Nikki Hahn

PRESIDENT

Nikki A. Hahn is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Enterprise Development Center and brings a wealth of development experience to the nonprofit sector. Ms. Hahn was previously with Volunteer New York! where she developed corporate social responsibility programming for local business leaders. In addition, she has served as the chair of the Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee, President of the Junior League of Central Westchester, and the Client and Partner Development Director of The Acceleration Project.

Ms. Hahn is actively involved in many community initiatives and currently also serves on Cure JM Foundation's Board of Directors as the Development Director and Chair as well as on the Association for Development Officers Board of Directors as a Director at Large.

She earned both a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University. Nikki resides in Scarsdale with her husband Drew and four children, one of whom sings in the WCChorus.

Justin O’Leary

VICE PRESIDENT

Justin O’Leary is a real estate investor and developer at PILOT Real Estate Group in Greenwich, Connecticut. At PILOT, Justin invests in debt and equity opportunities across the US, financing real estate transactions, ranging from short-term bridge loans to long-term equity investments alongside real estate owners and operators. He earned a Master’s in Real Estate Finance from New York University’s Shack Real Estate Institute and holds a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Skidmore College.

Justin is also a singer! He was inspired by his high school chorus teacher, Anne Tornillo, and recognizes the incredible impact music teachers can have on their students, communities, and the arts. He currently sings with the New Choral Society in Scarsdale.

While at Skidmore, Justin was a member of the all-male a cappella group, the Bandersnatchers, performing on campus and across the country at alumni events. He spent a summer in Newport, RI with the Newport Sound a cappella group, and has also performed as a member of the Connecticut All-State Choir and the Mozart Choir at Fairfield University. He has served in many alumni volunteer roles at Skidmore College including an Alumni Admissions Counselor and as a member of the Alumni Awards Committee.

Justin lives in Larchmont with his wife Anna, daughter, who is a member of the chorus, and dog Coco.

Dr. Cara Bernard

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Cara Bernard is Assistant Clinical Professor of Music Education at the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, where she teaches courses in choral and elementary methods, curriculum, and supervises student teaching. Cara’s research areas include music teacher evaluation, policy, curriculum, and social justice. She currently serves on the editorial committees of Music Educators Journal, Arts Education Policy Review, and Visions of Research in Music Education. She is co-author of the book Navigating Teacher Evaluation: A Guide for Music Teachers, published by Oxford University Press. As a conductor, Cara has prepared choruses for performances at Carnegie Hall and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. She is currently President-Elect of CT American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) chapter.

Elizabeth Clain

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Elizabeth Clain spent 31 years working in public schools in New York State.  She spent the first six years of her career teaching Social Studies in the New York City public school system and the last 26 years in the Mamaroneck School District.  For the past 11 years Liz served as the Principal of Mamaroneck High School and most recently she began her next chapter as an educational consultant, coaching new and seasoned administrators.

While serving as principal of Mamaroneck High School one of Liz’s responsibilities was to directly supervise the music department. Liz quickly realized what a privilege it was to spend time with teachers and students while they made music together and learned from one another.  Liz is deeply aware of how important it is for young people to have a place where they belong and where they can be their true selves, Liz believes the WCChorus is such an organization. Liz has watched WCChorus grow since 2015 and she is honored to now serve as a board member. 

Liz’s two children are grown and theoretically out of the house!  She and her husband can be found most weekends hiking/walking, reading or cooking for friends and family.