Our Team
Staff Members
Alan Steckler
Founder & President
Alan founded Creative Connections in 1992. Under his leadership, Creative Connections programming grew from an exchange of letter scrapbooks to the creation and sharing of culturally revealing art, to videoconferencing, to the exploration of environmental and social issues. Prior to founding CC, Alan was an elementary and secondary school teacher in the U.S. and England. Alan has a B.A. from Principia College, an M.A. in Educational Theater from New York University and has done coursework at the Bank Street College of Education.
Polly Loughran
Director of
Communications & Development
Polly joined Creative Connections in 2008. She manages all communications, messaging and branding, including all social media. She also manages the organization’s development initiatives, donor relations, grants and special events. Polly’s broad experience includes project management, design and event planning. She previously worked for Save the Children and holds a B.F.A. from New York University.
Annette Thompson
Global Voices – ArtLink Program Manager
Annette is a dynamic leader in global education and virtual exchange. She leads the participation of educators in the Global Voices–ArtLink program at Creative Connections, ensuring meaningful cross-cultural exchange experiences for students worldwide. In 2024, she completed Advanced Dialogue Facilitation Training with Soliya—an industry leader in virtual exchange and dialogue programs—through the Stevens Initiative, building on 20 hours of intensive training focused on strengthening multipartial leadership skills and attitudes. With a strong foundation in marketing, merchandising, design, and project management, Annette brings a creative and strategic lens to every initiative she leads. She serves as Board President of the Norwalk Mentor Scholarship, Dollars for Scholars organization, where she champions access to higher education for underrepresented students. Annette holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) and an Executive MBA from the University of Connecticut. Her work reflects a deep commitment to justice, global understanding, and youth empowerment.
Tim Steckler
Global Voices Program Manager
Ethics Lab, TheaterConnect
Sofia Canessa
Senior Communications & Project Coordinator
Sofia joined Creative Connections in July 2022 as a Social Media Intern and has since advanced to Senior Communications and Project Coordinator.
In her role, she leads and supports a range of organizational initiatives within global education programming including: event curation and production support, outreach and partner engagement, donor communications, research, graphic design, email marketing, and project coordination,
Sofia’s work is rooted in her passion for building meaningful, accessible experiences that bring global education to life. She is especially interested in event curation and developing thoughtful program concepts into engaging, in-person experiences grounded in real human connection.
Daria Housman
Senior Program Consultant
Daria has over 25 years in global education, holding senior roles at the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Global Citizens Initiative (GCI), leading international programs, student outreach, scholarship selection, and fundraising/special projects. As a consultant, she advises universities, secondary schools and nonprofits on global strategy, curriculum design, and international recruitment. Daria holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University, a Master’s Degree in International Education from NYU, is a certified Global Mobility Specialist, and has traveled to over 50 countries.
Board Members
David Pritchard
Board Chair
David is a Co-founder/Principal of Aequitas Advisors, a Stamford, CT-based consulting firm. For many years, David has been providing consulting services for corporations seeking capital raising, securities exchange or restructuring initiatives. David is a former journalist and project director at AmeriCares Foundation, as well as co-head of Equity Capital Markets at CiBC World Markets.
Dr. Cheryl Iozzo
Board Member
Cheryl has been an art educator for Greenwich Connecticut Public Schools since 1994. She strives to teach from a transdisciplinary approach, through the visual arts. She has co-led multiple workshops for over 40 educators in the rain forest region of Guatemala. Cheryl was the 2014 Greenwich Teacher of the Year and a 2015 CT Teacher of the Year semifinalist.
David Janes
Board Member
David is Vice President, North America, International House of Japan (IHJ) and Executive Director of the American Friends of the International House of Japan (AFIHJ). The International House of Japan contributes to building a free, open and sustainable future through intellectual dialogue, policy research, and cultural exchange with a diverse world. He serves as Chair of the Board of the Japan ICU Foundation; President & Chair of EngageAsia; Vice President of LEX Language Project; Trustee of the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation; Trustee of the Tanaka-U.K. Japan Educational Foundation; and Trustee of the Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.
Sharon Lauer
Board Member
Sharon has served as Head of the Unquoa School, a PreK-8 independent school in Fairfield, CT for about two decades. She has served on the board of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools as well as its Commission on Membership and Accreditation. Sharon was also on the board of the Fairfield Museum and History Center and is currently on the board of Headmistresses of the East.
Robert Townes
Board Member
With 25+ years of marketing communications experience, Robert currently serves as the Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Milford. Robert uses strategic partnerships with stakeholders to build strong brand recognition and drive fundraising revenue. He previously worked as the Director of Public Affairs for Norwalk-based Stepping Stones Museum for Children and in communications at the American Heart Association and the Connecticut Council for Education Reform.
Roz McCarthy
Board Member
Roz McCarthy is a retired educator turned journalist. She currently writes a monthly column called Chalk Talk for the Norwalk Hour, highlighting significant innovations in the Norwalk Public Schools. Most of her teaching career was spent in New Canaan High School where she taught English and Journalism and advised the school newspaper, the Courant. During that period, she also served as a member of the Board of Education in Norwalk for eight years. After leaving New Canaan High School, she moved on to become an administrator in Norwalk, ultimately serving as principal in the Center for Global Studies, a magnet high school that enrolls students from all over Fairfield County. Roz lives in Norwalk with her husband, and she has three children and four grandchildren.
Ami-Lynn Bakshi
Board Member
Ami-Lynn Bakshi is the Chief Executive Officer of Elevated Spirits, LLC, with a 28-year career in the beverage alcohol industry. She has excelled in marketing, innovation, and sales, and her dynamic leadership has made her one of the industry’s top female leaders. Ami-Lynn’s entrepreneurial ventures include co-founding and leading successful new ventures, such as SoNo 1420 American Craft Distillers. Her passion for people fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, empowering her teams to excel. She is a graduate of San Diego State University, receiving both a B.S. and a M.S. in Business Administration (Marketing and Entrepreneurship). She is actively involved in her community in Norwalk, CT, serving on the Board of the Norwalk Senior Center and supporting local charitable causes.
Alan Steckler
CC Founder & President
Alan founded Creative Connections in 1992. Under his leadership, Creative Connections programming grew from an exchange of letter scrapbooks to the creation and sharing of culturally revealing art, to videoconferencing, to the exploration of environmental and social issues. Prior to founding CC, Alan was an elementary and secondary school teacher in the U.S. and England. Alan has a B.A. from Principia College, an M.A. in Educational Theater from New York University and has done coursework at the Bank Street College of Education.