President of the Board of Directors

Elisa M. Santoro is President of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board of Directors since 2021.  

Elisa graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in English Literature and earned a Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in New York and California. Elisa is an Attorney in Locust Valley, specializing in Estate Planning, Real Estate, and Land Use. She is an avid rower and tennis player and loves sailing with her husband and their two daughters.

Executive Director

George J. Ellis is the WaterFront Center’s Executive Director. He and his wife Susan have been residents of the Town of Oyster Bay for 22 years, raising two children. George is an avid sailor and competes on the waters of Oyster Bay and beyond. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Economics, George has spent his career in capital markets working for investment banks.

Director, Education

Cameron was born and raised in Huntington, Long Island. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of Maine and spent a “Semester at the Sea” at the Darling Marvel Center.

After college, he spent six years working as an outdoor educator/naturalist for Nassau County BOLES. In 2012, Cameron became a Bay Buccaneer instructor at the WFC; after that, he was asked to stay on as the Education Director. Additionally, Cameron is the WFC’s Site Coordinator for the Cornell Cooperative Horseshoe Crab Study and is the main caretaker of all marine animals living in the classroom touch tanks.

Cameron is a US Sailing REACH coordinator and Boy Scouts of America Merit badge Counselor and is First Aid/CPR Certified. He serves as a judge for the Long Island Environment and for the New York Science and Math Association high school poster competition.

Director, Sailing & Waterfront Operations

Jonathan Zaskorski serves as Sailing Director at The WaterFront Center, where he oversees youth, adult, and community sailing programs. A native of Port Washington, he began sailing at Sea Cliff Yacht Club and competed at Saratoga Lake Sailing Club and Skidmore College.

Jonathan has extensive offshore and coastal racing experience, including a third-place finish in the 2024 Newport to Bermuda Race aboard Coucou, an Express 37. He also spent seven years restoring and racing a 1969 Hinckley 38 sailboat alongside his father.

Since joining The WaterFront Center in 2025 as Director of Waterfront Operations, Jonathan has played a key role in strengthening the J/105 Junior Big Boat Program and High School Sailing. He is passionate about expanding access to sailing and inspiring the next generation on the water.

Director, Marketing and Engagement

Jamé grew up in Hauppauge, NY, spending her summers on the South Shore waters aboard her parents' powerboat. Her lifelong connection to the water has shaped both her personal and professional life.

After earning a B.A. in TV Production from Hofstra University, Jamé moved to New York City, launching her career at CNN. However, her passion for community-driven work led her back to Long Island, where she now lives in Bayville with her husband and three children.

With over 18 years of experience in communications and development, Jamé has worked with community service organizations and nonprofit schools for children with developmental disabilities, helping to enhance outreach, fundraising, and strategic growth.

Jamé remains deeply involved in the Glen Cove community, serving as Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer of the Interagency Council. She is an advocate for local businesses and social services, using her leadership to foster collaboration and community impact.

A lifelong water enthusiast, she enjoys swimming, kayaking, and boating, staying connected to the maritime lifestyle that has always been a part of her life.

Programs Manager

Katie grew up in Bayville on Long Island, where she spent most of her summers on the water with her family. Growing up, she went water skiing, swimming, and fishing in the Harbor. In High School, Katie was a lifeguard at Center Island Bay. Her past work in the hospital and doctor's office has taught her that she loves to work with the public and is passionate about community outreach.

Katie is excited to share her love of the water with others in her community and looks forward to more adventures with The Waterfront Center!

Naadira Gafar serves as Assistant Sailing Director at The WaterFront Center, where she helps plan and oversee sailing programs that introduce community members of all ages to life on the water.

Naadira’s passion for sailing began in her youth while growing up in Douglaston, where she spent her summers on the water and developed a lifelong love for the sport. Sailing has remained a central part of her life ever since—she has sailed in every season and continues to enjoy time on the water whenever she can, often sailing Sunfish.

A U.S. Sailing Level 3 Certified Instructor, Naadira has been coaching since 2019 and is dedicated to helping sailors build confidence, skill, and a lasting connection to the water. In 2023, she received the JSA Susie Trotman Award, recognizing her consistent excellence and outstanding contributions to sailing instruction and training. Through her work at The WaterFront Center, Naadira is committed to sharing her enthusiasm for sailing and helping inspire the next generation of sailors.