Our Team
Ginger Smith, MSW
Founder & Executive Director
With thirty years of experience in the social services, divided between program development, fundraising, and direct practice, Ginger has the experience, drive, and successful track record to grow SOAR Together to become a leading collaborator in the movement to end epidemic levels of loneliness in Fairfield County. From her early career as an urban community organizer to Directing the 9/11 Relief Program for The Children’s Aid Society in NYC to decades of fundraising for cancer patients, Ginger has committed her career to building sustainable programs and changing life outcomes.
An honors graduate of Dartmouth College and All-American athlete in two sports, Ginger received a Master of Social Work degree from Boston University. After many years of triathlon/ultramarathon racing, Ginger posted a final win at the Lake Placid Marathon in June 2022 after a breast cancer diagnosis, hanging up her racing shoes and turning all energies to social connection. Ginger’s resilience to overcome is a trademark and fierce advocacy alongside and on behalf of those facing life challenges comes from an unbridled place of deep faith.
In her words: "I have experienced highs and lows like so many others and implicitly know loneliness and social isolation. What I also know is that to heal a wound of any size we must have the faith and courage to persevere and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We can tackle this epidemic if we approach it one gesture of kindness, one smile, one connection at a time."
Christie Thompson, M.Ed.
Operations Director
Christie Thompson joined SOAR's team with deep experience in both classroom settings and leadership positions in local service organizations, immediately taking on the tall task of overseeing flower rescue, volunteer, and event logistics.
Christie received her undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of California, San Diego before she began teaching middle school in San Francisco, eventually educating teachers in effective reading strategies. She continued her education, earning her Master's of Education from San Francisco State University, with a focus on Literacy. After a move to Connecticut, Christie took on leadership positions in Ridgefield's PTA, National Charity League, and Lion's Heart over the past two decades. A life long educator, Christie currently works in the Ridgefield Public Schools.
Christie's combined strengths in logistics and volunteer management, coupled with her signature compassionate nature, make her the perfect fit for SOAR's unique programming needs and mission of uplifting others.
In her words: “I am honored and overjoyed to join SOAR at this juncture, to bring my skills and passion together as we keep growing this mission of deep connection."
Judith Panthauer, LCSW
Flower Power Program Manager
Judith Panthauer brings decades of expertise in both social services and floral design to SOAR Together, joining the team in 2024 to help oversee our growing Flower Power program across Fairfield County.
Judith was an undergraduate major in psychology and sociology, and from there she earned a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University. As a clinical social worker, she had a long and meaningful career working with individuals and families in a variety of settings, from mental health centers to schools, and ultimately, into years of private practice.
Always a flower enthusiast who surrounds herself with flowers, Judith began taking classes in floral design from experts in the field which led to recent work in the floral industry in Fairfield County. SOAR’s mission to help end loneliness fits perfectly with Judith’s passionate belief in the joy that flowers bring to people and the ways in which creating and gifting bouquets help bring people closer to one another.
In her words: “This is a dream come true to be part of a program that weaves together my love of flowers and my desire to enrich people’s lives.”
Diana Herrara
Flower Power Program Manager
Diana Herrera joined SOAR in search of finding connection within her community. With relevant experience as a florist, Diana jumped on the opportunities to support the Flower Power programs in Norwalk and surrounding towns. When she is not volunteering with SOAR Together, she is growing her small florist business from her own home in South Norwalk.
Diana’s love of flowers and community engagement stems from her natural sciences and sociology studies at Cornell University. After graduating, she continued her biochemistry and infectious disease research as a lab technician at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. After leaving 8 years of academic research, Diana’s curiosity led her to pursue Mortgage Banking at Rocket Mortgage.
Today, Diana focuses her full attention on using her business, Diana Margarette Bouquets, as a vehicle to bring more smiles through flowers to Norwalk. After being in business since March 2024, Diana revels in the opportunity to increase her contributions to SOAR as she grows her own business in parallel with the same values.
In her words: ““I am overjoyed to have finally found an organization that aligns with how I want to be contributing to my community. I hope to keep spreading the joy in Norwalk and surrounding areas however I can, and SOAR has given me a perfect opportunity to do so.”"
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