JSDD Leadership
JSDD’s Board of Trustees and professional staff have defined the highest of quality as measured, not only through their concern for health, safety and compliance, but with an eye towards true quality of life.
Linda Press, M.A.
Executive Director
Linda Press, M.A.
Executive Director
Ms. Press has an MA degree from George Washington University in Early Childhood Special Education and is a certified teacher in the State of NJ. She has been working providing services to individuals with special needs for nearly 40 years, first as a teacher of children with severe and profound disabilities and then as a Coordinator of an Early Intervention Program and Preschool.
Her experiences also include Behaviorist for ARC of Essex, Family Support Coordinator for The Spina Bifida Association of NJ and Special Needs Director of JCC MetroWest prior to assuming the position of Executive Director of JSDD in 2001.
Ellen Goldner
President
Ellen Goldner
President
For decades, Ellen Goldner has been an active leader on behalf of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, its predecessors, and other community causes. She served as campaign chair and president of Women’s Department, and she was founding president of the Partnership for Jewish Learning and Life. She chaired the UJA Campaign and was the first woman to hold the position of president (2002-05) at the MetroWest federation.
Aubrie George
WAE Center Director
Aubrie George
WAE Center Director
Aubrie studied at Montclair State University where she graduated with a BA in Sociology and dual minors in Anthropology and International Studies. She holds a MA in Counseling - Student Affairs/ Higher Education and has also completed post-graduate coursework in Art Therapy. Prior work experiences include the role of Assistant Director of Advising and Coaching at Bloomfield College; she also worked at Montclair State University in the Department of Graduate Admissions. This diverse educational and professional background informs Aubrie’s world view and belief in the potential of people to grow and thrive with the right opportunities.
In 2014, Aubrie began her work at the WAE Center in program development, working with facilitators to craft quality curriculum for an ever-changing environment of learners. Her love for and proficiency in this work led to her subsequent move into the role of Associate Director and, ultimately, the Director’s role in July 2020.
Aubrie finds this work to be complex and fulfilling, as it allows her to work with and for people to achieve and thrive in a holistic environment. The human experience is her passion and the WAE Center philosophy is a perfect fit in its focus on Finding the Spark Within. The unique creative environment of JSDD’s WAE Center is the force which makes this work so compelling and gratifying.