Jennifer Dreyer
Certified Facilitator
Jennifer is the owner of Tamayo Consulting and co-creator of The Presentation Lab. For more than 20 years, Jennifer has dedicated herself to helping presenters grow, learn, and change. She is a skilled facilitator and trusted advisor who is highly regarded for her pragmatic and down-to-earth approach. As a former faculty member and director of debate, Jennifer brings a critical eye to all of her work and provides practical solutions, grounded in research and experience.
Jennifer is the mother of two daughters, Natalie, 13, and Nicole, 11, who have helped her to become a better delegator and more empathetic leader.
Jennifer received her M.A. in Communication and B.A. in Speech Communication, both from San Diego State University.
Melissa Durkin
Certified Facilitator
Melissa is co-creator of the Presentation Lab and manages the program, facilitators and staff. She began teaching and coaching presenters as a public speaking instructor at San Diego State University and then transferred her presentation, facilitation and coaching skills from academia to corporate 13 years ago when she joined Tamayo Consulting. After more than a decade of helping presenters re-work existing (bad) presentations, Melissa realized there was a better way. She started teaching presenters how to create great presentations from scratch, creating the path for the Presentation Lab.
Melissa has an M.A. in Communication from San Diego State University and a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Melissa is the proud mother of Jack, 5, and Eva, 3 and loves teaching them and learning with them every day.
Keri Ross
Certified Facilitator
Keri was a crucial contributor to the development of The Presentation Lab. She began her career teaching Public Speaking and Communication courses at San Diego State University. She has now been facilitating presentation skills for Tamayo Consulting for over 5 years. Keri has a passion for teaching and has committed herself to the growth of others. Her favorite part about facilitating The Presentation Lab is seeing participants have their "aha" moments when they realize there is a better, easier way to create an effective presentation.
Keri was born and raised in San Diego and received her B.A. and M.A. in Communication from San Diego State University. Outside of work Keri spends time with her family, coaches volleyball and is involved with local non-profits.
Mario Tamayo
Certified Facilitator
Mario has been facilitating presentation skills programs for over 30 years. After overcoming a severe aversion to public speaking in college, he decided to help others use their energy to their advantage. Easy-to-work with, Mario has effectively coached people from public and private sectors—CEOs, board members, front line, small business owners, scientists, rabbis, and physicians. No matter if it’s a TED or keynote talk, business update, product pitch or sermon, his clients get desired results.
Mario has a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University. Married to Michele, they have a son (Geoff) and an Aussie (Bella). Mario regularly surfs at his home break in Cardiff, CA.