Protecting Your Water, Wildlife & Land
For general inquiries, please email staff@neponset.org
cooke@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 305
Ian has served as Executive Director since 1993. As Executive Director, he has developed the Watershed Association’s programs, expanded its capabilities, and fostered the development of the watershed approach in MA.
Ian is a board member and former president of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and was formerly a Board Member of the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition.
He has a BA in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire.
Nancy joined NepRWA in 2008. She coordinates communications, events, and public outreach efforts across the organization. She helps us make connections with volunteers, members, residents, students, and local officials, spreading awareness about how everyone can become responsible stewards of our shared Watershed.
She has a BFA in Communication Design from the Parsons School of Design and a K-12 teaching certificate from the Massachusetts College of Art.
groce-horan@neponset.org 781-575-0354 x 312
Karen joins NepRWA after careers in higher-ed, business finance, workforce development, and non-profit equity – justice work. Central to her work in the recent past has been collaboration and community engagement.
Having raised a family in the Neponset region, Karen has been involved in racial, economic and environmental justice in the region and Greenway area for years and looks forward to partnering with communities to bring engagement strategies and adaptive, resilient solutions for positive impact in the Neponset Watershed.
hinton@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 308
Suzanne joined the NepRWA staff in October 2024. She promotes safety and access, cool/shady spaces, and alternative transportation along the Neponset Greenways. In addition, she manages NepRWA’s volunteer program.
During her career in higher education, she taught courses on social and political philosophy, gender and race, and community action, and directed offices that centered communities through social and environmental partnerships and programming.
She also worked as a Community Organizer for the Hyde Park Neponset River Access Committee, which advocated for more riverfront connections and hosted events to engage community members with the Neponset.
Suzanne holds a BS in applied philosophy from Drexel University and an MA in philosophy from the University of Tennessee.
hopcroft@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 303
Jen joined the NepRWA staff in 2021. She helps lead efforts to recruit the partners, volunteers, members, and financial resources needed to carry out new and existing program initiatives.
Previously, she held fund development and operations positions in local and international human services and social justice organizations.
She holds a BA from Wesleyan University.
River Restoration Director
mccanty@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 304
Sean joined NepRWA in December 2021 and leads scientific programs to help monitor and improve water quality, habitat quality, and stream health in both freshwater and coastal environments across the Watershed.
He holds bachelors’ degrees in Environmental Science and Ecology from the University of Maryland and a PhD in Environmental Biology from the University of Massachusetts Boston.
phan@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x302
Vanan joined NepRWA in September 2025, and leads the outreach strategy and message development for the Stormwater Partnership and the Water Conservation Partnership. She also works to support NepRWA’s overall digital outreach and social media content generation.
Social marketing (not to be confused with “social media”) is the practice of using all the tools of modern marketing communication to encourage people to engage in positive behaviors like saving water and using more environmentally friendly yard care practices.
She holds a bachelors’ degree in English with a certification in Professional Writing and Technical Communication, and letters of specialization in Creative Writing, and the Study and Practice of Writing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
ripley@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 301
Andres joined NepRWA in 2018 and leads our efforts to conserve and improve public access to the River, its tributaries, and natural areas across the Watershed. He also works to extend greenways and recreational connections throughout the Watershed.
He works closely with the Neponset Greenway Council along the DCR Neponset Greenway Multi-Use Trail, and with a wide variety of neighborhood groups, partner nonprofits, and municipal agencies across the Watershed.
He received his B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College.
Silva-navarro@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 310
Paloma Silva-Navarro holds a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Northeastern University. Her interests include improving ecosystem function and ecological integrity in vulnerable areas, prioritizing watershed connectivity.
In her role as Environmental Science and Engineering Fellow, she will support our mission by managing the Community Water Monitoring Network, teaching educational programs on stormwater management, and leading river cleanups.
snyder@neponset.org
781-575-0354 x 300
Kerry joined NepRWA in 2017. She leads NepRWA’s efforts to work with communities on reducing stormwater pollution and increasing the resilience of our communities and our water resources to climate change, with an emphasis on involving environmental justice and climate-vulnerable residents in decision-making.
She also helps advocate for stronger environmental policies at the federal, state, and local levels.
She earned her J.D. through Suffolk University Law School and her B.A. from Boston University.
weiss@neponset.org 781-575-0354 x 309
Rebecca joined NepRWA in 2021. Rebecca manages the rest of us and keeps our lively office functioning.
She has a BA degree in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Hartford and a BS degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Central Florida.
yie@neponset.org 781-575-0354 x 306
Anna joined NepRWA in October 2023 and works on stormwater management and reduction, primarily through green infrastructure practices. She provides technical assistance to communities and partners on environmental and spatial data. Before joining NepRWA she worked in stormwater infrastructure, water quality, and green infrastructure implementation.
She holds a B.A. in Biology & Environmental Studies from Kenyon College and a M.S. in Sustainable Environmental Systems from the Pratt Institute in New York.
September 23, 2023 from 9 am – noon
Questions? Please email NepRWA Environmental Science Fellow, Benni Marques.
