Cynthia Salus, President
Cynthia Salus is Woodlands Wildlife Refuge’s Board President since 2014. Cynthia’s involvement with Woodlands began in 2007 serving on the fundraising committee for their spring fundraising gala. She joined the Board in 2012 and has served as the Board Secretary and participates on multiple Woodlands’ committees including fundraising, board expansion and finance. Cynthia’s favorite Woodlands memory was preparing bear cubs for release back into the wild. Professionally Cynthia has worked at AT&T since 1996 and is currently a Lead Pricing/Costing Manager for AT&T.
Lisa Reilly, Vice President
Lisa Reilly joined the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors in March 2020. Having a passion for animals, she obtained her BS in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts.
Over the years, Lisa has volunteered with various animal organizations and currently serves on the event planning committee at Woodlands.
In addition, Lisa earned both her MS in Biology and MBA in Pharmaceutical Management from Seton Hall University and currently works at Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the Clinical Insights & Experience Group focusing on patient recruitment & engagement in clinical trials.
Lisa currently resides in Pittstown, NJ with her husband, 2 children and their dog Ruby.
Karen Bowker, Treasurer
Karen Bowker is Woodlands Wildlife Refuge’s Treasurer. As Treasurer, she is responsible for preparing financial reports to the Board. Karen has been involved with Woodlands since 1998 and a Board member since 2000. Karen also has served as a board member of South Main Village’s Home Owner’s Association. Karen is a recently retired IT professional and also enjoys volunteering time for Hunterdon County’s Meals-On-Wheels program and America’s Grow-a-Row.
David Cucchiara, Secretary
David Cucchiara is a lifelong environmentalist with a passion for habitat conservation. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and reading in his spare time.
David brings extensive fundraising and nonprofit management experience to the Board. He currently serves as Communications & Program Associate at the F. M. Kirby Foundation in Morristown, where he oversees grantmaking and external communications to support nonprofit organizations throughout New Jersey. Previously, as Director of Membership & Development at Sourland Conservancy, David managed donor acquisition and retention campaigns, wrote and reported on grants, and fostered authentic relationships with members, donors, and foundation partners. His work focused on protecting critical wildlife habitat and natural resources while fostering community engagement in conservation efforts. David’s career also includes leadership roles in digital marketing and content strategy at Wakefern Food Corp.
David holds a Master of Science in Digital Content Strategy from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from East Carolina University. He is a certified New Jersey Land Steward. Originally from Hillsborough, David has been a resident of High Bridge since 2020.
Sue Clerico, Trustee
Sue Clerico is a lifelong animal lover and conservation advocate with a long history of volunteer work dedicated to animal welfare. First introduced to Woodlands Wildlife Refuge when she brought in an injured rabbit, Sue later volunteered as a wildlife handler for 5 years and currently serves on the Succession Committee. She volunteered with Equine Advocates, rescuing and rehabilitating abused horses and worked with the Humane Society of the Untied States on wild horse population management in Puerto Rico. Sue also served on the Grant Review Committee for Impact 100 Garden State, evaluating local non-profits for philanthropic grants.
Sue is a licensed professional land use planner. Prior to retirement she was a partner at Carriage Farm LLC where she helped transform a single-tenant commercial agricultural property into a vibrant mixed-use business complex, including the renovation of a historic Dutch barn into a popular brewery.
She has a BA in Environmental Studies from The College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and currently lives in Hillsborough, NJ with her husband Ed and their senior rescue dog, Comet.
Kristin DiFoglio, Trustee
Kristin DiFoglio is the Associate Dean of Advancement for Rutgers Business School. She serves as the primary liaison between the Rutgers University Foundation and Rutgers Business School alumni donors and corporate funding partners. In addition to a successful career on Wall Street, she has previously held leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, several national health career non-profits including JDRF, the American Lung Association and the American Red Cross. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from New York University and a BS degree in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.
Paul Meck, Trustee
Paul Meck is a lifelong outdoor and nature enthusiast. First introduced to Woodlands Wildlife Refuge as an assistant, then as a wildlife handler, Paul enjoys working hands-on with the animals. He also supports WWR in a variety of other functions, such as cage repair and other support activities. He has volunteered with Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, NY on a variety of research projects.
Paul is an Information Technology professional. Prior to retirement, he was a director at Columbia University in New York City, managing a team supporting the University’s Payroll, Benefits and Human Resources systems. He has a BS in Marketing/Communications from Drexel University in Philadelphia and currently lives in Phillipsburg, NJ with his wife Wendy. Paul enjoys hiking, beekeeping, raising koi, and just hanging out in nature.
Lisa Routel, Trustee
Lisa Routel is a long-term resident of Hunterdon County, and she is an engaged volunteer within her community. She is a member of the Readington Open Space Advisory Board, Agricultural Land Advisory Committee, and the Planning Board. Lisa is passionate about wildlife, and she is the Program Manager of the Readington Kestrel Recovery Program, launched the Wood Duck Nesting Box Program, and is a part of the team developing wildlife corridors within the township.
Lisa has over 20 years of corporate experience in managerial roles and has worked for such iconic brands as: Verizon, Jaguar Land Rover, and Home Box Office (HBO). Prior to her business career, she was a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. She holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business, as well as a BS in Chemistry from Gettysburg College.
Board Advisors
Linda Tesauro
Joanna Lewin
Paul Ausmann
Interested in joining our Board of Trustees?
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge welcomes new prospects for our committees and Board of Trustees. We seek a variety of professional skills, and professional or personal experience in community outreach, fundraising and leadership. Nonprofit board experience is desirable but not required.
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit organization that has served New Jersey’s wildlife and human communities since 1986. Woodlands is recognized statewide and internationally as an effective provider to those communities and wildlife in need. It is well known for its quality animal care, wildlife rehabilitation programs, public education and community service. As its animal admissions and day to day work load continue to increase development activities are focused on ensuring that Woodlands continues to meet those demands. Woodlands’ is dedicated to planning for the future and serving generations to come, both human and wild.
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