Meet the Staff
From left to right: Brenna Evans, Elana MacGilpin, Sam Lewis, Taylor Losey.
Elana MacGilpin, Director, has ten years of experience working at the Mandell JCC as Director of Community Engagement, Assistant Director at Camp Shalom, Jewish Book Festival and Adult Director. She has created and implemented unique programs for all age groups and families, managed a community-wide grant initiative, large scale events as well as PJ Library programming. Elana’s experience in the Farmington Valley spans the last eight years as the Director of the Chai Center, a community center without walls, for the Jewish community in the Valley. Elana has a Masters in Social Work from University of Michigan and a BA from Union College. Elana lives in West Hartford with her husband and two boys who wholeheartedly support all the Boston sports teams. Elana manages the facility, creates community partnerships, and coordinates Jewish programming.
Samantha Lewis grew up in West Hartford, spending hours on the Mandell JCC basketball courts as a child. After devoting five years as the Sports & Recreation Director at the JCC in Providence, RI and the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, NJ, Sam is excited to return home as the Assistant Director of the new Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center in Canton. She is eager to share her wealth of knowledge and experience, from kids’ sports classes and camps, to sponsorships and rentals, to youth and adult basketball leagues. Before coming to the JCC world Sam worked in sales and marketing for the New Britain Rock Cats, New York Giants and New York Mets. Sam is thrilled to hit the ground running and make the JCC feel like a second home for the residents of the Valley community. Sam manages facility and court rentals, corporate sponsorships, and coaches youth classes.
Brenna Evans, Program Director and Preschool Sports Specialist, attended UCONN and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. She spent four years at the former Valley Sports Center in Canton where she served as the youth programs coordinator and coached preschool sports classes. Brenna was the office manager and preschool coach at Roots Gymnastics in Westfield, MA. She lives in Collinsville, just minutes away from the Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center. Brenna coaches preschool sports classes, coordinates birthday parties, and manages program registration.
Taylor Losey, Sports Director, is ecstatic to be joining the Mandell JCC. She grew up down the road in Bristol and played Division II Basketball for Pace University in Westchester, NY. While getting her Masters in Media and Communications, Taylor joined the Pace University Basketball Coaching staff for two years. Upon returning home to Connecticut, Taylor worked in youth service and development at the Boys and Girls Club of Bristol and is excited to explore the next chapter doing what she loves – sports! Taylor coaches youth sports classes, manages leagues, and handles individual basketball instruction.
Samantha Lewis grew up in West Hartford, spending hours on the Mandell JCC basketball courts as a child. After devoting five years as the Sports & Recreation Director at the JCC in Providence, RI and the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, NJ, Sam is excited to return home as the Assistant Director of the new Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center in Canton. She is eager to share her wealth of knowledge and experience, from kids’ sports classes and camps, to sponsorships and rentals, to youth and adult basketball leagues. Before coming to the JCC world Sam worked in sales and marketing for the New Britain Rock Cats, New York Giants and New York Mets. Sam is thrilled to hit the ground running and make the JCC feel like a second home for the residents of the Valley community. Sam manages facility and court rentals, corporate sponsorships, and coaches youth classes.
Brenna Evans, Program Director and Preschool Sports Specialist, attended UCONN and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. She spent four years at the former Valley Sports Center in Canton where she served as the youth programs coordinator and coached preschool sports classes. Brenna was the office manager and preschool coach at Roots Gymnastics in Westfield, MA. She lives in Collinsville, just minutes away from the Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center. Brenna coaches preschool sports classes, coordinates birthday parties, and manages program registration.
Taylor Losey, Sports Director, is ecstatic to be joining the Mandell JCC. She grew up down the road in Bristol and played Division II Basketball for Pace University in Westchester, NY. While getting her Masters in Media and Communications, Taylor joined the Pace University Basketball Coaching staff for two years. Upon returning home to Connecticut, Taylor worked in youth service and development at the Boys and Girls Club of Bristol and is excited to explore the next chapter doing what she loves – sports! Taylor coaches youth sports classes, manages leagues, and handles individual basketball instruction.
