Kristan McMahon

After an extensive national search, the Robert H. Jackson Center has named a new president.

On Thursday, center officials announced Kristan McMahon as the new president. She follows Tom Schmidt who has been the interim president since Susan Murphy left the post last May.

McMahon joins the Jackson Center after nearly 20 years as a practicing attorney and brings experience in the nonprofit and association sector. Some of her most recent work is the diversity and inclusion guidance she provided to nonprofits and associations during the last two years. She also brings significant nonprofit board experience from national and regional organizations.

Recently, McMahon was principal of Vetted Solutions, a Washington, D.C., company focused on providing executive search solutions as well as diversity and inclusion and succession planning guidance to associations and nonprofits across the United States. Prior to that, McMahon was counsel-antitrust for Verizon and a staff attorney with Howrey.

“Justice Jackson’s values and guidance are just as relevant today as they were when he served as Solicitor General, Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice or chief prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials,” McMahon said. “He began as a successful lawyer in the Jamestown community and became a voice of conscience on the national and international stages. His commitment to social justice and civil liberties serve as a reminder for a world calling out for those qualities today. I am honored to work with our board, volunteers, and partners to ensure his wisdom continues to expand its reach.”

McMahon is a 1997 graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a 2000 graduate of The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. She serves on the boards of Youth For Understanding, Sitar Arts Center and American Association of University Women, Falls Church, Va., branch. She previously served as a member of St. Bonaventure University’s Board of Trustees and as president of St. Bonaventure’s National Alumni Association Board.

“We are very excited that Kristan is taking on the role of president of the Jackson Center,” said Schmidt, chair of the Jackson Center board. “She brings a clear vision and an exceptional combination of energy, leadership and a legal background. We expect that Kristan will be able to continue and grow our excellent programming, but also work with partners and donors to help bring Justice Jackson’s values and message to a wider audience. The Board of Directors is looking forward to establishing a strong working relationship with Kristan as she moves into this new role.”

The Jackson Center is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty under law through the examination of the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson and its relevance to current events and issues. McMahon was selected to lead the center’s dedicated team of professionals while growing the scope, reach and value of the organization to its local, regional, national partners, the Jamestown community, donors and sponsors, volunteers and other stakeholders.

“We are excited to welcome Kristan to the Jackson Center family,” said Leah Weinberg, search committee and board member. “She is a true visionary and will move the center forward in meaningful ways.”

McMahon will start in her role as president on April 29.