Meet the Team

Karen Jansen joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Business Administration and a master’s in Sports Management from Western Illinois University. Prior to joining the NSDA, Karen co-owned and managed a family-owned sport construction business for 25 years where she administered all the company’s finances, marketing, and human resources areas. Karen looks forward to working with the finance department and other NSDA staff in her new role.

Amanda Wagner joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2017. As a Trophy Shop Assistant, Amanda is responsible for producing, assembling, and shipping more than 6,000 awards for district tournaments along with producing and shipping service awards to member schools throughout the year. Amanda also has taken over many of the responsibilities with awards production for the annual National Tournament.

Lauren Burdt joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2016. She has been active in the Association as a competitor, judge, and coach. As Director of Competition and Events, Lauren oversees the evaluation and revision of competition rules and manuals, the district tournament series, and strategic direction of Tabroom.com and NSDA Campus. Lauren is also responsible for developing and managing the Big Questions and Springboard Series programs.

Kirsten Ellermann joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2017. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Sciences from Iowa State University. After college, she pursued a career in drug and alcohol counseling, which helped her gain experience in communications, research, cultural diversity, and supervisory skills. Kirsten transitioned out of the mental health field and into the medical industry while working as an office administrator for a prosthetic and orthotic company. Kirsten’s responsibilities at the NSDA include event planning and logistics, customer service, and office management.

Kevon Haughton joined the national office in 2020. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Public & Nonprofit Administration with a minor in African American Studies from Rutgers University. After immigrating to the United States, he found his passion for both speech and debate and has been involved in the community for over ten years. As a competitor, coach, and mentor Kevon worked for over five years building and strengthening debate programs in the city of Newark. In addition to his work within the debate community, a vast majority of Kevon’s professional experience has been spent managing civic engagement and voting rights programs throughout the United States. Similarly, he has worked with schools and nonprofits to build curriculums and develop and enhance their community outreach and relationships with outside organizations. As Tournament Services Coordinator, Kevon provides tournament support for coaches using NSDA services such as Tabroom.com and Campus.

Nicole Wanzer-Serrano joined the national office in 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Dartmouth College. As a debate coach, Nicole has coached Policy Debate teams to the top four of nearly every major national high school tournament. As the Executive Director of the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, Nicole tripled the number of schools and students that participate in Policy Debate in her first two years. Under her leadership, Dallas Urban Debate was also recognized as the 2012 Urban Debate League of the Year. For her work as the co-director of the Debate Institutes at Dartmouth, Nicole was awarded the Bronx Science Achievement Award for her contributions to the debate community. Nicole’s development work at the national office includes the planning and implementation of all philanthropic efforts of the National Speech & Debate Association. 

Amber Gracia joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2021. She is an alum of the NSDA, having competed in Interp with her team at Harlingen High School South (TX). Amber began a career in non-profit work after graduating with her A.A.S. degree in 2015. As Alumni Engagement Specialist at the NSDA, Amber is responsible for alumni programming, volunteer opportunities, and connecting alums to resources and each other. She is always ready to schedule some time to hear your speech and debate story!

Angela McMillan joined the national office in 2021. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in innovation, design, and society from Grand Valley State University. Angela is a NSDA alumna and former coach of 10 years. As the Director of Marketing and Advocacy at the NSDA, she focuses on developing marketing strategies to support and further the work across all departments and champions the power of speech and debate. Angela is passionate about serving community at the local, state, and national level. She is currently a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Small Staff Association Committee, on the board for Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center, on the core team for Kalamazoo Social Media, and a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is also a member of her local optimist club (BOCK), previously serving on their Board of Directors and currently serving on the Michigan District Optimists leadership team as their Communication, Marketing, and Technology Committee Chair. She is a TEDx speaker and a graduate of the 2018 ASAE NextGen Association Leadership Summit. When she is not serving, she is spreading joy with her optimistic outlook, her absurd tales of motherhood, and her impromptu dance parties.

Walker Desing joined the National Speech & Debate Association in 2016. Walker earned a B.A. in Visual & Media Arts from Emerson College, where he gained experience producing video for film and TV. Walker brings his media production and technological experience to the Association, where he produces NSDA videos, oversees National Tournament video and livestream content, and manages the Association’s technological equipment.

Alyssa Rivera joined the NSDA in 2022. Alyssa received her BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Ithaca College and continued her education with a focus on digital marketing at Georgetown University. Alyssa loves connecting with NSDA students, coaches, and teams and sharing in the mutual love of spoken word and performance via our social media channels. In addition to her work at the NSDA, Alyssa is a comedian and also teaches and performs improv at The Second City in Chicago.

Eli Woody joined NSDA in January of 2021. He is a graduate of Washburn University (B.A., English Education) and the University of Colorado Denver (M.A., Communication). Before joining NSDA, Eli was a head coach of speech and debate and also taught college Public Speaking. He competed in the activity for all four years in high school, in Kansas, and is passionate about making speech and debate diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Pam Cady Wycoff began her teaching and coaching career in 1979 at Mankato Loyola High School, Minnesota, a school of 200 students. She initiated a new chapter, started a Lincoln-Douglas Debate team, and coached a speech team where more than a quarter of the school population was on the team.  Over the course of 10 years, the students’ achievements led Loyola to hold the State Class A Records for the Highest Cumulative Total of State Medalists in all Contests; the Most Medals won by a School in Single Year; the Highest Cumulative Total of State Champions, and the Most Individual State Champions in a Single Year.  In 1989, Pam became the Director of Speech and Debate at Apple Valley High School, where she built a nationally recognized program.  In 2009, Pam was named the Apple Valley High School Teacher of the Year.  During her tenure as Director of Forensics, Pam coached more than 40 NSDA national finalists, including 18 runners-up and ten national champions. Pam was named NSDA Coach of the Year in 2009.  Twice Apple Valley High School has received the Bruno E. Jacob Award, first in 1998 and again in 2019.  Each time, Pam was awarded the Bruno Commendation for effectiveness as a speech educator.  While Director, the program was recognized with a Team Sweepstakes or Team of Excellence award in 24 different years. In addition to coaching, Pam enjoys “giving back” to the organization. She has been a presenter for instructional videos and has offered coaching workshops around the country. For over 30 years, Pam has served on the NSDA District Committee.  She has served on the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Topic Selection Committee and as a Board liaison to the Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Interpretation Committees. She also advocated for Informative Speaking as a national event. Pam was elected to the Board of Directors in 2005.  In 2012, she became Vice-President and held that office for six years. In 2018 she was elected Board President and continues to serve in that capacity. Pam is the second female in the organization’s 96-year history to serve as President.  For her consistent service, she received her Nineteenth Distinguished Service Plaque in 2020.  Pam was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Speech & Debate Association Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2016, the NSDA named the event of Original Oratory after Joe and Pam Wycoff.  In 2017, Pam became a 7 Diamond Coach.

Dr. Alan H. Coverstone is a Senior Program Officer on the K-12 team at the Gates Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation he most recently served as the Chair of Education at Belmont University where he led the establishment of a teacher residency in partnership with the local Nashville school district. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Officer of Innovation at the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). There he led numerous innovations in charter school policy and practice, created the Innovation Zone, and led the expansion of autonomy and accountability for a growing number of schools and school leaders. He planned and directed Tennessee’s first conversion charter school at Cameron Middle School, and served as Project Director for implementation of the district’s $12 million Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) grant. Alan previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), and also served on the Davidson County school board. Before serving MNPS, Alan was a teacher and debate coach at Montgomery Bell Academy for 14 years, also serving as the Academic Dean of the School. While at MBA, Alan coached several successful competitors, including the 2005 Policy Debate champion and runner-up teams.

Sara Gibson is an alumna of the National Speech & Debate Association from Chesterton High School in Indiana. She also debated for the University of Notre Dame. She is the Co-Founder & CEO of 20° (20 degrees), a management consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to unlocking new forms of revenue and capital for nonprofits and social enterprises, specializing in extending nonprofits’ income beyond philanthropy. Sara’s passion over her 20-year professional career is transformative, sustainable, and high-impact nonprofit work done in collaboration with diverse and complex communities.

Holly Williams is the Associate Superintendent for Mesa Public School in Mesa, Arizona. She began her career as a high school English teacher and Dean of Students in the Chandler Unified School District. Holly has been a part of Mesa Public Schools for 22 years and has served as an Assistant Principal and High School Principal before transitioning to a district-level position. As a district-level leader, Holly has been the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, an Area Assistant Superintendent (East Area and High Schools), and the Chief of Staff. Holly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. Holly serves on the COPA Health Board of Directors and has previously served on the Arizona Adult Resources Board of Directors. Her oldest daughter competed in speech and debate at Mountain View high school, and Holly has served as a judge at local tournaments.