Meet Spertus Institute’s Two Newest Trustees

Headshots of two Spertus trustees, Amy Tuchler and Laurel Van Allen

Spertus Institute Welcomes Trustees Amy Tuchler and Laurel Van Allen

As it celebrates its centennial, Spertus Institute welcomes two new members to its Board of Trustees. Both bring a deep commitment to furthering Jewish education and to tikkun olam — repairing the world.

Amy Tuchler and Laurel Van Allen started their terms in July and join Spertus at an exciting time. Celebrating its centennial this year, Spertus has achieved countless milestones, becoming a center of deep Jewish learning with direct impact across the globe.

Spertus Institute is looking forward to its second century of impact, training leaders and thinkers who will guide the Jewish community, creating a strong, robust Jewish future.

“Spertus is fortunate to have a high functioning and dedicated Board of Trustees comprised of accomplished and exceptional lay leaders who help guide the important work of the Institute,” says Dr. Dean P. Bell, Spertus President and CEO. “We are delighted to welcome Amy and Laurel to the Spertus board, and we are excited for the essential work ahead!”

Amy Tuchler

Amy Tuchler brings her experience in nonprofit board work to Spertus Institute, alongside a deep commitment to Jewish education and public service.

“I think it’s important to contribute and to make the world a better place,” Tuchler says. “Working in the Jewish community is especially important to me. I love that Spertus makes a difference by developing Jewish learners and leaders who make an impact in their own communities across North America and the world.”

Tuchler has dedicated most of the past decade to serving in leadership roles at SHALVA. She currently serves on SHALVA’s executive committee as Secretary and previously held various leadership roles including President, Treasurer, and Governance Chair.

In addition, her nonprofit board experience includes six years as a Board Member of Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, including serving as President of the Sisterhood. Additionally, she has served on the Women’s Board of the Field Museum and the Women’s Board of Northwestern University.

In recent years, Tuchler has dedicated her time to Jewish charitable work and organizations. Tuchler earned a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University in the Department of Art and Archeology and a Master of Management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Laurel Van Allen

Laurel Van Allen brings a wealth of experience in economic consulting and strategic thinking to Spertus Institute, as well as a passion for Jewish education.

She is President of Coherent Economics, where she founded the company’s finance practice in 2014. With over 20 years of consulting, advisory, and expert experience, Van Allen has addressed economic issues in a wide range of litigation and regulatory proceedings. Her expertise includes analyzing economic evidence in financial markets, valuation, financial modelling, econometrics, antitrust, market manipulation, and damages.

Van Allen’s three children attend Jewish day schools. “I have focused a lot of my energies on cultivating a Jewish identity and education for my kids,” Van Allen says. “But it doesn’t stop there; it starts there. Adult education is especially meaningful to me. Spertus is central to that because of its focus on Jewish education, especially for students who will be navigating the challenges of the world today.”

“I am excited to contribute to Spertus by sustaining Spertus’s existing commitment to robust corporate governance processes, applying my expertise in economic reasoning to real-world issues, and aiding with new strategic initiatives that will further advance the Spertus mission to provide Jewish learning for a better world,” she says.

Van Allen earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Economics from the University of Chicago, and a BS in Economics with honors (minors in Mathematics and Political Science) from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

About Spertus Institute

Celebrating its centennial in 2024-25, Spertus Institute has explored the wisdom in Jewish thought, text, and experience and their relevance for today’s world and our shared future.

As an accredited institute of higher education, at its core are advanced degree and certificate programs through which students engage with Jewish ideas in the service of their personal and professional advancement.

These offerings are complemented by programs in an array of formats that provide avenues for people of all backgrounds and denominations to experience Jewish learning.