Brenda Clark is CTE director, marketing instructor, SBE advisor, and DECA advisor for Jenison, Michigan, Public Schools. She also serves as a consultant for MBAResearch and Curriculum Center. Clark’s program was named Business of the Year by the Jenison Chamber of Commerce and holds gold certification for School Based Enterprise. She earned a bachelor degree in marketing education, a master degree in educational leadership, and an EdD in educational leadership with a concentration in career and technical education from Western Michigan University.

Cynthia Gendall Basteri, EdD, is a retired high school math and marketing teacher who served as a DECA competitive events coordinator at the district, state, and international level. Currently, Basteri is the grants coordinator for Tewksbury Public Schools and is the Director of Marketing for a family-owned business. She continues to volunteer as a series director for Massachusetts DECA competitive events.

Chris M. Gassen is the principal of an investment firm and formerly an equity mutual fund manager, financial analyst, accountant, and college instructor. Gassen writes educational materials and business valuations. He holds a master of business administration degree with a concentration in finance from Indiana University and a bachelor of science degree in management from Oakland University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and served as a grader for the national CFA exam.

Michelle Walker is the director of education at DECA Inc. She provides leadership in education outreach, professional development for 5,900 advisors in the high school and collegiate divisions, professional division recognition programs, and advisor services. She is a former associate professor at the University of North Texas. Walker has a doctor of philosophy degree in applied technology, training and development from the University of North Texas. She also taught marketing education and was a DECA advisor in the Dallas Independent School District.