Annual DG visit and discussing the new Rotary Year.

Please join us in learning more about the status of our river, as well as the current initiatives and vision for the future! We will also be discussing the Source to Sea Cleanup Project.

Nina joined CRC’s staff in December 2023 after assisting with CRC’s water quality monitoring program during the summer of 2023. She moved to the Connecticut River Valley from northern California where she spent the past decade working across the water industry including regulatory and monitoring work for the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, teaching a high school field course on natural and human-made water systems, and designing and installing professional greywater reuse projects. Before leaving CA, Nina walked 240 miles along the Mokelumne River to trace where her drinking water came from and feels passionate about connecting humans to their water sources. 

She holds an M.Sc. in Wastewater Reuse from Ben Gurion University, completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Israel and Palestine researching the fate of endocrine disrupting compounds in Palestinian wastewater treatment, and earned her B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a minor in Marketing from the University of Southern California. In her free time, you’ll find her dipping in local rivers (all year round!) and hiking with her dog Petey.  

ngordonkirsch@ctriver.org

413-772-2020 ext. 216

[From the Springfield Public Schools Website]

Joesiah Gonzalez serves as a principled leader, dedicated to transformation in education, human services, and government.

Mr. Gonzalez was born and raised in the City of Springfield and is a proud graduate of Springfield Public Schools. He received a Master of Business Administration from Fitchburg State University, carrying a burning passion to see transformation in the city and region.

[Quote from BusinessWest]

In his current role, he handles fundraising and communications strategies for Home City, with a primary focus, on the philanthropy side, of raising funds to support resident-service programs that assist the more than 400 families housed in Home City’s multiple affordable-housing sites, work he finds very rewarding.

“Being at the table and also at the helm of certain initiatives, especially around resident engagement, allows me to drive impact in a way that’s meaningful, especially being from the city and living in the city,” Gonzalez said, adding that he gets involved at a truly grass-roots level. “There are a lot of folks doing a lot of social-impact programs, but if we don’t check the pulse on what’s happening in our community and our neighborhoods, there can sometimes be a disconnect between well-intended efforts and true impact.”

Karen Blanchard is the Executive Director of the Michael J. Dias Foundation, where she has led the organization for nearly four years with a focus on supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. With over 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Karen has secured millions in grant funding, overseen strategic initiatives, and developed impactful programs addressing recovery, housing, and food insecurity.

A graduate of Springfield College with a Master’s in Human Services Administration, Karen is deeply committed to creating sustainable solutions for community challenges. She is an active member of several professional organizations and is passionate about fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change.

Peter J. Farkas is the President and CEO of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, where he provides strategic leadership and direction in workforce development initiatives aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and economic growth within the Hampden County region of Massachusetts.

With over 18 years of experience in workforce development, Peter J. Farkas has a wealth of expertise to developing and overseeing the implementation of innovative workforce programs and initiatives across Massachusetts. Prior to joining the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Peter led employer driven workforce development initiatives at two Greater Boston Workforce Development Boards and most recently at Berkshire Community College.

Under his leadership, Peter has spearheaded successful collaborations with industry partners, educational institutions, and government agencies to address the evolving needs of the workforce. He has successfully implemented grants and funding from the U.S Department of Labor, US Economic Development Administration, Commonwealth Corporation, Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and the Massachusetts Office of Higher Education.

Peter holds a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Business Administer from Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School.