Congratulations to the newly-elected 2025-2026 DECA Executive Officer Team! The team is excited to represent DECA members around the globe as they begin work on their goals and objectives for the year ahead.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION PRESIDENT
Asher Leventhal
Asher Leventhal has proudly served Nevada DECA for four years, including roles as Vice President of Marketing, Board of Trustees representative, and a two-time ICDC Top Ten finalist in the Virtual Business Challenge Fashion track. He treasures not only his achievements but also the inspiring people he has met and the positive impact he has made. To him, DECA’s true value extends beyond titles, emphasizing that leadership is about action, vision, and the power to motivate others. This belief guides Asher’s commitment to creating change.
This year, he aims to broaden international advocacy for Career and Technical Education through creative social media campaigns, strengthen officer collaboration, and improve DECA’s new member experience. Nevada DECA has shaped Asher’s character, fueling his pride and gratitude for the personal and professional growth it has provided. Above all, he remains dedicated to empowering fellow members worldwide to pursue excellence and growth. With unwavering determination, Asher looks forward to inspiring others, knowing that a genuine leader’s role transcends positions and rests in meaningful actions.
CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT
Cullen Watanuki
Cullen Watanuki is a four-year DECA member from Arlington Heights, IL, with a strong passion for leadership and service. Throughout high school, Cullen has served as Illinois’s Vice President of Leadership Development and his chapter co-president. In these roles, he has worked to expand opportunities for members, foster collaboration, and drive innovation within every member. As your next Central Region Vice President, Cullen aims to strengthen connections between all the Central Region associations, ensuring that every member's voice is heard. In Cullen’s current state officer role, he has created Leadership Councils to mentor members across Illinois, oversaw Illinois’ membership surpass 5,000 members, and created the first ever Rising Leader team where members can work simultaneously with the state officers achieving the goals of Illinois DECA. Outside of DECA, Cullen is a committed Varsity athlete and captain of his swim team, active member on his school district advisory board, coaching his childhood swim team, and as a peer tutor. Cullen is beyond excited to help the Central Region soar to new heights!
NORTH ATLANTIC REGION VICE PRESIDENT
Hannah Heidari
Hannah Heidari is a fourth-year DECA member from Rhode Island passionate about empowering leaders, fostering connection, and inspiring innovation. DECA has shaped Hannah into a confident leader, competitor, and mentor, inspiring her to give back to the organization that changed her life. As her Association’s Vice President and now President, she has strengthened RI DECA by supporting emerging chapters, revitalizing social media, and significantly growing membership. As a two-term Chapter President, she created an inclusive community where every member gains confidence in competition and leadership, deepening her passion for servant leadership. As North Atlantic Region Vice President, Hannah strives to strengthen communication, increase collaboration among associations, and ensure every member feels supported through her monthly meetings initiative. She believes passion in DECA is a domino effect—when leaders are empowered, they inspire others. By working hand in hand, she hopes to build a stronger, more connected DECA community. Hannah is a four-time ICDC qualifier and a finalist in Quick Serve Restaurant Management. Outside of DECA, she enjoys exploring coffee shops and going to the beach.
SOUTHERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT
Mason St. Jean
Mason St. Jean is a four-year DECA member from Beech High School in Hendersonville and is a proud Beech DECA member–he joined DECA in his freshman year and quickly grew to love the organization. He has qualified for Tennessee's state career development conference for the past four years and the ICDC for the last three. He served as his DECA chapter’s New Member Director and helped Beech become the second-largest chapter in the state of Tennessee.
Mason was also a captain on his varsity football team and loves football and competing with others. He enjoys spending his free time with family and friends and strives to find opportunities to network and meet new people. Mason served as the 2024-2025 Tennessee DECA Vice President of Hospitality. During his term, he embodied hospitality and connected DECA members across the state of Tennessee. Mason also runs a student mental health organization that has reached 35,000 people in his community over the past two years and loves showing every student that they have a purpose.
WESTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT
Praveena Mahendran
Praveena Mahendran is a proud four-year DECA member, dedicated to empowering others through her leadership and using her passion to enhance DECA’s impact on others. Serving in her dual role as the Washington DECA Area 3 President and Vice President of Finance, Praveena simultaneously works to represent the 2,400+ members in her district and leads statewide philanthropic efforts benefiting the 16,000 members in her association. Praveena also sits on the student-led leadership committee for Washington DECA’s Access & Inclusion Board and has served as a previous two-time chapter officer.
Reflecting on her DECA journey, Praveena is overcome with immense gratitude for the dynamic DECA community she's been shaped by, quickly learning that leadership has always been about creating a space where actions speak louder than titles. Guided by this understanding, Praveena is committed to shaping a Western Region where collaboration isn’t just a concept but a deliberate force that empowers every member to lead with purpose, transforming potential into real, lasting impact.
