decade of experience in the environmental consulting industry. Lyssa provides expertise for projects concerning multiple phases of environmental investigation and remediation at public and private sites in NJ, PA, NY, and beyond. Her projects have included soil and groundwater investigations, remedial investigations, remedial action implementations, Phase I/II environmental site assessments, fate and transport modeling, remedial action and air permitting, and coordination of ESG advisory services. Her clients have included residential homes and small, independent commercial operations to state departments, refineries, and transnational corporations. She has experience mitigating and/or remediating discharges of various environmental contaminants, including but not limited to, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, PCBs, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants such as 1,4-Dioxane and perfluorinated compounds. Lyssa graduated Cum Laude with Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Mary Washington and holds a Master of Science degree in Soil Science from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. 

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Shannon Hill is a Project Scientist at Weston Solutions with over a decade of environmental consulting experience. Prior to Weston, she started her career with AECOM as an environmental scientist and project manager. At Weston, Shannon specializes in resource management and coordination for Engineering, Science, and Technology (ES&T) programs and emergency responses. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement innovative strategies that optimize resource use, enhance project efficiency, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Shannon received her undergraduate degrees from Rowan University and her Master of Environmental Science from Oklahoma University. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is a published children’s book author, sharing stories inspired by her pets. She also operates a flourishing tree and perennial nursery on her property in South Jersey, further demonstrating her commitment to environmental conservation and community engagement.

Programs Committee Co-Chair (Open)

KariAnne Czajkowski, Gala Committee Co-Chair

Roux - Principal Scientist

P. (856) 832-3804 / gala@njswep.org

KariAnne (Kari) Czajkowski has over 20 years of environmental project expertise, leading and managing complex ecological and sediment environmental investigations and remediation designs teams and projects. Kari's work spans various state and national environmental regulatory programs, including California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, USEPA Regions 2, 3 and 9, and the Governments of Bermuda and Canada. She has extensive experience with design, implementation, review and preparation of screening level and ecological risk assessments and sediment remedial investigations as well as expertise in development, design and negotiation of ecological risk-based remediation cleanup strategies under state and federal programs. Kari is an active participant on the NJDEP Ecological Risk Assessment Stakeholder Workgroup and co-author and trainer of the NJDEP Ecological Evaluation Technical Guidance and an active member of the Sediment Management Workgroup. In her spare time, Kari enjoys high-intensity functional fitness training and exploring the great outdoors. 

Nadira Najib, Gala Committee Co-Chair

Honeywell Corp. - Remediation Manager

P. (973) 216-5209 / programs@njswep.org

Nadira Najib is a remediation manager within Honeywell.  She specializes in the environmental remediation, brownfield redevelopment, due diligence, and environmental compliance fields. She is a remediation manager at Honeywell where she manages high profile environmental remediation program in the EMEA and Latin America regions. Nadira Najib holds a B.S in Chemical Engineering from her home country Morocco and she has a M.E and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. In her “free” time, Nadira enjoys reading, doing cross fit, and spending time with her family cooking, gardening, hiking, and traveling to explore new places.

Anita Locke, Golf Event Co-Chair, Sponsorship Co-Chair & LSRPA Liaison

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc – Senior Scientist

P. (609) 362-9240 / info@njswep.org

Anita Locke is a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) and Senior Scientist at Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. in Pennington, NJ. Anita has over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting including managing a wide range of environmental investigations, assessments and remediation in New Jersey. She has performed, managed and directed varied projects for private, commercial and governmental clients including those in the industrial manufacturing, warehousing, chemical and petroleum sectors. She has assisted clients and interacted with regulatory agencies throughout all stages of investigation and remediation. She has conducted environmental due diligence for property transactions for buyers and sellers of commercial and industrial facilities. She serves as LSRP for commercial and industrial manufacturing facilities, with a particular focus on NJ Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) sites.

In addition to NJ SWEP, Anita also serves as Chair of the LSRPA Finance Committee. Anita received her Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Delaware and lives in Bordentown City with her husband and son.  In her spare time, Anita enjoys traveling, live music and learning to play golf. 

Stephanie Turkot, Golf Event Co-Chair 

GZA – Project Manager

P. (973) 774-3327 / info@njswep.org

Stephanie Turkot is a Project Manager at GZA. Prior to GZA, she completed her internship at the NJDEP and worked for an international remediation company. She has more than eight years of experience with remediation project designs and field-scale implementations. Her projects have included Superfund and brownfield sites throughout the United States, and she has in-depth knowledge of chemical and bioremediation products.  She received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Science from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Ms. Turkot is a member and involved with several non-profit organizations including the New Jersey Society of Women Environmental Professionals, Midwest Energy Association, WLI's Women's Leadership Initiative and Kiwanis Club. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Emily Bausher, Scholarship Co-Chair

Terraphase - Project Geologist

P. (609) 236-8171 / scholarship@njswep.org

Emily is a Project Geologist at Terraphase Engineering Inc. (Terraphase) with a particular focus in site characterization and due diligence in New Jersey. Before joining Terraphase three years ago, Emily spent three years at the Thrasher Group in West Virginia performing Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) and subsurface investigations of soil and groundwater. Emily received her B.S. in Earth and Environmental Science from Lehigh University where she played softball, and her M.S. in Geology from West Virginia University. Emily and her fiancé have settled in the Princeton area and enjoy spending time outside with friends and family.

Noelle Farook, Sponsorship Co-Chair

Matrix New World - Project Manager

P. (732) 588-2999 / sponsorship@njswep.org

Noelle Farook is an Environmental Project Manager at Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix) with a focus on site remediation, regulatory reporting, and site management in New Jersey. Before joining Matrix, she spent over seven years between Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and PARS environmental (a Montrose Environmental Group Company), where she worked on a multitude of remediation projects in New Jersey and New York. Noelle received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to SWEP, she is also a member of the LSRPA Aspiring Professionals Committee. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, trail running, cooking, and camping with her two dogs.

Katelynn Shields, News & Social Media Chair

Integral, Senior Scientist

P. (856) 399-7720 / news@njswep.org

LIAISONS

Melissa Clarke, Gala-Scholarship Committee Liaison

Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP - Attorney

P. (609) 452-3142 / info@njswep.org

Melissa Clarke concentrates her practice in the areas of environmental law and real estate transactions, with a particular focus on environmental litigation, penalty and enforcement matters, and cost recovery actions involving federal and state statutes and regulations such as CERCLA (Superfund), RCRA and New Jersey’s Spill Act.

In addition to counseling clients on regulatory compliance, Melissa assists clients in obtaining and defending state and federal environmental permits.  As a transactional attorney, Melissa has negotiated and drafted environmental contractual provisions in a wide variety of corporate and real property transactions. Melissa also represents title insurance underwriters, insureds and title insurance agencies in commercial and residential title related disputes and foreclosure actions.

Abigail Amutah, NJDEP Liaison

NJ Department of Environmental Projection, Administrative Analyst 3

Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning, Climate and Flood Resilience

P. (609) 322-9747 / info@njswep.org

Abigail Amutah is an Administrative Analyst with NJDEP managing federal and state grants contracts for Land Use Management. She has been with NJDEP for over 30 years working in several divisions within NJDEP. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science at Rider University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). In addition to NJSWEP, Abby is also an executive member of the Black Environmental Solidarity Team (BEST), an interest group within DEP that promotes Diversity. 

Sonya Ward, SRAG Liaison

Tetra Tech, Inc. - LSRP, PG, CPG, CGWP, LRS, CHMM

P. (908) 691-9284 / gala@njswep.org

Sonya Ward, PG, LSRP, CHMM, LRS, CGWP is the Operations Manager & Principal Hydrogeologist at Tetra Tech, Inc. in Whitehouse Station. She received a Bachelor of Science in Geology with a chemistry minor from University of Louisiana (Monroe) and a Master of Science in Environmental Science (hydrogeology) from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sonya has over 30 years’ experience assisting clients in environmental compliance, due diligence, site investigation and remediation, and risk-based closure. Her project experience includes work for utilities, the manufacturing, chemical, and petroleum sectors, and local and state agencies throughout the US, Canada, South America, and Europe. In addition to NJ SWEP, Sonya is also Chair of the National Chapter of SWEP and a member of SWEP of Greater Philadelphia, CIANJ, LSRPA, AEG NY-Philadelphia, and AHMP-NJ. Sonya spends time away from work traveling, indulging her love of photography, volunteering for Bucks County Habitat for Humanity and coaching future home owners, and enjoying time with family and friends.