Meet the Manny Cantor Center Leadership Team
Jamie Davidson Craig
Jamie Davidson Craig is a seasoned educator and organizational leader. She founded New York City Charter School of the Arts in the fall of 2016, establishing the first arts-based charter middle school in Manhattan. Prior to founding her school, Jamie worked as a curriculum specialist and reading teacher at Charter Schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Jamie earned her BA in Comparative Literature from Barnard College with New York State certification in Secondary ELA, and completed a Master’s degree in Language and Literacy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She proudly serves on the board of Project Basta, whose mission is to create a bridge of opportunity between employers and first-generation college-goers.
Roxy Lane
For the past 19 years, Roxy Lane has worked in education, communications, marketing, and program leadership at Educational Alliance, where she currently serves as Associate Executive Director of Programs at Manny Cantor Center. She began her career as an early childhood teacher helping to bring a progressive curriculum to the Parenting Center at The 14th Street Y. Roxy studied gender and politics at CUNY’s Hunter College where she was president of the Queer Student Union and active in community theatre. When not at MCC, Roxy enjoys yoga, meeting new dogs, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Christine Dey
As the Director of the Co-op Village NORC, Christine Dey brings over 15 years of experience in the field of social work serving diverse communities in need. Prior to working at the Manny Cantor Center, Christine was the Director of Social Services at Hudson Guild, a multi-service organization located in Chelsea.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Christine holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the Silberman School of Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from York University, Toronto. In her spare time, you’ll find Christine engaged in some form of creating art.
Evan Hagan
Evan Hagan, an accomplished Ceramist, Illustrator, and Educator with nearly two decades of experience in the arts, has left his mark on various national and international exhibitions, including juried shows and private collections.
Evan’s artistic journey began at 15 as an apprentice at The Peoria Art Guild in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois. After a two-year apprenticeship, he continued his exploration of various artistic disciplines in college, delving into illustration, sculpture, mold making and casting, printmaking, photography, and his lifelong passion — ceramics.
Sharing his wealth of knowledge and skills, Evan has served as an educator in community centers, public schools, and outdoor education centers across the U.S. and internationally. His teaching philosophy revolves around experiential education, empowering students to take ownership of their learning, set and achieve creative goals, and cultivate a genuine interest in expressing themselves artistically.
Currently, Evan Hagan holds the position of Director at the Educational Alliance Art School on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. His journey with the school began in the ceramics studio, initially as an instructor. Swiftly climbing the ranks to Studio Manager and Assistant Director, Evan now brings his distinctive creativity, unwavering dedication, and innovative spirit to enhance and refine the programs offered by the Educational Alliance Art School.
As the Director, Evan not only oversees the artistic endeavors within the institution but also spearheads initiatives to improve and expand the school’s offerings. Under his guidance, the Educational Alliance Art School has evolved into a hub of creativity and learning, continuing its legacy as a historic institution on the Lower East Side.
Martha Lee
Martha Lee is the Senior Director of Early Childhood at The Manny Cantor Center. She has been working in education for over two decades with the majority of her experience in early childhood education. She feels passionate about educational justice and high quality early childhood education for all students.
Martha started her career as a speech-language pathologist and has been working various roles in educational administration for the past 15 years. Prior to coming to EA@MCC, she was with the Department of Education working to support schools that provide specialized services to students and subsequently in special education administration.
Martha earned her BS from Northwestern University, MA from University of Colorado, Boulder and her School Building Leader and School District Leader advanced certification from Hunter College. Martha lives in Chelsea and is the proud mother of three teenagers: one two-legged and two four-legged. She can be found baking, cooking, or forest bathing in her free time.
Jana Luttrell, LCSW-R
Jana Luttrell is the Senior Director at the Family Resource Center, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Jana is a highly skilled Clinical Social Worker with an impressive career spanning over two decades. For the past 15 years, she has been deeply committed to community mental health, making a significant impact in this field.
Her previous leadership role involved overseeing a community mental health treatment program known as ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) for an impressive five-year tenure. This program primarily catered to the dynamic and diverse community of New York City’s Lower East Side. Jana’s return to this community fills her with joy and a sense of homecoming. Her professional toolkit is enriched with a variety of therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Jana’s approach to leadership is firmly grounded in a trauma-informed lens, allowing her to deeply understand the unique journeys that have led individuals to their current circumstances. Jana’s core belief centers on the importance of fostering connection, support, and inspiration in the lives of those she serves. She firmly holds the conviction that the Family Resource Center can serve as that essential place for everyone, where they can find the resources and encouragement needed to live their best lives.
Xiomara Maldonado
Xiomara (SEE-oh-MAH-RAH) Maldonado is best known for her unabated love of her native Lower East Side, her penchant for poetry, and her energetic presence, which is often revealed by her recognizable laugh. During her free time, she loves to read books, eat delicious food, and play board games with her husband and two children.
The daughter of Nuyorican parents, Xiomara graduated from Barnard College-Columbia University and has dedicated her life to pursuing social justice through a career in nonprofits. As a child, Xiomara practiced martial arts and created ceramics at Educational Alliance and, many years later, gladly enrolled her youngest child in its early childhood program.
Inspired by the dedication and compassion of the agency’s employees, she accepted a position at the Weinberg Center for Balanced Living in 2013 and then transitioned to the Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, where she has enthusiastically led its innovative programming and important advocacy efforts for the past six years. “I am so excited to return to the Manny Cantor Center as the Senior Director of Older Adult Programs,” she says. “In spite of the challenges wrought by the pandemic, I believe that we can move into the future with joy, creativity, and hope. I look forward to connecting with you!”
Tiana Morrison, LMSW
Tiana Morrison is a native New Yorker who has developed strong roots in the Lower East Side. She is a seasoned professional in the fields of social work, youth development, and nonprofit management, with a passion for empowering youth. She has built a strong foundation for her career by receiving a Bachelor of Science from the Gallatin School of Individualized Studies at New York University, where she created her own Major called Mobilizing Developing Youth to Transform Communities. She then went on to obtain a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University with a specialization in Advanced Generalist Practice and Programming. This focused on social work practice at individual and community levels, including program planning, advocacy, and evidence-based interventions — with a concentration in school-based and school-linked services.
Tiana is the former Executive Director of Community of Unity, a school-based non-profit housed in New Design High School. Her leadership there led to the establishment of innovative partnerships and programming ensuring the organization’s continued growth and impact.
Before her role as Executive Director, Tiana impacted young people through her work at organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Newark, Hostos Community College, and Henry Street Settlement. Her expertise in counseling, crisis interventions, curriculum development, and program management has helped create a nurturing environment for youth to thrive. With her wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to her work, Tiana is committed to making a significant difference in the lives of young people and communities across New York City.
Thomas Pagan
Thomas Pagan is an experienced professional with over 8 years working in residential and commercial settings. Thomas graduated with a license in Refrigerating Operating Engineer and has licenses in both Locksmith and Fitness for Fire Life and Safety Director. He also holds a certification in Property Manager from the New York Real Estate Institute.
In his spare time, Thomas enjoys and is passionate about the outdoors, indulging in activities like hiking and ATV riding. He also dedicates time to coaching his son’s baseball team and contributing to Habitat for Humanity.
Deb Scher
For the past 9+ years, Deb has worked at Educational Alliance’s Manny Cantor Center and is currently the Senior Director of Community Programs and Engagement. In her time at MCC, Deb built and leads MCC Changemakers, a nationally recognized and certified Service Enterprise volunteer program, and continues to find ways to build a stronger, more connected, and engaged community. She was selected for the 2017-2018 Ruskay Jewish Leadership Fellowship, which recognizes rising leaders in the New York Jewish nonprofit sector.
Before joining the MCC team, Deb was Director of Volunteer & Corporate Partnerships at Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (now called New York Edge) and has worked for 20+ years in the nonprofit sector as a community relations and volunteer management leader. Deb earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Culture from Indiana University. When not at MCC, Deb enjoys exploring NYC (especially the food), baking, and hanging out with her niece.
