Greater New Haven Board of Directors
Lynne Bonnett, President ('09)
Lynne has been an environmental advocate in New Haven since 2000. She recently lead citizen science projects to measure mercury emissions from the sewage sludge incinerator in East Shore as well as to measure mercury levels in fish caught from the shoreline in New Haven CT. She loves being outside in nature and enjoys sport activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking and skiing. She has always loved music and supports local music organizations in addition to having been principal cellist in the Hamden Symphony Orchestra from 2015 to 2019. She stays engaged in local community efforts to support an equitable, just, and sustainable community. She has been president of the Greater New Haven Green Fund since October 2015. She lead the New Haven Environmental Justice Network from 2004-2006 at the time that the constituent municipalities of the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority agreed to set aside one million dollars for an endowment to support environmental and public health initiatives in our region. The Greater New Haven Green Fund is that endowment.
Lynne has been an environmental advocate in New Haven since 2000. She recently lead citizen science projects to measure mercury emissions from the sewage sludge incinerator in East Shore as well as to measure mercury levels in fish caught from the shoreline in New Haven CT. She loves being outside in nature and enjoys sport activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking and skiing. She has always loved music and supports local music organizations in addition to having been principal cellist in the Hamden Symphony Orchestra from 2015 to 2019. She stays engaged in local community efforts to support an equitable, just, and sustainable community. She has been president of the Greater New Haven Green Fund since October 2015. She lead the New Haven Environmental Justice Network from 2004-2006 at the time that the constituent municipalities of the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority agreed to set aside one million dollars for an endowment to support environmental and public health initiatives in our region. The Greater New Haven Green Fund is that endowment.
Martha Smith, '11 Vice President, '19
Martha has more than 30 years professional experience in the water and environmental field: Professionally she’s worked as an environmental consultant, performing hydrogeologic investigations at industrial and Superfund sites across the country. She also served as the Director of the former Yale Center for Coastal and Watershed Systems. A resident of New Haven since 1999, she’s worked with watershed groups for New Haven’s three rivers: the Quinnipiac, West and Mill Rivers. Currently she works as the Policy Coordinator at Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, bicycling, and home projects.
Martha has more than 30 years professional experience in the water and environmental field: Professionally she’s worked as an environmental consultant, performing hydrogeologic investigations at industrial and Superfund sites across the country. She also served as the Director of the former Yale Center for Coastal and Watershed Systems. A resident of New Haven since 1999, she’s worked with watershed groups for New Haven’s three rivers: the Quinnipiac, West and Mill Rivers. Currently she works as the Policy Coordinator at Rivers Alliance of Connecticut. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, bicycling, and home projects.
Robert Hoppenstedt, '19,Treasurer, '21, Finance and Grant Committees
Bob has lived in the New Haven area for over 40 years and is currently a resident of Hamden. Prior to his retirement, he was a member of the executive teams at Liberty Bank in Middletown and Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Bethpage, NY.
He has served on numerous community Committees and Boards including the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern CT, The United Ways of Middlesex County and Long Island Way, Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, the Long Island Urban League, The Dolan DNA Research Center in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. and the Middlesex County YMCA. He also served as a mentor in the Middletown Elementary Schools.
He holds a BA in English and Education from Colgate University (Hamilton, NY), an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the London Graduate School of Business Studies (London, England) and is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking (University of Delaware).
Bob has lived in the New Haven area for over 40 years and is currently a resident of Hamden. Prior to his retirement, he was a member of the executive teams at Liberty Bank in Middletown and Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Bethpage, NY.
He has served on numerous community Committees and Boards including the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern CT, The United Ways of Middlesex County and Long Island Way, Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, the Long Island Urban League, The Dolan DNA Research Center in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. and the Middlesex County YMCA. He also served as a mentor in the Middletown Elementary Schools.
He holds a BA in English and Education from Colgate University (Hamilton, NY), an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the London Graduate School of Business Studies (London, England) and is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking (University of Delaware).
Andrew Danzig, PE, '16 Grant, Nominating Committees
Andy joined the Green Fund board in 2016 as a representative from Woodbridge. He was Secretary of the organization until 2021. He is an active member of the Grants Committee and joined the nominating committee in 2021. His passion for environmental issues was likely ignited on the very first Earth Day, when as a Boy Scout he picked up litter along the Erie Canal in Syracuse, NY.
He focused on Ecology while earning a BS in Biology from UConn. Andy later earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech and worked for 25 years as an Environmental Engineer for the TVA in Chattanooga, TN, for an environmental NGO in Israel, and for environmental consulting firms in Connecticut. While still a Professional Engineer, he has mostly retired from consulting. After studying to become a certified Master Gardener, he enjoys working with plants to enhance people’s landscapes, focusing on native plants.
Living for 2 years in a grass hut without running water or electricity as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa provided lifelong lessons on resource management and how to get by with less. Andy has led several EcoTeams, small groups of people learning skills to live more sustainably, and participated in several sustainability-oriented discussion groups in Woodbridge using materials from the Northwest Earth Institute (nwei.org).
Andy served as Cubmaster of a New Haven area Cub Scout pack. Other volunteer activities include serving on Woodbridge’s Community Emergency Response Team and Clean Energy Initiative Task Force, and currently as the Woodbridge Trailmaster. He is also on the Facilities Committee of Massaro Farm, an organic CSA farm in Woodbridge. Andy has trained in Aikido for over 20 years, is an avid gardener, enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures, playing and watching basketball, particularly women’s college and professional basketball, and continues to learn as much as he can.
Andy joined the Green Fund board in 2016 as a representative from Woodbridge. He was Secretary of the organization until 2021. He is an active member of the Grants Committee and joined the nominating committee in 2021. His passion for environmental issues was likely ignited on the very first Earth Day, when as a Boy Scout he picked up litter along the Erie Canal in Syracuse, NY.
He focused on Ecology while earning a BS in Biology from UConn. Andy later earned a Masters in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech and worked for 25 years as an Environmental Engineer for the TVA in Chattanooga, TN, for an environmental NGO in Israel, and for environmental consulting firms in Connecticut. While still a Professional Engineer, he has mostly retired from consulting. After studying to become a certified Master Gardener, he enjoys working with plants to enhance people’s landscapes, focusing on native plants.
Living for 2 years in a grass hut without running water or electricity as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger, West Africa provided lifelong lessons on resource management and how to get by with less. Andy has led several EcoTeams, small groups of people learning skills to live more sustainably, and participated in several sustainability-oriented discussion groups in Woodbridge using materials from the Northwest Earth Institute (nwei.org).
Andy served as Cubmaster of a New Haven area Cub Scout pack. Other volunteer activities include serving on Woodbridge’s Community Emergency Response Team and Clean Energy Initiative Task Force, and currently as the Woodbridge Trailmaster. He is also on the Facilities Committee of Massaro Farm, an organic CSA farm in Woodbridge. Andy has trained in Aikido for over 20 years, is an avid gardener, enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures, playing and watching basketball, particularly women’s college and professional basketball, and continues to learn as much as he can.
Annie Adams, '19 Grants Committee Chair ('20)
Annie Adams has spent her career working in nonprofits and philanthropy focused on sustainability and equity. She is currently the program manager at the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, and previously coordinated the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health, a collaborative, community-led fund to support grassroots groups focused on sustainable and equitable recovery from natural and human-made disasters in the Gulf Coast. She joined that effort after several years with the Environmental Grantmakers Association, where she coordinated the Sustainability Funders. Prior to joining philanthropy, Annie worked on public policy, human rights and environmental issues in California. She holds an MPA from Columbia University and a BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. Her work has been featured in books and national publications including Ms., the Financial Times, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. She lives in Hamden.
Annie Adams has spent her career working in nonprofits and philanthropy focused on sustainability and equity. She is currently the program manager at the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, and previously coordinated the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health, a collaborative, community-led fund to support grassroots groups focused on sustainable and equitable recovery from natural and human-made disasters in the Gulf Coast. She joined that effort after several years with the Environmental Grantmakers Association, where she coordinated the Sustainability Funders. Prior to joining philanthropy, Annie worked on public policy, human rights and environmental issues in California. She holds an MPA from Columbia University and a BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. Her work has been featured in books and national publications including Ms., the Financial Times, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. She lives in Hamden.
Marian Evans, MD, MPH, '14 Grants, Nominating, Marketing and Outreach Committees
Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. A graduate of Lauralton Hall (Academy of Our Lady of Mercy), BA from Swarthmore College, MD from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Southern CT State University. Currently, a tenured Assistant Professor, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate public health courses, and serves as the graduate coordinator of the MPH program for the Department of Public Health. She is faculty liaison to the Multicultural Center and chapter advisor to the Golden Key International Honour Society. In 1999, she was a physician scientist at the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center. In 2004, she was appointed the Director of Health and Social Services for the City of Bridgeport until 2010. She is a Connecticut Health Foundation Health Leadership Fellow, and a Community Leadership Program fellow of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. A world traveler and environmental global health champion, whose most recent trip will be a 2020 Study Abroad to Puerto Rico.
She has received numerous awards most recently: 2018-Elm City National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women (NANBPW), and Outstanding Faculty Member by the SCSU Multicultural Center. She presently sits on the Board of Director’s as the Vice-chair for Community Health Network of CT Foundation, a board member of the Greater New Haven Green Fund, and the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund. She is passionate about ministry to people in untraditional, and unconventional forms. (Tenacious, educated, professional, physician, researcher, scientist, professor, woman of faith, award winner, sister, caregiver, community activist, leader, scuba diver, mentor, and wife).
Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. A graduate of Lauralton Hall (Academy of Our Lady of Mercy), BA from Swarthmore College, MD from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Southern CT State University. Currently, a tenured Assistant Professor, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate public health courses, and serves as the graduate coordinator of the MPH program for the Department of Public Health. She is faculty liaison to the Multicultural Center and chapter advisor to the Golden Key International Honour Society. In 1999, she was a physician scientist at the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center. In 2004, she was appointed the Director of Health and Social Services for the City of Bridgeport until 2010. She is a Connecticut Health Foundation Health Leadership Fellow, and a Community Leadership Program fellow of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. A world traveler and environmental global health champion, whose most recent trip will be a 2020 Study Abroad to Puerto Rico.
She has received numerous awards most recently: 2018-Elm City National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women (NANBPW), and Outstanding Faculty Member by the SCSU Multicultural Center. She presently sits on the Board of Director’s as the Vice-chair for Community Health Network of CT Foundation, a board member of the Greater New Haven Green Fund, and the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund. She is passionate about ministry to people in untraditional, and unconventional forms. (Tenacious, educated, professional, physician, researcher, scientist, professor, woman of faith, award winner, sister, caregiver, community activist, leader, scuba diver, mentor, and wife).
Aaron Goode, Finance, Nominating, Marketing and Outreach Committees '11
Aaron is a environmental advocate based in New Haven. He is the founder of the New Haven Votes Coalition and on the board of the New Haven Democracy Fund, the city's program for public financing of municipal elections. He is the author or editor of several books about New Haven. He is a past Treasurer of the Green Fund and has served on the board since 2011.
Aaron is a environmental advocate based in New Haven. He is the founder of the New Haven Votes Coalition and on the board of the New Haven Democracy Fund, the city's program for public financing of municipal elections. He is the author or editor of several books about New Haven. He is a past Treasurer of the Green Fund and has served on the board since 2011.
Alec Janis, Secretary, Grant Committee ('21)
An avid hiker of Connecticut, Alec was raised on the shoreline trails in Branford. Later, he was polished off in New Orleans where he became involved in environmental activism. Having joined the AmeriCorps after graduating with a degree in Public Health from Tulane University, Alec became the program and communications coordinator for The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. There he worked on coastal mangrove restoration projects, educating local communities about green infrastructure movements in their area and designing a tour on the intersections of Water Infrastructure, Environmental Justice and Music. Having returned to the Greater New Haven Area, he seeks to continue to work against environmental degradation with the Greater New Haven Green Fund through marketing and media. Board of Director since 2021.
An avid hiker of Connecticut, Alec was raised on the shoreline trails in Branford. Later, he was polished off in New Orleans where he became involved in environmental activism. Having joined the AmeriCorps after graduating with a degree in Public Health from Tulane University, Alec became the program and communications coordinator for The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans. There he worked on coastal mangrove restoration projects, educating local communities about green infrastructure movements in their area and designing a tour on the intersections of Water Infrastructure, Environmental Justice and Music. Having returned to the Greater New Haven Area, he seeks to continue to work against environmental degradation with the Greater New Haven Green Fund through marketing and media. Board of Director since 2021.
Shanti Madison, Marketing and Outreach, Grant Committees ('21)
I am an Assistant Garden Manager at the West River Little Red Hen Community Garden in New Haven. I have lived in the city all my life and have attained my BA in Environmental Systems of Sustainability Studies from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020. My current position is as a Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education where I student teach English at Hopkins School.
I am an Assistant Garden Manager at the West River Little Red Hen Community Garden in New Haven. I have lived in the city all my life and have attained my BA in Environmental Systems of Sustainability Studies from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020. My current position is as a Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education where I student teach English at Hopkins School.
Nate Wood MD, Grant Committee, '21
Nate is a native Michigander who was born and raised on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. He completed his BS in Linguistics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his MD from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Before becoming a doctor, Nate also went to culinary school, graduating with a certificate in professional culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York and completing his externship at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant The Modern.
Nate moved to New Haven in 2019 and has really enjoyed making himself at home in his new city. He is currently a third-year resident physician in primary care-internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital. His passion is in combining food and medicine, and he hopes to use his education and experiences to educate patients and community members on how to eat deliciously, healthfully, and sustainably while also advocating for systemic changes to make it more accessible for all to do so. In his spare time, you can find Nate playing the piano, taking an evening walk around East Rock, cooking from his CSA box, hanging out with friends, and — his favorite pastime — getting sucked into a good TV show.
Nate is a native Michigander who was born and raised on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. He completed his BS in Linguistics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his MD from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Before becoming a doctor, Nate also went to culinary school, graduating with a certificate in professional culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York and completing his externship at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant The Modern.
Nate moved to New Haven in 2019 and has really enjoyed making himself at home in his new city. He is currently a third-year resident physician in primary care-internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital. His passion is in combining food and medicine, and he hopes to use his education and experiences to educate patients and community members on how to eat deliciously, healthfully, and sustainably while also advocating for systemic changes to make it more accessible for all to do so. In his spare time, you can find Nate playing the piano, taking an evening walk around East Rock, cooking from his CSA box, hanging out with friends, and — his favorite pastime — getting sucked into a good TV show.
Rose Richi, '20, Grants committee
Dr. David Asbery, ' 22
Hamden, Connecticut-based not-for-profit organization, Fixing Fathers One Dad at a
Time was founded in 2017 by Dr. David Asbery. In addition, Dr. Asbery serves as a
member of Hamden's Board of Education. Additionally, Dr. Asbery has served as a
member and president of Hamden's Human Rights and Relations
Committee. Currently, he is a member of Hamden’s Democratic Town Committee and
an environmental activist. He enjoys his travels to New York City every day where he
works as the Director of Office Services at Empire State Realty Trust. (The folks that
own the world famous Empire State Building) He enjoys reading, writing, playing video
games with his son, and telling any interested soul his story about meeting actor,
Denzel Washington.
Dr. Asbery’s claim to fame is that In 1999, he co-authored a New York Times Best
Seller entitled, Bootleg with actor and comedian Damon Wayans.
Hamden, Connecticut-based not-for-profit organization, Fixing Fathers One Dad at a
Time was founded in 2017 by Dr. David Asbery. In addition, Dr. Asbery serves as a
member of Hamden's Board of Education. Additionally, Dr. Asbery has served as a
member and president of Hamden's Human Rights and Relations
Committee. Currently, he is a member of Hamden’s Democratic Town Committee and
an environmental activist. He enjoys his travels to New York City every day where he
works as the Director of Office Services at Empire State Realty Trust. (The folks that
own the world famous Empire State Building) He enjoys reading, writing, playing video
games with his son, and telling any interested soul his story about meeting actor,
Denzel Washington.
Dr. Asbery’s claim to fame is that In 1999, he co-authored a New York Times Best
Seller entitled, Bootleg with actor and comedian Damon Wayans.
Jamal Robinson, '22
Jamal Robinson has been in the beer business for 18 years and is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing for New England Brewing Co in Woodbridge CT. He is the founder and chair of the NEBCO Equality committee and has created two African American brewers scholarships raising over $100,000 in the last 2 years. He is the lead organizer for the Change in the Air Festival and President of the Change in the Air Foundation, a non profit fundraising for the scholarships and working to diversify the beer industry and culture. He is a liaison to Newhallville Community Action network with their Star st Garden and an avid gardener in the middle of building a ½ acre urban homestead in New Haven.
Jamal was also recently selected as a 2022 Hartford Business Journal 40 under forty honoree.
photo credit: Winter Caplanson, CT Mag
Jamal Robinson has been in the beer business for 18 years and is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing for New England Brewing Co in Woodbridge CT. He is the founder and chair of the NEBCO Equality committee and has created two African American brewers scholarships raising over $100,000 in the last 2 years. He is the lead organizer for the Change in the Air Festival and President of the Change in the Air Foundation, a non profit fundraising for the scholarships and working to diversify the beer industry and culture. He is a liaison to Newhallville Community Action network with their Star st Garden and an avid gardener in the middle of building a ½ acre urban homestead in New Haven.
Jamal was also recently selected as a 2022 Hartford Business Journal 40 under forty honoree.
photo credit: Winter Caplanson, CT Mag
Lorena Venegas, '22
Lorena Venegas is a current member of the Hagaman Memorial Library Board of Trustees in East Haven. She has successfully written grants that support education for children, food insecurity and environmental causes. She is an active member of 10,000 Hawks, Citizens Climate Lobby, Neighborhood Housing Services and volunteers in various New Haven County organizations. Her background combines studies at Cornell University in Biochemistry and Government. Her main interests combine public health and outreach in quality of life issues.
Lorena Venegas is a current member of the Hagaman Memorial Library Board of Trustees in East Haven. She has successfully written grants that support education for children, food insecurity and environmental causes. She is an active member of 10,000 Hawks, Citizens Climate Lobby, Neighborhood Housing Services and volunteers in various New Haven County organizations. Her background combines studies at Cornell University in Biochemistry and Government. Her main interests combine public health and outreach in quality of life issues.