Today we’d like to introduce you to Susanne Reilly.
Hi Susanne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m an organizational psychologist by training and have spent my career working with individuals, teams, and organizations to enhance performance and effectiveness—focusing on how leadership decisions, culture, and structure come together in practice. In recent years, I’ve stepped back from full-time corporate roles to focus more selectively on advisory work, while also bringing that experience into community-based leadership.
My involvement with The Woman’s Club of Morristown (WCOMT) began as a member, drawn to its long-standing tradition of sisterhood, service, and community impact. Founded in 1910, the Club has been an important part of Morristown’s civic fabric, but it was at an inflection point—rich in history, yet in need of modernization to remain relevant.
As President, I approached it the same way I would any complex organization. Working closely with our Board and leadership team, we strengthened the foundation first—updating bylaws, improving financial discipline, and implementing more structured operating practices—then turned our focus to growth and engagement.
In serving our members, that work has translated into a more vibrant and accessible organization. Membership has grown by more than 28% year over year, engagement has increased, and we’ve welcomed more than 2,000 visitors through our doors in the past year. We also secured a $350,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust to support renovations of our historic clubhouse.
What’s been most meaningful is helping to share that WCOMT is not just a historic institution, but an active, working organization of women committed to making a difference—grounded in our mission, and operating with the clarity and momentum needed to thrive well into the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any organization, WCOMT has been faced with real-world constraints: budgets, resources, people. What makes our Club unique is that we are fully volunteer-run, with no paid staff. While that is something we are proud of, it also means everything depends on people’s time, energy, capability, and willingness to step in.
A lot of our challenges come down to balance—making progress and living our mission while being mindful that everyone has full lives outside of the Club. At times, it really has felt like we are fixing the airplane while it is in the air.
We’ve had to be thoughtful about where to focus, what matters most, and how to keep people engaged without asking too much. As President, that’s something I’m always calibrating.
What’s made the difference? A strong group of committed members who care deeply about WCOMT and are willing to show up, every time. With that, we’ve been able to keep moving forward in a way that feels steady and sustainable.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Woman’s Club of Morristown (WCOMT) is a nonprofit organization centered on community service, civic engagement, and preservation. For more than 115 years, our mission has been to bring women together to make a meaningful impact locally—through volunteerism, philanthropy, preservation, and programs that support the greater Morristown community.
A key part of that work is stewardship of our historic clubhouse, The Dr. Lewis Condict House. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, we own and maintain the building ourselves, and preserving it is an important part of our responsibility. It’s not just a historic structure—it’s a working clubhouse where we hold our meetings, host fundraisers, deliver programs, and welcome visitors and the community for events and gatherings. We are proud to be fully run by volunteers.
Our work is service-oriented at its core. WCOMT supports local charities, funds scholarships for students, and hosts a range of educational, cultural, and community programs. We also open our doors for cultural events and gatherings, creating a space where people can connect, contribute, learn, and be part of something larger.
What sets WCOMT apart is that combination of history, independence, and purpose. We’ve been part of Morristown for generations, but we remain a hands-on, working club—true to our mission while continuing to evolve and thrive.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is that WCOMT feels active and welcoming, whether you are a member, visitor, volunteer, or connected to our work in the community.
I think of the Club as a connector and a catalyst—a place where people can come together and turn ideas into action. Because WCOMT is independent and not tied to any single cause or association, we are able to bridge across different groups, support a wide range of initiatives, and create opportunities that might not happen otherwise.
What’s important is that people feel comfortable getting involved, can contribute their talents in a way that fits them, and get something meaningful in return—whether that’s learning something new, meeting others, or being part of work that has real impact.
At its best, WCOMT is both a place people enjoy being and a place where things actually happen—and that balance is what matters most to me.
Pricing:
- Annual Membership Dues $75.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wcomt.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womansclubofmorristown/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552970017661
