One word describes Nola Hansen more aptly than any other – and that word is community.  From years of involvement in her kids’ schools and activities, to a love for her tight-knit neighborhood, and a key operational role at Ross Farm, she brings a warmth and enthusiasm to every cause and person lucky enough to be in her Basking Ridge orbit.

The BTDC now calls Hansen their own as she recently became an associate rep and official member of the McCarthy & Bannan campaign’s “ground team” – a group responsible for campaign signage, canvassing and more. She’s enjoyed knocking on doors in the past, and most recently did so for CD-7 candidate Rebecca Bennett and Governor Mikie Sherrill. (Fun fact: her eldest son, Nick, was a young BTDC rep while attending Rutgers about ten years ago.)

Nola’s keen eye toward politics is born from early work as a journalist and a few years working for Glenn Poshard, her Illinois congressman, when she was in her twenties. Her parents also inspired her involvement. As a child, she witnessed them working with local politicians to build a school for the deaf to accommodate her hearing-impaired sister. Nola’s work brought her to Washington, DC where she met her husband, Tim.

The Hansens eventually made their way from DC to New Jersey, where they raised three sons through the Bernards public school system. Nola supported the boys’ participation in the Ridge Marching Band, Forensics and more. She became acquainted with Ross Farm when Nick volunteered there as a seventh grader to earn service hours. Fast forward more than a decade and she’s now a Trustee and leads the non-profit’s music committee. “We’re beginning our twelfth season now!” she beams. “We start with Jazz Fest May 9 and go through the season with eight different events. I’m especially excited about our new female-centric EmpowHer programming set for July 18.”

Local spirit means everything to Hansen. “I love the people I work with at Ross Farm, our pocket of neighbors who help each other out. We are so fortunate to live here,” she says. Nola also relishes the fact that Bernards’ Progressive Women’s Group continues to grow and feels likeminded people will help keep local government moving forward in all the right ways. “I can’t sit here and do nothing,” she insists. “I enjoy meeting people, especially other townspeople and have to do something to help.”

That, she is doing in spades.

– Jen Aaron