Staff
Brenda Smith, Executive Director
Brenda Smith joined Nine Mile Run as Executive Director in January 2008. Over the last two decades, she has helped nonprofit groups as diverse as humanitarian aid organizations and arts ensembles with strategic planning, board development, fundraising, and administrative challenges.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Brenda travelled around the world four times, working on Pitt’s Semester-at-Sea program. Between trips she studied at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. In 1989 she co-founded Global Links, a nonprofit organization that provides hospitals in Western Pennsylvania and across the U.S. with an environmentally responsible alternative to disposal or incineration of surplus equipment and supplies. Materials recovered here are sent to hospitals and clinics serving the poor around the world, with special emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. Serving as President of Global Links for ten years, Brenda helped the organization grow to include more than ten paid staff members, hundreds of volunteers, and average annual donations valued at more than $1 million.
Brenda has worked in either a volunteer or consultant capacity with the Three Rivers Community Foundation, the Renaissance City Choirs, the Creative Nonfiction Foundation, and Building New Hope. Prior to joining NMRWA, she served for three years as the full time Development Director of Chatham Baroque. She is delighted to have the opportunity to lead the next phase of NMRWA’s growth and development. Currently co-chairing the Green Infrastructure Network’s Pilot Projects subcommittee, she has also recently participated in the Source Water Protection Technical Assistance Program for the Pennsylvania American Water company in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Lisa Brown, Director of Operations and Outreach
Lisa joined the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association in February of 2006 and was promoted to Director of Operations and Outreach in January 2010. She is a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh in Administrative and Policy Studies, where she is focusing on environmental education in developing economies. She has an undergraduate degree in Biology and Botany from Chatham College and, as a student, conducted undergraduate research on native plants growing in acid mine drainage and slag environments. Lisa is a native Pittsburgher and has been an active volunteer in many educational and environmental concerns in the region.
Judi Jungling, Office Manager
Judi comes to NMRWA with 38 years of office experience including key skills in data management and customer service. With gardening and nature as two of her greatest passions, working for Nine Mile Run is a satisfying experience for her. Judi's excellent organizational skills keep the day-to-day operation of the organization running smoothly.
Luke Stamper, Program Coordinator
Luke first came to NMRWA in the winter of 2005 as an intern working within the Greenlinks program. He has an undergraduate degree in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master's degree in Environmental Education and Parks and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. Luke's work with NMRWA focuses on managing, implementing, and developing the Urban Ecostewards program and the Rain Barrel Initative. His interests include: grant writing, native plants, eliminating invasive plants, and teaching local students all about their watershed. Any free time he has he plays mandolin in Pittsburgh's premiere bluegrass band, the Mon River Ramblers.
Sara Madden, Program Assistant
Joining the team as an intern in the summer of 2009, Sara is a Pittsburgh native and a resident of the watershed. She has an undergraduate degree in fine arts and is currently pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture degree at Chatham University. Her interests include: contemporary sculpture, garden design, urban ecology, alternative transportation, and environmental planning. In her free time, Sara enjoys traveling by bike through the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.
Justin Hynicka, Program Coordinator
Justin joined NMRWA in 2009 as a rain barrel intern and is now the GreenLinks program coordinator. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a double major in Chemistry and Environmental Geology, and has a profound interest in the science, policy, and management of water resources. When he is not severing your downspout, Justin is most likely riding his bike, playing guitar, or eating ice cream.
Liana Maneese, Program Assistant
Liana came to Nine Mile Run in the Fall of 2009 as an apprentice through the Americorps Public Ally Program. Born in Brazil and raised on the east end of Pittsburgh she was taught from a young age to be a strong and productive member of her community. Liana has a love for service but more specifically for the cause of Environmental Justice. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with a degree in Marketing. She spent this past summer working with the Student Conservation Association teaching high school students to be stewards of their environment. Liana has worked on urban development projects in downtown Los Angeles, CA as well as with a branding firm in Hollywood, CA that specialized in art direction and packaging. With a love for her community, and the young people in it, Liana is excited to help build a sustainable, environmentally focused and connected urban space for all to enjoy.
Molly Freedman, Program Assistant
A native of Washington, DC, Molly joined NMRWA in September 2009 as a federal community service work study student from Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College, where she is working towards a Masters degree in Public Policy and Management. She recently returned from two years in Bulgaria as a Peace Corps Volunteer where she taught English in a primary school and worked on grassroots community projects. Molly loves living next door to Frick Park and tries to run through it as frequently as posisble.