BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Save Coastal Wildlife
Board of Directors
Jenna Reynolds
President/Executive Director
Founder
Jenna Reynolds is the first LGBTQ+ and trans-women in New Jersey to be leading an environmental nonprofit. Jenna chose in 2018 to take a pro-active approach at protecting wildlife along the Jersey Shore and together with several other people started Save Coastal Wildlife. She has a Master’s degree in environmental science from Bard College and is an award-winning environmental educator with over 25 years of experience in conducting research, education and community outreach programs on protecting biodiversity.
Joseph E. Sheridan - Vice President/Founder
Joe loves monitoring horseshoe crabs, seining, and installing osprey nests. He is the father of three great kids with his wife of 34 years, Robin. Joe grew up in Port Monmouth and graduated from Middletown High School North in 1985. He is a Navy Submarine Veteran of the first Gulf War, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from UMUC and an MBA from Seton Hall University. Joe currently chairs both the Keyport Historical Society and the Keyport Environmental Commission.
Charlene Kiley - Treasurer
Charlene's story reflects a deep connection with nature and a long-standing commitment to environmental conservation. Growing up in Keansburg, just blocks away from the bay, she spent much of her childhood exploring the local waterways during low tide. Whether it was around jetties or in creeks, Charlene developed a passion for discovering the creatures that called these areas home. Her love for the outdoors only grew during her high school and college years, where she dedicated countless hours training in the parks and beaches of Monmouth County.
Stephen Knott - Secretary
Science Advisor & Director of Eel In The Classroom
Stephen Knott is passionate about the local environment of the Jersey Shore and has returned to teach high school biology, inspiring students with his expertise in aquatic ecosystems and environmental conservation. With degrees in Art, Special Education, S.T.E.M. Education, and Fisheries Biology, he also works as a licensed captain and environmental educator, advocating for the conservation of the region’s natural resources.
Jennifer Adolfsen/Board member
Science Advisor & Special Events Director
Jen has a bachelors degree in animal science with a minor in science teacher education from Rutgers University and a masters in biology from Southern Connecticut State University. She is the mom of 2 awesome sons, has 15 years of teaching experience, and is currently working as a seasonal environmental educator for a local park system. Her passion is to inspire others to be stewards of the environment.
Ed Babka/Board member
Ed is a Chemical Engineer with a professional work history in the fields of Engineering and Environmental, Health and Safety. He enjoys the dynamic of Save Coastal Wildlife for education for the public and being a Citizen Scientist.
Nicolas Bernardo/Board member
Nick views our ocean, coastline, and marine life as treasures to be protected, which led to his commitment to the mission of Save Coastal Wildlife. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John's University he built a lifelong career in the media industry, now his focus is on local environmental conservation. Nick works as a seasonal naturalist at a local park, is training as a Rutgers Environmental Steward, and serves on the Shrewsbury Environmental Commission. His mission is to advocate, support, and help educate the next generation of environmental stewards.
Paul Rollinson/Board member
At an early age, Paul developed a passion for fishing and an appreciation for the outdoors and the natural world, especially along the coast. Once retired, Paul was seeking a local environmental group to get involved with, and soon discovered Save Coastal Wildlife. He joined us as a volunteer right in the middle of the COVID shutdown, and soon after signing up to get emails, joined a group of masked people picking up trash in a salt marsh along Sandy Hook Bay and never looked back.
Nadia Serghis/Board member
Exc. Director & Founder of the Plastic Wave Project
Growing up on the beaches of Highlands, NJ, Nadia spent her childhood immersed in and around the water -swimming, exploring, and surfing. As an adult, Nadia earned a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science & Policy from Monmouth University. Her deep connection to the ocean has inspired Nadia to want to share her love and passion with others. Nadia dedicates her life to spreading awareness on environmental issues, all with hopes of empowering others to be the change our planet needs.
STAFF
Sara Genke
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION & OUTREACH (part-time)
As Save Coastal Wildlife’s first (part-time) employee, Sara provides the organization with experience in environmental eduction, customer service, promotion and fundraising, and community outreach. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Stockton University. Sara grew up in New Jersey, visiting the ocean, woodlands, and mountains often.
THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP SAVE COASTAL WILDLIFE
The board comprises sustainability and conservation leaders with diverse backgrounds in education, government, research, volunteerism and advocacy. Board members are selected based on their active engagement in the critical work of Save Coastal Wildlife to:
1) educate the public about our biotic coastal environment along the Jersey Shore and to provide educational resources that promote stewardship and encourage a better appreciation of marine-estuarine biodiversity and ecosystems;
2) to conduct citizen-science research that will improve our understanding of the systems, patterns and interactions between coastal habitats and imperiled, but important species that help define local coastal ecosystems; and
3) to conduct community based habitat restoration projects with an aim to restore and improve particular coastal habitat that has been degraded over time from poor water quality, habitat fragmentation or erosion, and at which time creates unproductive conditions for a variety of coastal plants and animals to thrive.
Save Coastal Wildlife is a small, mostly volunteer organization. We rely upon volunteers as board members to manage the organization and conduct the organization’s activities. We exemplify the term “working board” for our leadership. Our board of directors are responsible for both the management and governance duties within the organization, including making sure activities are carried out efficiently towards the organization's priorities. Save Coastal Wildlife volunteer board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
