Ann Strootman

President

Ann moved to New Jersey in 2005 from Pennsylvania when she took a job in Finance with Merrill Lynch. Ann joined Newcomers & Friends in 2016 when she decided to stop working; NC&Fs became a real godsend in helping Ann expand her network beyond work colleagues. She has stayed with the group because of her many warm friendships. Ann loves the outdoors and participates in most of the walking, hiking and touring Interest Groups.

Frances Prestianni

Programs VP

The Great Decisions Interest Group brought Frances to Newcomers and Friends since she wanted to build her understanding of international affairs. Since joining in 2020, she has found other opportunities to expand her knowledge and to meet interesting people. Frances is a long time resident of central New Jersey and retired from State Government where she was involved with developing reports on health care quality. Before the pandemic, she enjoyed spending lots of time at the gym especially with tai chi and yoga.

Sara Albers

Membership VP

Sara is originally from Minnesota. She and her family moved to New Jersey in 2018 after living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Formerly a teacher, she is a mom of two boys; a freshman in college and a sophomore in high school. Sara enjoys walking, knitting, traveling, and cheering on her favorite hockey team. Newcomers has been a wonderful way to meet friends, get to know the surrounding area and try new things. Sara participates in the Teen Talk group, Pins and Needles, Walking and Hiking Groups and hopes to enjoy more time being together this year.

Colette Plank

Social VP

Colette is a fitness instructor in Pennington. She enjoys Pickleball and getting together with friends. She is originally from the UK and has been in the US for 16 years. She moved to the area from Cincinnati 7 years ago. Colette is married with 2 daughters, a Junior in College and the other just graduated and is working in the NYC. The family also includes 1 cat and 2 dogs. Upon moving to NJ, Colette joined Newcomers and Friends as it was a great way to meet new people. NC&Fs has a lot of great groups with interesting events. She is really looking forward to being able to get together again in person with new friends.

Gordana Sirota

Interest Groups VP

Gordana moved to the Princeton area from Queens, NY, and joined Newcomers to enjoy the company of its dynamic and diverse members. Sharing experiences and learning from one another is a delight to her. Learning languages and traveling the world as well as our local region are Gordana's great passions.

Ginger Greenzang

Marketing/Communications VP

Ginger moved to the Princeton Area in 1995 from Philadelphia. She has three children, two in college and a recent college graduate who is preparing for grad school. Ginger works with her husband at their Philadelphia based real estate and property management company. Ginger was introduced to the Newcomers and Friends through a couple friends who are members. They encouraged her to join them in the Teen Talk interest group. Since joining, Ginger has enjoyed participating in Teen Talk, the Hiking group, a walking group and Pickleball and looks forward to participating in many more interest groups.

Lisa Megaro

Treasurer

Lisa and her husband moved to the Princeton area twelve years ago and it was then that she discovered and joined Newcomers & Friends. Over the past twelve years, Lisa has made many friends and special connections through Newcomers. She has also been an Interest Group leader for Lunch Bunch, Spontaneous Events, Adventures in Dining and Broadway Bound.

Melissa Davis

Recording Secretary

Melissa joined Newcomers and Friends after living in the area for eleven years. She enjoys tennis, games and traveling in her free time. She’s a novice cook and gardener who enjoys the Home Cookin’ and Hands On In the Garden groups.

Jeanne Johnson

Past President/Parliamentarian

Jeanne joined NCF in 2009 after moving from Chicago where she enjoyed a career in music performance, teaching, and coaching. Currently she chairs the Great Artists Interest Group of Newcomers which studies great artists in-depth and was president of Newcomers 2021-2022.

Her love of art has flourished as she is a docent at Princeton U. Art Museum and a docent at Morven Museum and Garden. Her other interests are travel and gardening. Jeanne and her husband have three married sons living in Seattle, Philadelphia, and Chicago and four grandsons.