Tony DeMello
Mr. DeMello is the graphics and multimedia specialist for DEF. He has extensive experience in the creation of effective graphic communication and new media marketing materials. 

Ayse Inan
Ayse Inan is the Program and Office Administrator for DEF. After graduating from Stanford University with a dual degree in Economics and Communication, Ms. Inan quickly left a career in options trading to dedicate her professional talents and skills to the non-profit world. Ms. Inan has extensive experience in such areas as business development, social advocacy, education, and life-skills counseling. Her interest in education and non-profit work has brought Ms. Inan to DEF, where her core duties include ensuring the administrative success and fluidity of the DEF office and assisting in the development and expansion of DEF projects and partnerships.

Laurie Mandel
As managing director, Laurie Mandel oversees all of DEF’s efforts, including the development of its products and services and the building of the organization. She works closely with the executive director and other board members to determine the foundation’s strategic direction and to ensure that DEF succeeds in its mission. Before joining DEF, Ms. Mandel was chief administrative officer and corporate secretary for Strategic Decisions Group, where she managed all nonfinancial internal operations and provided the board of directors and management with guidance and support on legal matters, including governance, contracts, IP, and personnel issues. While at SDG, she was involved with DEF in an advisory capacity. Ms. Mandel has extensive experience in the education sector, having served for nine years as executive director of The Learning Institute, a private national postgraduate teacher training organization. She has also designed and field-tested training models for the Department of Education and taught English at the junior high level. She holds a BS in English education from the University of Wisconsin and an MA in English from New York University.

Nicole Nokes
Ms. Nokes is director of operations of The Decision Education Foundation. She has over 10 years of experience in project/product management, sales, and marketing and a significant background in financial/budget operations.  She has worked for several companies, including Sony Playstation, BigWords, and RedCart, and for the nonprofit organizations Stanford University and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.  Her personal interest in engaging the next generation to succeed led Ms. Nokes to DEF, and she hopes to change the lives of at-risk youth by empowering them to take charge of their decisions. She has extensive experience working with underserved populations, a special dedication of hers, and has coached soccer, mentored teens, and most recently challenged young women to finish high school and go to college.  Ms. Nokes joined DEF from Stanford University (her alma mater) where she was program manager for the Stanford Center for Professional Development.

Chris Spetzler
Chris Spetzler, Program Director, is passionate about bringing decision skills to students and extending DEF partners’ capabilities to teach youth about decision making. Before joining DEF, Mr. Spetzler applied decision analytics in the life sciences industry as a project manager at ALZA Corporation and a consultant with Pharsight. He received an MBA in international management from Thunderbird and studied economics at Reed College.