Faces Behind Recycling Connections

Meet Our President: JEN MCNELLY

In this article of “The Faces Behind Recycling Connections,” we introduce you to the current President of the Board of Directors, Jen McNelly. Jen is the Natural Resources Groundwater Educator with U

W-Madison Division of Extension. She has served on the board since 2003 and has held every leadership position through the years. We recently interviewed her about her service to Recycling Connections. You can read the interview here.

Question? Why did you join the RC Board?

Response: I was invited to join the Recycling Connections board as a student member when I was a college student. I have enjoyed serving so much that I just stuck with it. I feel like it is a great way to combine my interest and passion in natural resources as well as serving my community!

Question? What is it about Recycling Connections that makes you most proud to serve as a board of director?

Response: I absolutely love the work that Recycling Connections does and what they work for. I couldn’t be more proud then to support that, in a small way, by serving on the board of directors.

Question? Give a story or a moment you remember when you were helping RC grow. It could have been at a planning/vision meeting or outreach event.

Response: A number of years ago, Recycling Connections went through a major shift in how they received funding. The organization decided to take the time to really reevaluate the organization and they wound up re-naming the organization to Recycling Connections (in 2004). That name change provided a shift in how they approached the work they did, and I think really opened new doors.

Question? In 5 years, where do you see Recycling Connections?

Response: I think in five years we will see a larger focus on composting and organic diversion from the waste stream. I always continue to hope that we will see an expansion of recycling and waste reduction in local communities!

Question? In 25 years, where do you see Recycling Connections?

Response: I think in 25 years we will be dealing with all new forms of waste reduction and recycling. I think, in some way, this will be a part of us working to address climate change.

Question? Is there anything more you wish to share?

Response: It has been such an honor to serve on the Board of Directors. I would encourage anyone to find something or a topic that they enjoy and find some way to give back to it, including volunteering.

Jen ends this interview with a very important message to us all, a calling of volunteering! Recycling Connections knows the important role volunteers play to all non-profits.  We could not do what we do without the time and leadership from our volunteer board of directors. All our directors have a wonderful vision for the future and believe in our organization. They help us contribute to a better future by thinking outside the trash and toward advancements in waste reduction, reuse, recycling, compost, and sustainable resource conservation. The future is bright under Jen’s leadership as board president.