Forums Institute Staff

Linda Mather, President
email: lmather@forumsinstitute.org
Linda Mather is founding chief executive officer of Forums Institute. As such, she provides the day-to-day management and strategic guidance of a nonprofit leader. She also offers the expertise of a Professional Facilitator certified by the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). Dr. Mather has worked as an independent consultant and with the Board Member Institute as a trainer for nonprofits in areas including board development, board staff relationships, strategic planning and leadership. She has served as interim dean of the School of Arts and Communication at William Paterson College and as associate director at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education. She has also consulted for the Kellogg Foundation, the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Eleanor Newton, Director
email: enewton@forumsinstitute.org
Eleanor Newton specializes in conflict resolution, facilitation and training for nonprofits, unions and government agencies. She was an academic ombudsman for eight years, and prior to that was in workforce development with AT&T and Communication Workers of America. She was trained as a psychologist, worked in community mental health in New Jersey and Texas, and taught at the college level. Ms. Newton received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in counseling psychology and has served on several national boards and community task forces.

Joan Kaspin, Director
email: jkaspin@forumsinstitute.org
Joan Kaspin is responsible for the human resources, development and accounting functions at Forums Institute. She has extensive consulting experience assisting non-profits to resolve human resources problems and issues. She has also worked as a corporate compensation manager and analyst. Ms. Kaspin taught human resources management at State University of New York at Utica. She received a B.S. in accounting, as well as an M.B.A. and Ph.D. both in human resources management from Syracuse University.