Jackson Center Staff
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Kristan McMahon
President
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.
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Elizabeth Hosier
Director of Programs
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.
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David Niles
Director of Development
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.
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Sheryl “Sherry” Schutter
Office Manager
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
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Julia Craighill
Chair of the Board of Directors
President
Ensight Consulting
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Sam Morgante
Vice Chair
Consultant
Government Relations Advisory Services
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Andrew Neyman, CPA
Secretary & Treasurer
Partner
Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner
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Arthur N. Bailey, Esq.
Director
Partner
Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham
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John Q. Barrett
Director
Benjamin N. Cardozo Professor of Law
St. John's University School of Law
Elizabeth S. Lenna Fellow
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Lana Benatovitch
Director
Former President, National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York
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Katherine Burgeson
Director
Former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Ingevity Corporation
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Honorable Stephen W. Cass
Director
Surrogate's Court
Chautauqua County
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Charles H. Gustafson
Director
Professor Emeritus
Georgetown Law
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Michael E. Hill
Director
President
Chautauqua Institution
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John I. LaMancuso, Esq.
Director
Partner
Lewis & Lewis, P.C.
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Jessie K. Liu, Esq.
Director
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Christopher T. Olsen, Esq.
Director
Partner
Olsen & Brueggemann, APC
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Larry D. Thompson
Director
Former Deputy Attorney General of the U.S.
Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, PepsiCo (Retired)
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Leah Weinberg, CFP®, CDFA®
Director
Vice President
Weinberg Financial Group
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Donald Wertman
Director
Retired COO
Seedway, LLC
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Carl Cappa
Co-Founder
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Gregory L. Peterson, Esq.
Co-Founder, Former Director
Of Counsel
Phillips Lytle LLP
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