News

Pure Waters Welcomes Five New Members to Board of Directors

GENEVA, N.Y. — Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (Pure Waters) is pleased to announce the election of five new members to its Board of Directors, as voted upon at the 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 10: Anne Jardine, Mark Mathias, Mark Palmieri, Kelly J. Smith, and Annie St. Clair. Together, they bring a broad range of experience in science, business, organizational leadership, community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship to Pure Waters.

“I am very excited to welcome this exceptional class of new board members,” said Pure Waters President Bill Roege. “Each brings a unique combination of experience, expertise, and enthusiasm that will strengthen our Board and help Pure Waters continue to grow and expand its impact.”

Anne Jardine is a full-time Romulus resident with extensive experience in senior executive leadership, strategic planning, and business consulting. Before retiring, Anne served as President of North America for Vanity Fair Intimate Apparel and later spent more than a decade as a senior consultant with The MindFarm Consulting. A Pure Waters member for four years, she is particularly interested in helping the organization expand corporate awareness and develop long-term corporate partnerships.

Mark Mathias brings extensive scientific and technical expertise along with several years of active involvement with Pure Waters. A member for eight years, Mark has served on the Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Committee since 2020. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering and currently works as an electrochemical engineering consultant and Adjunct Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Rochester. His interests include water quality, further developing the Seneca Watershed Nutrient Reduction Program (SNPR), and helping translate the Seneca Lake 9E Watershed Plan into action.

Mark Palmieri grew up in the Finger Lakes and brings extensive experience in community leadership, organizational management, analysis, and planning. A former Geneva Town Board member and Deputy Supervisor, Mark has also served as Executive Director of the Geneva Business Improvement District and Director of Institutional Research at Keuka College. Now living in Penn Yan, he is a three-year Pure Waters member and participant on the Membership Committee.

Kelly J. Smith is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Elmira College with extensive experience in environmental research, education, and water resource issues. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University, and her academic career has included work in marine and restoration ecology, freshwater science, and environmental assessment. Since coming to the Finger Lakes, Kelly has become involved with Pure Waters’ water quality work and brings additional experience in grant development and environmental advisory work.

Annie St. Clair is a full-time Himrod resident with extensive experience in human resources, organizational development, and talent management. Before retiring, Annie served as a Managing Director with Deloitte Consulting and held senior consulting and corporate human resources positions with Willis Towers Watson and Basell Polyolefins. She also brings previous nonprofit board experience and expertise in talent strategy, training, recruiting, organizational development, and writing.

“We are welcoming an incredible class of new board members, and they have already hit the ground running,” said Pure Waters Association Director Benjamin Klein. “I cannot wait to see what we can all accomplish together in our mission to protect Seneca Lake.”

Pictured clockwise from top left: Anne Jardine, Mark Mathias, Mark Palmieri, Annie St. Clair, and Kelly J. Smith.

Learn more about Pure Waters

To learn more about volunteering: https://senecalake.org/volunteer-opportunities/
To learn more about donating: https://senecalake.org/giving/

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to preserving, protecting, and promoting the abundant resources of the largest Finger Lake. Seneca Lake is a source of drinking water, recreation, and economic opportunity for the greater community and its visitors. Our programs and partnerships make it possible to monitor water quality, educate the public, and evaluate threats to help ensure a healthy future for Seneca Lake and all who depend on it.