Meet the Team

Eli Woody joined the NSDA in 2020. He is an alum of the NSDA, competing at Topeka High School (KS) in many events, including Duo Interpretation, in which he was a national qualifier in 2007. Eli coached speech and debate for 11 years and—as a biracial man—proudly attended the Black/African American Coaches’ Caucus. He graduated from Washburn University with a B.A. in English Education in 2012 and from the University of Colorado Denver with an M.A. in Communication in 2020. He is now a doctoral student at Baylor University in the Education and Organizational Change program. At the NSDA, Eli provides customer support to members and is also passionate about sharing and discussing resources on antiracism and equity.

Lauren McCool joined the national office in 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Arts in Theatre History and Performance Studies from Bowling Green State University, and Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction for English Language Learners from the University of Nebraska – Kearney. As a teacher, Lauren taught theatre, public speaking, and debate courses. She also served as an interventionist for English Language Learners. As a coach, Lauren coached students to district, state, and national level titles in public speaking, interpretation, and debate. Her work for the NSDA centers upon supporting district leaders and facilitating the organization’s tournament services and judge training.

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. As Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she develops and implements strategies to grow the NSDA as a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the speech and debate community.

Lisa Vossekuil has been a staff member of the National Speech & Debate Association since 2003. As Business and Finance Assistant, Lisa processes, ships, and provides customer service for sales merchandise, honor society insignia, membership materials, and recognition mailings, as well as manages the organization’s history digitization and the National Tournament Store.

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.

Alan 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.

Upon joining BCPS in 2011, Mr. Runcie developed a strategic plan focusing on high-quality instruction, continuous improvement, and effective communication. As part of these goals, Mr. Runcie has spearheaded initiatives to maximize student learning. This includes creating a digital classrooms program to provide blended, personalized learning environments for students. BCPS became the first district to partner with the non-profit organization Code.org to increase computer science in schools. Computer science courses, curriculum, and activities are now offered at 100% of District schools. Mr. Runcie also has been instrumental in bringing debate to every school in the District. In addition, under his leadership, BCPS became a national model for ending zero tolerance policies for non-violent offenses in schools.

Mr. Runcie is president of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and serves on the board of numerous organizations. His honors include: 2016 National Alliance of Black School Educators Superintendent of the Year, 2016 Florida Superintendent of the Year, 2015 ALAS Hispanic Serving Superintendent of the Year, 2014 Florida Virtual School Superintendent of the Year, 2014 Consortium of Florida Education Foundations Superintendent of the Year, Champion District Superintendent of the Year for Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools, the Florida Department of Education’s District Data Leader of the Year Finalist, and a 2014 Leader to Learn From by Education Week.

Mr. Runcie previously held leadership positions with Chicago Public Schools and founded a management and technology consulting company.