DECA Inc. is proud to host its 2025 DECA Luminary Program, powered by Adobe, in San Francisco this week. This elite professional development experience brings together distinguished DECA chapter advisors from across the DECA network to deepen their leadership, instructional, and digital skills in a unique “train-the-trainer” format.
Hosted at the historic Westin St. Francis and Adobe’s vibrant San Francisco offices, the three-day program empowers advisors with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver meaningful, high-impact professional development in their home associations throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
The Luminary Program features specialized modules designed to support new chapter advisors, strengthen DECA chapter operations, and integrate digital creativity into classroom learning.
Topics include:
- Supporting new DECA advisors
- Elevating chapter leadership and member engagement
- Building sustainable local business partnerships
- Leveraging Adobe Express and Adobe-sponsored DECA challenges in the classroom
- Enhancing instruction with DECA case studies and competitive event content
“Adobe’s support makes it possible for advisors to return to their classrooms and chartered associations not only more inspired, but also more equipped to lead transformational learning experiences for students and educators alike,” said Frank Peterson, DECA’s Executive Director.
Participants also received hands-on training in Adobe Express, learning how to amplify their chapter’s digital branding while equipping students with future-ready skills in AI, marketing, and content creation.
Thank you to the following chapter advisors for their dedication to developing their skills so their members will be prepared to Go The Extra this upcoming year!
- Cody Nichols, Alabama
- William Conroy, Arizona
- Kristine Kwant, Arizona
- Tracy Laird, Arkansas
- Michael Buxton, California
- Bailey Udoutch, California
- Jeff Champlin, Colorado
- Sara Mossman, Colorado
- Bernadette Bille, Colorado
- Tara Amato, Florida
- Wendy Rosche, Florida
- Grace Seibold, Florida
- Halie Bissell, Georgia
- Allison Bentley, Georgia
- Lauren O'Connor, Georgia
- Lisa Potterton, Hawaii
- Ron Hanson, Idaho
- Danya Peters, Idaho
- Jacob Goodman, Indiana
- Sandi Johnson, Indiana
- Morgan Wade, Kentucky
- George Parker, Louisiana
- Marteze Singleton, Louisiana
- Michelle Hunsicker-Blair, Maryland
- Monice Maurice, Massachusetts
- Ross Maki, Massachusetts
- Corey Guerra, Massachusetts
- Joel Hunt, Michigan
- Nancy Atienza, Michigan
- Jordan Whittecar, Michigan
- Alex Wagner, Minnesota
- Shauna Seaman, Minnesota
- Barbara McNair, Mississippi
- Colton Wooldridge, Missouri
- Jessica Wade, Missouri
- Tanner Curey, Montana
- Kalen Carlson, Nebraska
- Vandana Ravikumar, Nevada
- Heather Benefield, Nevada
- Christina Ortiz, New Hampshire
- Lisa Chestnutt, New Jersey
- Leanne Shine, New Jersey
- Alexis Eggert, New Jersey
- Ariana Gonzalez, New Mexico
- Lisa Svara, New York
- Allyson Finley, North Carolina
- Kimberly Edwards, North Carolina
- Don Fry, North Dakota
- Eric Wagner, Ohio
- Thomas Russell, Ohio
- Melissa Lair, Oklahoma
- Jake Phillips, Oklahoma
- Kristie Lee, Ontario
- Christine Ivey, Ontario
- Cyndee Barkley, Pennsylvania
- Michelle Jackson, Pennsylvania
- Eladio Molina-Garcia, Puerto Rico
- Doug Grigbsy, South Carolina
- Monica Sanders, South Carolina
- Aubrey Drenner, Tennessee
- Melissa Bashore, Tennessee
- Traci Buckner, Texas
- Kendra Meyers, Texas
- Nicole Willis, Texas
- Kevin Elzey, Utah
- Kami Elison, Utah
- Jessica Catley, Virginia
- Julia Deiter, Virginia
- Melvin Barrow, Virginia
- Leslie Bell, Washington
- William Hill, Washington
- Marian Morris, Washington
- Georganna Mansfield, West Virginia
- Haley Hesselberg, Wisconsin
- Taylor Grenlie, Wisconsin
- Courtney Wynia, Wisconsin
- Anna McClure, Wyoming
For more information about DECA and upcoming advisor development opportunities, visit www.deca.org.
