Jackson Center Staff

Kristan McMahon

President

kmcmahon@roberthjackson.org

Kristan McMahon has served as President of the Robert H. Jackson Center since April 2019. McMahon is a former principal with Vetted Solutions, an executive search firm specializing in association and nonprofit recruiting and consulting in Washington D.C. where she helped guide a transformational process for the company’s executive searches. Previously, McMahon was corporate counsel for Verizon in Arlington, VA where she advised all business entities on a variety of antitrust issues, including deal analysis and compliance with antitrust/competition laws. Before joining Verizon, McMahon served as a Staff Attorney for Howrey LLP, where she was part of the antitrust team leading government investigations and litigations for numerous global Fortune 500 companies.

McMahon received a B.A. in Journalism/Mass Communication and Political Science at Saint Bonaventure University, a J.D. from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and a Certificate from the Communications Law Institute of the Columbus School of Law for her special studies in Communications Law.

Elizabeth Hosier

Director of Programs

ehosier@roberthjackson.org

Elizabeth Hosier as the Center's inaugural Director of Programs, responsible for designing and curating educational programs, workshops, lectures, and events in alignment with the Center’s mission of promoting of democracy and human rights though Jackson's life and principles. This includes identifying target audiences, tailoring programs to meet their needs, overseeing event logistics, and monitoring performance.

A native of Panama, New York, Elizabeth graduated from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Adolescent Education and earned a Master of Science in Adolescent Literacy at St. Bonaventure University.

She is the former Director of Visitor Experience at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum near Pittsburgh and saw the organization through a period of change, moving to a new 21,000 square foot space full of new exhibits and programming. Her professional career started at the historic educational institutions of Mount Vernon and Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s home at Montpelier in northern Virginia.

We are always interested in hearing your ideas for programs. Reach Elizabeth at ehosier@roberthjackson.org or (716) 483-6646.

David Niles

Director of Development

dniles@roberthjackson.org

David is responsible for planning and directing the Center’s fundraising, including the Center’s Annual Fund, major gifts, capital campaigns, and sponsorships.

A Jamestown native, Niles pursued acting in New York City’s live performance community before finding a niche in high-end event production. Since returning to Chautauqua County in 2020, he has served as Program Director, and then Advancement Director, at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. During his tenure at RTPI, Niles drove significant growth in attendance, membership, and annual fund contributions.

You can reach him at dniles@roberthjackson.org or (716) 483-6646.

Sheryl “Sherry” Schutter

Office Manager

sschutter@roberthjackson.org

Sherry is a Jamestown native, who spent a long stretch in New England. She is excited to be back in beautiful Chautauqua County and part of the Jackson Center team. Sherry’s greatest accomplishments are her two sons; Tod and Alex and loves the laughter they bring to her life. Sherry attended Jamestown schools and Becker College. She enjoys cooking, reading, and discovering all that this crazy path called life has in store.

Board

Julia Craighill

Chair of the Board of Directors

President
Ensight Consulting

Sam Morgante

Vice Chair

Consultant
Government Relations Advisory Services

Andrew Neyman, CPA

Secretary & Treasurer

Partner
Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner

Arthur N. Bailey, Esq.

Director

Partner
Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham

John Q. Barrett

Director

Benjamin N. Cardozo Professor of Law
St. John's University School of Law
Elizabeth S. Lenna Fellow

Lana Benatovitch

Director

Former President, National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York

Katherine Burgeson

Director

Former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Ingevity Corporation

Honorable Stephen W. Cass

Director

Surrogate's Court
Chautauqua County

Charles H. Gustafson

Director

Professor Emeritus
Georgetown Law

Michael E. Hill

Director

President
Chautauqua Institution

John I. LaMancuso, Esq.

Director

Partner
Lewis & Lewis, P.C.

Jessie K. Liu, Esq.

Director

Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Christopher T. Olsen, Esq.

Director

Partner
Olsen & Brueggemann, APC

Larry D. Thompson

Director

Former Deputy Attorney General of the U.S.
Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, PepsiCo (Retired)

Leah Weinberg, CFP®, CDFA®

Director

Vice President
Weinberg Financial Group

Donald Wertman

Director

Retired COO
Seedway, LLC

Carl Cappa

Co-Founder

Gregory L. Peterson, Esq.

Co-Founder, Former Director

Of Counsel
Phillips Lytle LLP

Elizabeth Lenna

Co-Founder, Former Director