Jackson Center Staff
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.
Tina Downey
Director of Development
Director of Development
tdowney@roberthjackson.org
Tina Downey was appointed Director of Development in the spring of 2022 to oversee the Center's development activities and to facilitate and coordinate the strategic direction of its fundraising efforts.
Having served in leadership roles across the nonprofit sector for over 20+ years, Tina’s primary areas of responsibility include advancing the Center’s annual fund campaign as well as strengthening its major gift and endowment programs. She is responsible for growing a network of local, national and international relationships and working with partners and supporters to help bring Justice Jackson’s values and outlook to a wider audience.
Downey previously served Chautauqua Institution as its Director of the Chautauqua Fund. She currently serves on the board of Audubon Community Nature Center and previously served on the board of Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity.
Tina lives in Mayville with her husband, Ray, and their daughters Evelyn and Aster.
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
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
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
