
Meet Our Awesome Members!
LAUREN MARTIN
President, 2018
I have been living in Chester on our little farm for the past 9 years with my husband, our daughters, and our fun-loving pets: 3 horses, 3 dogs and 3 cats. I joined WMJWC in 2018 after attending my favorite event, A Day at the Derby, for the second time. I am passionate about the Junior’s mission and focus on the community. Through membership in this club, I have formed close friendships with remarkable women who inspire me to be my best self. As a stay-at-home mom, I enjoy working with a team of like-minded women to achieve common goals. Serving on the executive board and co-chairing events such as our annual fundraiser, Paws for a Cause and Spring into Success has brought me immense pride, fulfillment, and joy. Most of all, I enjoy setting an example to my daughters on how to work as a team and make a positive impact in their community. Photo credit: Ali Hubbell Photography
KRISTEN SCHUTZMAN
Vice President and Director of Communications, 2015
I was born and raised in West Orange, NJ and went to college in NYC where I met my husband Lee. We enjoyed city life for 7 more years before moving to Mendham in 2010. We have 3 amazing children, ages 11, 9, and 6. I joined Juniors in April 2015 to become more involved in the community, and also to meet some local women. I am currently the Vice President and the Director of Communications and am the co-chair of the Thanksgiving Food Drive. My favorite events are those that involve the schools, as I have elementary school-aged children and I love involving them in the amazing events we do - truly a learning experience for them to see how we can help our community.
AMANDA VALENTA
Director Of Community Outreach and Charitable Events, 2017
My family moved to Mendham Township in 2014 after many years in Hoboken. My husband and I have two children, 11 & 9, and two kittens. We love being outside and exploring all the local trails that Mendham and the surrounding towns have to offer. I joined the West Morris Juniors in 2017. I was hoping to become more involved in the community and meet more people. Some of my favorite evens are the Thanksgiving Food Drive which I co-chaired for three years, Luminaries, and the Halloween Poster Contest.
HOLLY MURPHY
Treasurer, 2021
Randolph has been home for me and my husband, Rich, since 2012. We have since been raising our children here, ages 8, 6, and 4. I work full time in supply chain at Mondelez, and enjoy work and home life here in Morris County. I joined WMJWC in 2021 hoping to be involved in a group that serves and supports the local community; I got more than I expected. The organization is also about women empowering women, as well as having fun. I am grateful to be a part of this group and so many great events, and now to serve as Treasurer.
MONICA SHIELS
Secretary, 2022
I was born in North Miami, Florida, but halfway through childhood moved to Morris County in New Jersey. While I miss the beaches of Florida, I met my best friend and husband during High School. After college, we got married and then had our 3 wonderful children, a 6 year old girl, 4 year old boy and 2 year old boy. We moved to our home in Mendham Township in January 2022. We have loved this community so much, the schools, the events, the small town feel. While I enjoy volunteering at the school, I decided to also try the Juniors in June 2022 to get to know other women and mostly to serve our area as serving the community has always been a passion of mine. I am serving as our club Secretary as I enjoy organization and behind the scenes help. Spring into Success is one of my favorite events as it is where I first met some of these incredible women and was inspired to join.
HALEY MAGNETT
Director of Membership, 2022
We had been living in the city since 2005 but wanted a change for our daughter, Violet, 5, and parking spaces! So we moved to Mendham NJ by way of Brooklyn in 2018. I currently work part time designing interiors as well as decorative pillows. When not working I am busy raising our daughter. As we settled into the Mendham way of life I wanted to become more involved in the community I was growing to love and form solid friendships. So in 2022, I joined the Juniors and haven’t looked back since. The club is fulfilling all that I was looking for when I first joined as far as meeting great people, forming strong friendships, having enormous amounts of fun and giving back to the surrounding communities.
AMY DOW
Director of Social Media, 2022
I’m originally from Staten Island but moved around quite a bit before settling in Chester in 2018. I moved to Connecticut for work after grad school, which is where I met my husband. We relocated to California for his job for a few years & then moved back east to start our family. We now have 2 kids, a dog & a cat. I joined Juniors as a way to get more involved in the community & have already made some amazing friends along the way!
KYLEIGH VON DOHLEN
Member, 2015
I was born and spent much of my life in Morris County, however, I’ve lived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and California. My husband and I made Mendham our home in 2012. I was working as a math teacher at a special needs high school before deciding to stay home with our two children. I strongly believe in fostering a compassionate and caring community and feel WMJWC is an organization filled with women who hold the same ideals. I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve discovered here and look forward to continuing our service to our wonderful community.
ARIANA BATH
Member, 2021
Born and raised in Queens, New York, moving to Morris County to raise our family just made sense. With great schools and of course, great food, it instantly felt like home! My husband, Mike, daughters (ages 9, 6, & 4) and I, settled into our home in Randolph, NJ in February 2021. In March, 2021 I joined the WMJWC and have gained an amazing group of friends! The club has given me the opportunity to work with local charities on a personal level, which I am so grateful for. I have also been able to get my creative juices flowing as the Director of Membership as well as participating in some of the many committees throughout the year. Helping to plan these events has been so much fun and I am looking forward to many more great moments with these very special people.
MEGAN MCCARTHY
Member, 2015
I joined Juniors to connect with other local moms who shared an interest in community service. I was grateful to find WMJWC because it enabled me to give back to our community and form lasting friendships. It is always easier to accomplish anything with the help of others, but it is even better when you enjoy the company and have deep respect for the people on your team. We are a diverse group of women from various backgrounds, professions, interests, and talents come together to help others.
ALEXIS LAUFER
Member, 2018
I live in Chester with my two daughters, Sienna (8) and Madison (7). I grew up in this wonderful town and after going to college in Virginia and living in Hoboken during law school, moved back here to start a family. I work full-time as a Family Law attorney in Morristown. I am very passionate about my career, but have always tried to create a work-life balance by being an involved mother and giving back to our wonderful community. I joined the Juniors in 2018 and currently serve on the Exec Board as Vice President. One of the things I love about our club is that we constantly have new members join who are each extraordinary, talented women with new ideas to contribute to our organization, and who quickly become close friends. My favorite events are Derby Day, Spring into Success, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Luminaries & Mother’s Day fundraisers. We are always looking for new members so please consider joining!
MELISSA PAYNE
Member, 2019
I moved to Mendham with my husband, Tony, our two kids, Cole (17) and Ethan (15), and our 3 dogs, Bailey, Maggie and Nicki, in June of 2018. I am originally from Florida but have lived all over the US in North Carolina, Colorado, Georgia, Connecticut and now New Jersey. I am a full-time working mom who enjoys serving the community whenever I have free time. As a family, we enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing/kayaking/paddle boarding and biking. My true passion is traveling which I have been lucky enough to get to do for both work and pleasure. I joined the Juniors in 2019 and have really enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community with a group of great women.
DONNA PIERSON
Member, 2018
I am happy to be raising my family in the burbs with my NJ born husband at my side. As a full-time working mom, WMJWC allows me an opportunity to meet other local moms, to plant roots in the community, and to set an example for my children about the importance of helping others. I am originally from the Caribbean, and lived in Brooklyn for many years until getting married and moving to Manhattan. In 2017, pregnant with my youngest child, we moved our family from the "Big Apple" to Mendham, NJ.
LIZA SAUNDERS
Member, 2020
I was born and raised in New York City. My husband, Greg, was raised here in Mendham on his family's farm. We lived in Madison when we first moved to NJ in 2007 with our daughter. It was only a few years later we were buying the family homestead, and have been enjoying country life ever since. I work full time as a Sales Agent at Turpin Real Estate's Mendham office. I joined the WMJWC during the Covid pandemic because I had loved the Luminary fundraiser they organized during the holidays. I ended up serving as the Co-Chair for Luminaries in 2021 and was truly overjoyed to work with such a wonderful group of women. I have been privileged to work as a Judge on the Halloween Poster Contest for Chester/Mendham elementary schools, and at the WMJMC 26th Annual Spelling Bee for the middle schoolers. Serving the seniors their St. Patrick's Day lunch was such a fun event; but my favorite event might be the Mother's Day Baskets fundraiser where we create surprise gift baskets for the moms currently residing at JBWS in Morristown.
NADJA SPRINGER
Member, 2022
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about Germany? If you screamed “Dirndl, bread and beer”, I’ll happily tell you that I have never worn the first, know how to make the second from scratch and will pretend to know everything about the third.
Born and raised in Germany, I moved to the US in 2018 and relocated to Mendham in 2021 where I live with my three children, one husband and numerous animals. When I’m not translating, writing books or tutoring German, you will find me upcycling furniture or painting walls. Being part of the WMJWC means being part of a wonderful group of women with a shared love for helping others - which is just what I’ve been looking for.