Learn more about the IANDS team, including our board and staff. And be sure to also take a look at our IANDS Advisory Board, too!
Executive Committee of the Board
Janice Holden, EdD, LPC-S, ACMHP – President (2020)
Residence: Texas
Occupation: NDE researcher; Professor Emerita of Counseling, University of North Texas, Denton (1988-2019)
Experience: IANDS member, 1985-present; IANDS Board, 2000-2006; IANDS Secretary, 2003; IANDS President, 2004-2006; Dallas-Fort Worth Friends of IANDS founder and leader, 2002-present; Editor, Journal of Near-Death Studies, 2008-present; IANDS Board, 2020-present
Martin Tanner, JD – Vice President (2021)
Residence: Utah
Occupation: Mediator, Consultant and Radio Talk Show Host
Experience: IANDS member; Salt Lake City IANDS Board of Directors; IANDS Board, 2020-present; IANDS Governance Committee chair, 2020-present
Robert Mays, BSc – Treasurer (2020)
Residence: North Carolina
Occupation: NDE researcher (consciousness, veridical perceptions), retired Senior Software Engineer, retired science teacher
Experience: IANDS member; Finance, Publications, Research, Technology, & Website Committees; IANDS Board member and Treasurer: 2009-2018, 2020-present
Janet Melcher, PhD, LISW-S – Secretary (2021)
Residence: Ohio
Occupation: University of Cincinnati School of Social Work 1990-present; UCS SSW BSW Field Coordinator
Experience: IANDS Board, 2020-present
Evan Mecham, MA – President-Elect (2025)
Residence: Colorado
Occupation: President & Founder of Conversations to Heal the Heart – Transpersonal Therapies
Experience: IANDS Groups Coordinator, IANDS Board Member, 2023-present
Executive Director
Janet Riley, MS, CAE
Residence: Maryland
IANDS Executive Director
Occupation: Communications Professional/Association Executive
Experience: IANDS Executive Director, 2024-present.
Other Board Members
Bob Coppes, PhD
Residence: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Occupation: NDE Researcher; Author
Experience: IANDS member, 2002-present
IANDS Board Member, 2023
Angela Harris, BAEd
Residence: North Carolina
Occupation: Educator, Non-Profit Leader, Wellness Coach
Experience: IG&E Director 2021-2023
IANDS Board Member, 2023-present
Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K
Residence: Texas
Occupation: Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Experience: IANDS Board, 1995-2008, 2011-2017, 2020-present; IANDS Conference Coordinator, 1996-2006, 2010; IANDS Conference Co-Chair, 2021; Education Committee Co-Chair, 2020-present; Ethics Committee Co-Chair, 2020-present
David Maginley, MA, MDiv., CSCP
Residence: Nova Scotia, Canada
Occupation: Spiritual Care Practitioner, Therapist, Author, retired Palliative Care Chaplain
Experience: IANDS member, 2012-present, Ethics Committee, 2023-present, IANDS Board Member, 2024-present
Maryann Sperry, BAEd, BBA
Residence: Colorado
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Experience: Graphic Designer, Conference Chair 2024, Board Member 2022 – Present
Staff
Susan Amsden, BSc
IANDS Office Manager; Editor of Vital Signs; New Groups Mentor; Durham RT IANDS Group Leader
Residence: North Carolina
Occupation: Business Specialist
Hope Pickard, BA
Office Assistant/Bookkeeper
Residence: North Carolina
Occupation: Office Assistant
Experience: IANDS staff, 2019; 2024-present