Laurie Mandel

As managing director, Laurie Mandel oversees the development of DEF products and services and the building of the organization. She works closely with staff members to ensure that DEF is meeting its goals and serves as an advisor to DEF program directors. Before joining DEF, Ms. Mandel was chief administrative officer and corporate secretary for Strategic Decisions Group. While at SDG, she also worked with DEF in an informal advisory capacity. Ms. Mandel has extensive experience in the education sector, having served for nine years as executive director of The Learning Institute, a private national postgraduate teacher training organization. She has also designed and field-tested training models for the Department of Education and taught English at the junior high level. She holds a BS in English Education from the University of Wisconsin and an MA in English from New York University.