Martha Anderson, Michael Griffin, Mary Jo Saunders and Susanne von der Linde Join the Madison Area YMCA Board of Directors

The Madison Area YMCA is pleased to announce that Y members and community leaders Martha Anderson, Michael Griffin, Mary Jo Saunders and Susanne von der Linde have joined its Board of Directors. Ms. Anderson and Ms. von der Linde served previously on the Board.

“I’m delighted that Martha and Susanne are returning to the Board, and welcome Michael and Mary Jo,” said Madison Area YMCA President & CEO Diane Mann. “Their collective experience in addition to their unique talents and community service experience will enhance the leadership that is characteristic of all of our Board members.”

Martha Anderson, a Madison resident, served on the Madison Area YMCA Board of Directors from 2004 to 2013. Since leaving the Board, she has continued to serve on the Y’s Board & Leadership Development Committee and has remained an active Y member. Ms. Anderson has been a long-time volunteer leader in the Madison schools, serving on the PTO and various district committees and more recently as Board Trustee and Grant Committee Co-Chair for the Madison Education Foundation.

Ms. Anderson is currently a Library Assistant at the Madison Public Library. Earlier in her career, she practiced law in Milwaukee, WI. Ms. Anderson and her husband, Steve, are parents to three young adults, Jack, Elizabeth and Tommy.

Michael Griffin is a managing director in Private Banking at J.P. Morgan. In his role, Mr. Griffin is responsible for advising ultra high net worth individuals, foundations and senior executives on a range of financial matters including asset allocation, portfolio construction, and multi-asset class portfolios.

Mr. Griffin holds a B.A. in Finance from Loyola University Maryland and an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University. He lives in Madison with his wife and three children.

Mary Jo Saunders, a Morristown resident and active YMCA member, retired after directing the private special education Banyan School in Fairfield, NJ, for more than ten years. She currently serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care. She is also active in her summer community in Maine, serving on the Frye Island Planning Board, as treasurer of the Frye Island Recreation Committee and volunteering at Camp Sunshine, which provides respite for families of children suffering from life threatening diseases.

In the past, Ms. Saunders has served on the Interfaith Council for the Homeless, as secretary of the New Jersey Association of Special Education Schools and on the College of St. Elizabeth Advisory Board.

She and her husband, Mike, have three adult children: Kristen, Michael and Patrick who participated in YMCA youth programs including soccer, basketball and swimming. They also have six grandchildren.

Susanne von der Linde, a Madison resident for almost 30 years, has been an active member of the Madison Area YMCA and other community organizations. Ms. von der Linde served on the Madison Area YMCA's Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2015, chaired its Board and Leadership Development Committee and served as a team captain for the Y’s Annual Campaign. She has continued to be involved as a member of both the Board and Leadership Development Committee and the Community Mental Health Initiative.

Previously, Ms. von der Linde was extensively involved with the Madison School District serving on several district committees, initiatives and projects and participating in Parent Teacher Organizations at Madison High School, Madison Junior School and Kings Road School. She also spent many years working with the YMCA and Madison soccer programs. She currently volunteers with Impact 100 Garden State and the Tie One On local breast cancer awareness organization.

Prior to leaving her professional life to raise her family, Ms. von der Linde was the Director of Benefits for Brooks Brothers in New York. She is married to Edward von der Linde, a partner at Linde, Hansen & Co. in Florham Park. They have three adult children: Alex, Jason and Katie.