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 Alexis Kashar is the President of the Board of Trustees of the New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood). She is also the Public Policy Chair for the National Association of the Deaf. Alexis has been a civil rights and special education attorney since 1993 and is licensed to practice in NY, D.C., and California.
 @alexiskashar
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 Alok Doshi, MBA is a Product and Operations Manager for Health Insurance Marketplaces in the Government and a former Business Professor at Gallaudet University. He brings 15 years of experience working as an IT consultant, marketing analyst, and policy researcher.
@citybooks
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 Andrew Kirkpatrick is Group Product Manager for Accessibility at Adobe Systems. He represents Adobe on the FCC Video Programming Accessibility Advisory Committee; the United States Access Board Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Committee; and W3C accessibility working groups such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group and the Timed Text Working Group. In addition, Andrew and his team defines Adobe’s overall strategy for accessibility. He blogs about accessibility at http://blogs.adobe.com/accessibility and tweets occasionally.
@awkawk
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 Dr. Aviva Twersky Glasner has a M.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York. She is a tenured professor of Criminal Justice at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Dr. Twersky Glasner has written about the forensic need of deaf inmates and will be starting a research project about access and inclusion of deaf adults with the justice system; civil and criminal. |
 Barbara Earth is a research fellow, Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University and International Development Consultant. Barbara is late Deaf and had a career in international development before returning to the U.S. in 2007 to learn ASL. She attended Gallaudet for two years as a special grad student. Barbara is skilled in project planning, research, analysis and writing. She has background in gender and development studies and community health (HIV/AIDS) education. She has worked in Asia and Africa. |
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 Benro Ogunyipe is currently the President of the National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc., a leading advocacy organization for thousands of Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the United States. He received his Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from School of Public Service in DePaul University and a BA degree from Gallaudet University. He is in his second term as a Commissioner and current Vice Chair of the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Commission as appointed by the Governor. He is currently employed with the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services as Accessibility Specialist.
@naijabo
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 Beth S. Benedict, Ph.D., a Professor at Gallaudet University, is a Past President of the American Society for Deaf Children. She has provided numerous presentations at national and international conferences, schools and organizations, in addition to articles and chapters related to family involvement, early childhood education, advocacy, early communication and partnerships between deaf and hearing professionals. |
 Bruce Dunn has a BA degree from the University of Louisiana - Lafayette, and has extensive experience in serving the Deaf and Deaf-Blind communities. He was on the committee of the 2nd Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention in north Kansas City, Missouri. At this time, he is one of the administrators of the Facebook group, Deaf Trucker United (DTU). His favorite quote is: “Dream Big ~ Stay Positive ~ Believe in Yourself”. |
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 Brenda Palmigiano is one of the founders of the Facebook group Deaf Truckers United (DTU). She formed the social media group a year ago because she felt strongly that there is a need for all Deaf truckers across the nation to come together and discuss about their struggles with the Federal Medical Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations. She at that time was hoping that the group would lead the drivers to unite into a team in order to break down the barrier of audism. Brenda believes that audism is so prevalent in the real Trucking world and that the DTU and deaf people around the country need to educate many trucking businesses, news editors, and FMCSA officials that drivers do not need to hear or speak. She hopes that DTU will become somewhat of an ice breaker between the Deaf truckers and the USA citizens. According to the DTU group, there are approximately 80 Deaf truckers in the USA.
Brenda currently holds a CDL A license and hopes to become a shuttle bus driver one day. At this time, she is struggling with the NYS law under Section 19A that has the same FMCSA regulations which requires all truckers to have a certain level of hearing and speaking. For the last 5 years, Brenda spent time researching and found evidence of why the hearing and speaking regulations are not necessary. Today, she has a lot of evidence that even hearing people agree with her. For this reason, Brenda is challenging the FMSCA and NYS laws, pointing out that even hearing people can’t hear very well while driving a vehicle due to noise inside the cab and shuttle bus.
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 Brent Michael Houston joined FEMA in 2011 as a Regional Disability Integration Specialist. On this newly created position Mike works with disability advocates, state agencies and state emergency management to prepare citizens with disabilities and to ensure that FEMA’s programs are accessible to people with disabilities.
Prior to working with FEMA, Mr. Houston was a National Deaf Liaison and Director of Outreach for Deaf Link, specializing in bridging the communication gap between the hearing and deaf cultures. In June 2011 he was the first legally deaf individual to graduate from the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of America’s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program.
Mr. Houston lives in Atlanta, is married to Kari and has 2 daughters, Ciara and Ciann. He is also a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), was raised in a deaf home and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).
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 Chris Moreland obtained his M.D. in 2005 from the University of Texas (UT) at Houston Medical School (UTHSC) and completed his internal medicine residency and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He now is an Academic Hospitalist and Assistant Professor at UTHSC San Antonio. He has contributed to medical education for deaf and interpreters. |
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 Christian Vogler, Ph.D., is the Director of the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University. He is a Principal Investigator on the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telecommunications Access. Christian has extensively worked with consumer advocacy groups on telecommunications for the deaf and hard of hearing, emergency calling, and captioning.
 cvogler
 /cvogler
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 Prior to assuming his current role, Chris Wagner oversaw the Marketing and Business Video Solutions divisions at CSDVRS for 4 years. Previously, Chris served as the Executive Director or CEO of non-profit agencies serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Tampa Bay for several years. With a background in healthcare administration, he was responsible for the implementation and operation of the first assisted living facility and nursing rehabilitation facility for the deaf and hard of hearing in Florida. Instrumental in the creation of the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH), Chris was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush as the first member and Chairman of the Council.
He also currently serves or has served on numerous boards, which include stints as President of Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc. (FAD), Vice President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Vice Chair of the Governor's American with Disabilities Act Working Group (ADAWG), Member of the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act Advisory Board, State of Florida Disability Task Force for Emergency Preparedness, currently Chair of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Foundation Board and as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Prior to his election as FAD President, he served as the first president of the Florida Coalition for Disability Rights. Chris received several awards for his outstanding leadership and advocacy efforts on both state and national levels.
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 Claude L. Stout has served as Executive Director of TDI since January 13, 1997. He also serves as Chair of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network, a national coalition of twenty organizations representing deaf and hard of hearing citizens, and he is a member of the Federal Communications Commission Consumer Advisory Committee. Prior to joining TDI, Mr. Stout served for five years as Assistant Director for Community Affairs with the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, sixteen months as Executive Director of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf, ten years as Assistant Executive Director for Business Services of the National Association of the Deaf, and a year as Instructor in the Department of Business Administration at Gallaudet University.
He graduated from Gallaudet University in 1978 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration and again in 1980 with an M.B.A. degree in Management. He is married to the former Judy Cummings, and they have two children, Abby and Ty.
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 Cliff Moers is a 1986 graduate of Gallaudet University. Cliff has been involved in many community organizations and has served on numerous committees, task forces, councils and boards, including 4 years as Colorado Association of the Deaf (CAD) President. He is the founder of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, a bilingual charter school. Cliff has a diverse professional background including student services at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the coordination of auxiliary services at Communication Service for the Deaf/Sign Language Associates. He was also the employment specialist/consultant for the Center for People with Disabilities and Deaf-initely Possible Resources. Cliff is currently an administrator at the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. |
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 Colin Allen was recently elected President of the World Federation of the Deaf*. He has also been involved in various development co-operation projects all over the world and has led local and national deaf associations in Australia. Currently Mr. Allen serves as the Director of Services at the Deaf Society of NSW in Sydney and is responsible for delivery of services across five departments (Community Services, Adult Education, Employment, Interpreting Service and Advocacy & Community Development). Mr. Allen was raised in a deaf family in Sydney and graduated with a Diploma in Community Organisations from the University of Technology, Sydney. He is proud of both his granddaughter Hailey and his daughter Tara who is currently a BSL Interpreter in London.
*For more information about the WFD board, please visit http://www.wfdeaf.org/about/board
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 Corey Axelrod is an experienced internet marketing professional specializing in developing online and email marketing, advertising, and social media campaigns. He also consults companies in establishing and managing their online reputation through brand management strategies and campaigns. Axelrod is currently the owner of Synergetic Business Solutions, a a full-service digital marketing communications firm. Prior to Synergetic Business Solutions, Axelrod served as the digital marketing coordinator for Purple Communications, director of marketing and business development for Hager Productions and senior field sales manager for Vector Marketing. Axelrod earned his bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing and sales management from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Axelrod's website can be found at http://www.coreyaxelrod.com
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 Dan Brubaker is an international professional tour guide with Hands on Travel, where he is a partner. He has done deaf youth leadership trainings in Germany, Russia and Thailand, has served as one of two delegates to the World Congress of the WFD, and served on the NAD Board for six years.
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 Darlene Goncz Zangara obtained her Bachelor of Science in Deaf Education from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Arts in Counseling for the Deaf from Gallaudet University. She received her Ph.D in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She is currently CSD Senior Vice President of Human Services.
@dgzangara
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 David Bahar is the Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Convo Communications, a video relay service provider. Before he joined Convo, David worked for 8 years for Congressman Jay Inslee of Washington state, writing and analyzing legislation. With Congressman Inslee David was involved with, among other things, the Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). David currently lives in New York City with his wife, Jordan.
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 David Thacker Bowell is beginning his twelfth year as one of the Deaf mediators with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)’s Ethical Practices System (EPS). He is currently the principal of PS 347 – “47” The American Sign Language and English Lower School in New York City. He is also a past board member of the New York Deaf Theatre, Ltd. and currently consults with ASL interpreters for Broadway productions through the Theatre Development Fund and Hands On. He lives in Harlem with his husband, Jasper, and four cats. |
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 David Justice, a Co-Founder of Discovering Deaf World (DDW), currently serves as the International Programs Director. In the past five years, he has networked with over 250 Deaf schools/associations in fifty countries on behalf of DDW. Prior to DDW, Justice worked as an interpreter and job developer in Colorado, Oregon, and New York.
@ddw_team
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 Davin Searls is executive director of Discovering Deaf World (DDW). A fourth-generation Deaf person from Rochester, NY, he has served as DDWs executive director since 2008. Prior to this, he spent ten months teaching Deaf university students in China, and currently sits on the NAD International Committee. Searls has presented to audiences in China, India, the Philippines, and the USA.
@ddw_team
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 Dean DeRusso is the Deaf Systems Advocate for the Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL). Focusing on improving integration, inclusion, and civil rights, he has successfully built a network of people to focus on improving many systemic issues in the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing communities Dean has also worked on various of advocacy issues regarding the police, interpreters, captioning, employment and education. He is currently working with the Deaf Truckers United (DTU), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and federal and state legislators to overhaul the FMCSA regulations, so equitable and reasonable accommodation is provided for all Deaf truckers.
@ferretrex
/ferretrex
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 Dr. Denise Kavin is a Lecturer with the Department of Liberal Studies, and serves as Special Assistant to the President of NTID for Strategic Decisions 2020. She holds an Ed.D. in Leadership and Educational Policy Studies from Northern Illinois University, a M.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University, and a BA from Gallaudet University. She also holds certification from the Training Program on Administration of Programs serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late Deafened Adults at San Diego State University. |
 Dr. Donalda Ammons, born and raised in Washington D.C. and Professor Emerita at Gallaudet University, has served on national and international level organizations in various capacities. She continues to contribute as an author of numerous articles on Deaf culture and sports, published in various professional journals and books. Dr. Ammons has traveled to present papers and conduct workshops relating to human rights for deaf people, deaf sports, and political and educational leadership in more than 50 countries. |
 Donna Dahrouge is a Research Analyst at Health Research for Action, a center in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Project Manager for the Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (PERRC) funded by CDC. Donna has been involved in the Deaf community for many years and has a brother who is Deaf. Donna holds an MPH degree from the University of California - Berkeley. |
 Founded in 2008, Deaf Youth USA was borne out of the Deaf Youth’s desire for bottoms-up, grassroots advocacy organization, specifically serving the 42,000 young Deaf Americans. The organization advocates for the Deaf’s linguistic rights and social equality. They are committed to their vision by providing the Deaf youth with the needed leadership and tools, in order for the Deaf youth to find a political voice, become active community members and work together towards social equality through self-empowerment. |
 Ernest E. Garrett III is the Executive Director of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the immediate Past President of the National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc. Mr. Garrett received an associate’s degree and dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, in addition to earning advanced degrees in both administration and social work from Gallaudet University. Currently, he is a doctoral student at Walden University. |
 Elvia Guillermo, a native of Mexico, received her BS degree in computer information systems from Centro Universitario Guadalajara LAMAR in Mexico and her MA degree in Administration and Supervision from Gallaudet University. She has been the coordinator for Multicultural Student Programs (MSP) at Gallaudet University since 2003. Ms. Guillermo is a co-founder and member of the Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan DC Area, Inc and is Vice President of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing. |
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 Fred Weiner is currently Executive Director of Program Development at Gallaudet University. Part of his responsibilities include being responsible for Gallaudet's local and Federal government relations. Fred has nearly 25 years of successful advocacy at all levels of government.
Fred Weiner
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 In his fifth year at CPC Closed Captioning as the software technical developer, Giovanni Galvez has helped networks such as NBC Universal, Fox, Turner, and AMC Networks smoothly transit to HD closed captioning. He has given seminars and presentations at Apple headquarters in Reston, VA, Rochester Institute of Technology, and recently at the National Association of Broadcasters convention. In addition to working on TV closed captioning, he has also helped many government agencies such as the FDA and Social Security Administration add closed captioning to web videos. In the first quarter of 2011, he helped develop the first software to convert the formats of TV closed captioning to web video closed captioning. |
 Dr. Glenn Anderson, a native of Chicago, IL, earned his Ph.D. from New York University in 1982. An alumnus of Gallaudet University, he also earned his Master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Dr. Anderson is a faculty member in the Interpreter Education Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Prior to joining the UALR faculty, he served as Director of Training at the University of Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing located in Little Rock. Dr. Anderson was also Professor and coordinator of the University of Arkansas M.S. degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling with Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. He has previously served as chair of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees and second vice-chair of the National Council on Disability (NCD). Currently Dr. Anderson serves on the serving Board of Directors of National Black Deaf Advocates. |
 Geoffrey Runge started as a Claims Representative with the Social Security Administration in the Paducah, KY field office in 1999, and transferred to the Louisville, KY field office in 2003. Since 2009 he has been specializing in processing work reviews for people receiving Social Security Disability benefits. As Work Incentives Liaison, he often gives presentations on the topic of working while receiving Social Security Disability benefits to assist in educating the public on the various work incentives available. |
 Greg Hlibok has been serving as the Chief of the FCC's Disability Rights Office (DRO) since shortly after President Obama signed the CVAA legislation. He also has been instrumental on a wide array of disability matters in DRO since 2001. At the FCC, Greg has taken the lead in several key rulemaking proceedings on telecommunications access for people with disabilities, including reforming Video Relay Service. Greg lives in Ellicott City, MD with his wife and four children, and also serves as the board president of his alma mater, Lexington School for the Deaf. He is a graduate of Gallaudet University and Hofstra Law School. |
 Under Heidi Reed’s administration, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing launched strategic state agency and private sector partnerships to improve quality and accessibility in the arenas of workforce development, effective government, community connected services, and education for adults and children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing. Commissioner Reed has served at the state level with three Governors and has led two non-profit Deaf community based agencies. She is Deaf and holds a MA degree from Gallaudet University and a BA degree from William Smith College. |
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 Dr. Henry Klopping is Vice President of Large Accounts for Purple Communications. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as Superintendent of the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, California for 36 years where he led an internationally known school with an outstanding reputation for an ASL/English--Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural educational program. Dr. Klopping is a believer in Deaf people and the empowerment of Deaf people and at the California School for the Deaf he was instrumental in hiring and promoting many Deaf individuals. Currently 5 sitting superintendents of schools for the Deaf were mentored into becoming superintendents by Dr. Klopping. As part of his commitment to Education of the Deaf, Dr. Klopping continues to promote comprehensive educational programs for Deaf children. Dr. Klopping has served as President of the Conference of Educational Administrators Serving the Deaf and has been active in the California Association of the Deaf, the National Association of the Deaf, and other organizations.
He served on the National Commission of Education of the Deaf which prepared the 1988 COED Report to Congress and President of the United States. He has actively participated in Deaf History International and the World Federation of the Deaf. His presentation at this conference will focus on the importance of maintaining and promoting residential schools and large day programs for Deaf students. He and his wife, Bunny, are CODAs and maintain an active relationship with the larger Deaf Community.
@hankklopping
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 Jaclyn Vincent is an educator in the areas of Art Education, Deaf Education, Sign Language Teaching, and Early Intervention for Deaf Babies and Toddlers. She has worked with California Department of Education in creating a Parent Resource Guide e-manual for parents of newly identified deaf and hard of hearing babies and toddlers from ages 0-3, which is to be published on June 30, 2012. With her experience and knowledge working with deaf children while being a mother to a three-year-old daughter who is deaf, she seeks to make a difference in improving the quality of lives among Deaf children through education. She aims to get legislators to recognize the importance of early first language acquisition as a human right for all babies, and encourage parents to provide their deaf child with language-rich environment as well as appropriate education that is accessible to their child. |
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 James R. Brune is the Executive Director of the Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA), located in the San Francisco Bay Area. James has been with DCARA since 1999 holding the positions of director of Client Support Services, deputy director, and Interim CEO prior to his position as executive director. Mr. Brune is Deaf, holds a BA in Social Work from Gallaudet University and has 11 years of experience providing and supervising direct services to the Deaf community.
@jimbrune
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 Dr. Janet Dickinson is Executive Director of New York School for the Deaf, where she is the first woman to lead the school since its founding in 1817. Dr. Dickinson holds a Master’s degree in Deaf Education, a doctorate in Administration and Policy Studies in Education, and is author of the book titled, Deaf Education in America: Voices of Children from Inclusion Settings. |
 Jess Cuculick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Studies at the National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology and teaches foundations of sociology courses and a graduate course in NTID's secondary education program. She earned her Masters’ degrees at East Carolina University and NTID in social work and secondary education respectively. Currently, she is an EdD. candidate at the University of Rochester, working on her dissertation about deaf college students and Facebook. Most importantly, Jess enjoys learning from her two-year old twin sons! |
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 Jimmy Beldon, CDI, MA, has been a professional involved in the interpreting field on many levels. Jimmy is the co-owner of Keystone Interpreting Solution, a consulting and interpreter referral business. Additionally, he teaches at St. Catherine University in the Interpreter Education Program in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Beldon received his Master’s degree in Deaf Education with an ASL Specialty from Western Maryland College. He is a nationally renowned interpreter educator and a popular national presenter of workshops on a variety of topics. Jimmy has gained prominence as a certified deaf interpreter throughout the court system. He also provides consulting on issues of Deaf culture, communication needs, and working with deaf immigrants and/or refugees. Jimmy served on a national board for interpreters for eight years and continues to volunteer for the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (RID).
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 Jody Gill is the Director of Language, Cultural and Disability Services in a large academic medical center, a certified interpreter and an adjunct professor. Her work has included presenting at conferences about services for deaf and hard of hearing patients in medical and mental health settings. She also serves on the NAD Civil Rights Committee. |
 Joseph J. Murray has been involved with the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) since 1995. He spent four years apiece as Vice-President then President of the WFD Youth Section and is currently serving his third four-year term as a member of the WFD Board. Murray has given numerous lectures on Deaf Studies, the International Deaf Community, and Human Rights in over a dozen countries on five continents. Murray is Assistant Professor of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. A trained historian, Murray works within the fields of History and Deaf Studies. His research focuses on the position of Deaf people in society and transnational interconnections among Deaf people. His most recent publications have dealt with the concept of Deaf-gain. |
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 Judy C. Stout is a native of North Carolina and member of Lumbee Tribe. She works as a Student Enhancement Educator for Model Secondary School for the Deaf, with emphasis on coordinating student organizations in providing leadership development and training programs serving the high school students as well as other special projects. Judy graduated in 1986 with a Master of Arts in School Counseling, and in 1978 with Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Psychology, both from Gallaudet University.
She is among several contributing authors to "Step in the Circle" by Damara Paris and Sharon Wood and Circle of Unity: Pathways to Improving Outreach to American Indians and Alaska Natives who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing by Katrina R. Miller, in addition to writing numerous articles in publications as well as clippings. Judy provides consultation on education, information and referral on Deaf and Hard of Hearing American Indians. She Lives in Germantown, MD, is married to Claude L. Stout, and has two children, Abby and Tyler.
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 Karen Millsap is a native of Southern California. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor in science degree in Family and Child Studies and San Diego State University with a master of arts in Deaf Education. She taught American Sign Language at San Diego State University for six years and is currently teaching advanced ASL at Eastern Kentucky University under the American Sign Language and Interpreting Education department. She enjoys traveling and being an advocate for the Deaf community. She was a part of the first established Deaf foster home in San Diego, California; thus, Loving Hands Deaf Foster Homes was established in June 2006. Their mission was to develop a supportive and educational network system for foster parents of Deaf children where Deaf foster children could benefit from thriving and growing to their fullest potential from within loving, nurturing and stable foster homes. |
 Kathleen Beyer is the Staff Assistant for the Social Security Administration in Louisville, Kentucky. She has worked for Social Security for over 39 years, with the majority of that time as a Claims Representative. The Claims Representative is the position in every Social Security field office that takes and processes applications for monthly benefits and health insurance. For more than 4 years, she was the Field Representative in Louisville. A field representative is basically Social Security's liaison to the community. Her duties were varied, and included meeting with citizens, groups and governmental agencies to advance their knowledge of Social Security and its programs. For the last 10 plus years, she has worked as the Staff Assistant to the Manager of the Louisville District but is very happy to continue meeting with groups enhancing their knowledge of Social Security programs. |
 As Vice President, Kelby Brick leads Purple’s regulatory and strategic policy working to remove communication barriers. Prior to joining Purple, Kelby was Director of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center where he successfully mobilized the NAD in establishing precedents and landmark decisions in litigation, legislative and regulatory areas. |
 Ken Harrenstein is a Senior Software Engineer at Google whose businesscard says “Caption Jedi”. He is the lead developer responsible for the captioning technology in all of Google’s video services including YouTube, which serves billions of views daily with captions for millions of videos. Ken was heavily involved with Arpanet/Internet development in the early 1970s after graduating from MIT. He was a member of the Internet Engineering Task Force and has worked in various capacities at Transmeta, Oracle, and SRI International; in the latter incarnation he was instrumental in several projects related to telecommunications for the deaf, notably DEAFNET. Recently he has been serving on the FCC’s VPAAC, providing a few cents of advice regarding CVAA implementation.Ken has been totally deaf since age 5 and for too many years had no idea what people were saying on TV. The shows he now has the most trouble resisting are “Futurama” and “Mythbusters”. |
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 Kim Bianco Majeri, mom to two Deaf girls, worked up the corporate ladder to the lofty status of a stay at home mom with a MBA. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit organizations and corporate America, Kim's time is devoted to volunteering. Currently she is the past president of the Indiana School for the Deaf PTCO (Parent Teacher Counselor Organization) and a leader for the Indiana Deaf Education Coalition.
@biamaj
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 Khadijat Rashid is a Professor of economics at Gallaudet University. She served as a White House Fellow in 2010-11 and has done extensive research and presented widely on the employment and financial status of Deaf and hard of hearing people. |
 La Toya L. Plummer is a Maryland native, born and raised in Landover. A graduate of MSSD, she is currently working towards a BA in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Spanish. After graduation, her eyes are set on law school or perhaps a Masters in teaching. As a member of NBDA, NAD, DYUSA and WFDYS, La Toya hopes to instill variety of educational and social experience she would receive from each organization into a lifelong journey of giving back to the community, especially to the young people of color. “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X |
 Born completely deaf, Leah Katz-Hernandez had early exposure to sign language through her family. Building her career in its early stages through internships and volunteering, Leah shares an extensive personal experience in grassroots outreach, social media engagement, nonprofit management, and disability policy issues. Leah has earned her professional experience on political campaigns, at the Capitol Hill, at the White House, and on K Street. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Deaf Youth USA, sits on the AT&T Advisory Panel on Access and Aging, and recently finished her fellowship at the American Association of People with Disabilities as the 2011 HSC Foundation Youth Transitions Fellow. Leah is a mix of Mexican, Japanese, and Jewish American heritages. |
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 Leala Holcomb's passion for social justice started when she stopped eating meat when she was 13 years old. During her studies at Gallaudet, she established an environmental organization and obtained a degree in International Education and Development. Leala attended the 2012 Early Hearing Detection Intervention conference, which galvanized her passion for eradicating the notion that one is superior based on its hearing and speaking abilities; and for providing Deaf children full access to both languages - English and ASL. She has taught at a Deaf school in Thailand and has worked in the Office of Human Rights in Costa Rica. Leala is currently a graduate student studying Deaf Education, and is a Early Childhood teacher at California School for the Deaf.
@lealaholcomb
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 Lillian Garcia Peterkin was born to Puerto Rican parents in Connecticut and graduated from the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. She is the Communication and Outreach Coordinator of the National Interpreter Education Center, and instrumental in developing the Deaf Self-Advocacy Training (DSAT) Curriculum. Lillian received a Bachelor's degree in English/ASL Interpreting from Northeastern University and is a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI). |
 Lisa Kornberg has served as the Director of the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since April 2008, and has provided advocacy, technical assistance, program development and policy making services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind residents of Maryland for almost 30 years. Lisa received her B.S. from the University of Maryland and her M.Ed from George Mason University. She attended Gallaudet University as a Special Student from 1980 to 1982. Lisa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). She lives in Baltimore with her family and two dogs. |
 Lon Smith (now retired) drove trucks for 47 years and at age of 24, became an operator of several leased companies on the West Coast. Lon’s passion is to push for the FMCSA/DOT regulations to be changed so there is equitable and reasonable accommodation for our next generation for deaf truckers. He currently aims to be a mentor/trainer for upcoming deaf truckers. |
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 Luke Faxon-St. Georges is an Account Executive in the Affiliate Sales group at Disney and ESPN Media Networks. Luke is responsible for managing and negotiating the distribution of over 30 television, VOD, and broadband products and services for smaller cable operators. Since joining Disney and ESPN in 2005 as Sales Coordinator, Luke was promoted in 2007 to Account Executive. In the Account Executive role, Luke has closed over 100 contractual agreements generating millions of dollars in revenue for The Walt Disney Company.
Since 2008, Luke has also served as the Finance Chair for ESPN Enabled, one of ESPN’s ERGs (Employment Resource Groups). ESPN Enabled's mission is to create employee programs, content and outreach that support our employees with challenges, and employees who are touched by those with challenges; educate our employees and fans; entertain our fans, celebrate achievement, complement and support the effort of ESPN Corporate Outreach. One of Luke’s proud achievements was setting up the first American Sign Language class offered to ESPN employees.
Luke is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business – Marketing and a minor in Communications.
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 Marla Hatrak is co-chair of California Stakeholders for ASL & English (CAL-SAE – yestoasl.com). She is currently employed at DawnSignPress (DSP) as production coordinator and University of California San Diego (UCSD) as a researcher/lab manager. Marla is also one of the co-founders of Alliance for Language and Literacy for Deaf Children (ALL for Deaf Children).
@marlahatrak
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 Matthew O’Hara, M.S., CI and CT, NAD IV, CAE, is the Acting Executive Director at the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) national office. He has a Master’s degree in Administration from Gallaudet University. Matthew, who has more than thirteen years of association management experience, is an active member in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), currently serving on the ASAE Professional Conduct Committee. He holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE. Matthew has administered the RID Ethical Practices System for the past 10 years. He is staff liaison to the Ethics Committee and is a trained mediator. |
 Following Mohandas K Gandhi's saying, "be the change you want to see in the world," and armed with a BA in Communication Studies from Gallaudet, Megan Malzkuhn is a passionate activist and have been involved with Deaf Youth USA since its inception. Currently residing in Oakland, CA, she also moonlights as a freelance graphic designer and a server at Mozzeria, a deaf-owned pizzeria in San Francisco. In her spare time, she enjoys great food, attention from dogs, and thought-provoking discussions. |
 Michelle Niehaus, LCSW is the Program Administrator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) within the Division for Behavioral Health (DBH). Through collaboration, training, advocacy, and outreach, she strives to create a linguistically and culturally affirmative system of mental health care in the state. Michelle previously worked as a therapist with Seven Counties Services, Inc. coordinating their mental health program and at Deaf Network in Indiana as a clinician. She is currently the President-Elect of ADARA. |
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 As National Director of Sprint Relay, Mike Ellis is responsible for nationwide domestic and international telecommunications relay services, including traditional land line (711), wireless, CapTel, relay conference captioning, internet and video relay applications. He also leads a senior management team that is responsible for strategic planning efforts, sales, product and marketing plans in all 50 states and international markets.
Mr. Ellis earned his B.A. from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas and an M.A. from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. As an advocate in the area of accessibility and diversity, he was recently awarded Sprint’s Legend Award – Diversity Leadership. He currently serves on the Foundation Board for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University’s Board of Associates. An avid outdoorsman, golfer, and motorcycle enthusiast, he resides in Broomfield, Colorado with his wife and three children.
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 Nancy Bloch is president of Touchpoint Group, a management and technology consulting enterprise in Maryland; she also serves as Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer for Snap!VRS. Many know Nancy from her previous role as Chief Executive Officer of the NAD from 1992 to 2011.
@njbloch
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 Naomi Black works on improving accessibility in Google products. A member of the engineering team and an external advocate for accessibility work, Naomi also works on captions for YouTube and Google's video products.
 /naomib
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 Nathan W. Kester was born deaf in Seoul, Korea, and at age 3 he was adopted by Deaf parents living in a small farm town in Illinois. He attended the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD), the same school as his parents, graduating at the top of his class, followed by Gallaudet University for his first year in college. He then transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology to study computer science, receiving a B.S. degree in Information Sciences. His first job was working for Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. He later was hired by Google as a datacenter technician. Nathan continued to improve his computer skills, learning about web development, which led to his next position at Google - webmaster. In total, Nathan has been employed by Google for seven years and he is now a lead web developer in Google Apps and Google AdWords. |
 Nathie Marbury is an American Sign Language professor at Austin Community College in Texas; she completed her doctorate in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education in 2007. Nathie has given numerous workshops, presentations and performances across the country over the last four decades. |
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 Nick Pezzarossi is currently a Human Resource Specialist with the Federal Government in Washington, DC. Nick has worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Miami, Florida and as a Career Counselor at Gallaudet University before moving to his current position which focuses on recruitment and placement. He is also serves as a vice president for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government (www.dhhig.org).
@nickpezz
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 Norman Williams, BA in Computer Science, is a Senior Research Engineer in the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet. He invented the popular Futura-TTY software, developed various text/video applications for relay companies, and researched a videophone firewall white paper and shared it with federal agencies. He invented patent-pending Real Time Text for AIM.
@chatwithnorm
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 Pamela Whitney, CI and CT, SC:L, has been privileged to serve the Deaf community for more than twenty years as an interpreter, teacher, mentor and mediator. For the last sixteen years, Pam has served as an adjudicator then mediator for RID’s Ethical Practices System for cases involving the code of professional conduct. Pam has also served as a custody mediator for family court. She holds degrees in education, interpreting, Deaf education, linguistics and law. Pam is honored to be at NAD working toward better understanding and better service experiences for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing community members. |
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 Peggy Prosser is the Chairperson of the NAD International Sub-Committee (NADISC). She has a MA in International Development. Prior to her role as chairperson, she was an intern at NAD where she researched NAD's international participation; developed a chronicle of NAD and WFD's collaborations; and wrote the NADmag January/February 2009 article, Unlocking Disabled People's Rights. Peggy's understanding about international participation is reinforced by her own experience having lived and worked in Japan for 17 years. She has also taught international business, economic development and sign languages at academic institutes in Washington DC and Rochester, New York. Today she works as independent contractor in international development and travel.
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 Philip W. Bravin is currently President of the Lexington School/Center for the Deaf Board of Trustees. He was a former board member and chairman of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees for 20 years. He is also a member of the Vermont Center Board of Trustees which oversees the Austine School for the Deaf.
@champvermont
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 Rachel Benedict is a Masters' student in Applied Linguistics at Boston University after having obtaining a Bachelor’s from Gallaudet University in 2011. Rachel works in the Center on the Study of Communication and the Deaf as a graduate research assistant. She also produced the video, Early Intervention: the Missing Link.
@rmbenedict
Rachel Benedict
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 René Pellerin was born in Quebec, Canada and moved to Vermont at a young age. He graduated from Austine School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University. René, his brother, two aunts and an uncle have Usher Syndrome. His life’s work has included employment at DEAF, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts as State Coordinator for the Deaf in Vermont for total of 17 years. Rene’s last four years of work were as the Coordinator for Northern Vermont for Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He was instrumental in the passage of laws supportive of the Deaf Community and Vermont interpreters. His community outreach and service is well known in the state and he is long recognized by his deaf peers as a sought after storyteller for Deaf Club social gatherings and ASL skit nights. |
 Ryan Di Giovanni is an experienced traveler, having been to over 50 countries around the globe. He has represented the NAD and DYUSA at the 2007 and 2011 World Federation of the Deaf Youth Camps. He currently calls Jupiter, Florida his home when not traveling the globe as an Aviation Consultant. With a BA in International Studies from Gallaudet University, he stays involved with International Issues surrounding Deaf people globally. His free time is enjoyed trying unusual cultural delicacies in different countries while learning their own sign language, and promoting Human Rights to improve the lives of Deaf people worldwide. |
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 Ryan Maliszewski is a Strategic Advisor with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Management, Ryan began his career working on Capitol Hill where he worked for a United States Senator, then with the Appropriations Committee. Prior to joining the FBI, Ryan worked for Booz Allen Hamilton as a Senior Consultant working on several federal government contracts to include the Department of Homeland Security. Ryan's professional expertise includes strategic planning, business process reengineering, financial/budget analysis, project and organizational management. In his spare time, Ryan dabbles as a beer consultant and bloggist for www.thebeerauthority.com and enjoys doing business consulting for various organizations, investing, travel, and organized sports.
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 Sarah Houge is an international development trainer and consultant. Sarah received her MA in International Development from Gallaudet University and worked with WFD in their Human Rights and Capacity Building Project in West/Central Africa as a trainer in ten countries of the region. Sarah continues to work with other grassroots organizations and provides various consulting services locally and abroad. |
 Dr. Scot Atkins is a faculty member at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) at NTID. He recently earned his Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota with a dissertation topic on, “Exploring the Lived Experiences of Deaf Entrepreneurs/Business Owners”. Scot was previously the Director of organizational development and HR for Interpretek. For ten years prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of human resources for Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). Atkins earned both his Bachelorʼs and Masterʼs degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. |
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 Seth Bravin is a strategic industries program manager with IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center. IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center is a recognized world leader in creating technology and business innovations that support human ability and accessibility. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Gallaudet University and went to business school at Cornell University for his MBA. Seth testified before the US Senate about higher education and employment for deaf and hard of hearing people. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Lexington School for the Deaf.
@sbravin
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 Shannon Reese is the Deaf Services Coordinator for the state with the Alabama Department of Mental Health. She previously worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Deaf in Region II/Birmingham area. She has worked as a Resource Trainer for the CAPE-D/HH (Center for Abuse Prevention and Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing children) and has provided training to various schools/programs serving deaf and hard of hearing children. Shannon holds a certification as a National Certified Counselor and serves as co-coordinator for Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) for the department. She received her BA in psychology from the University of Georgia and her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. Shannon is also pursuing her certification as a deaf interpreter.
/reesesha
reesesha
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 Sherri Collins is the Executive Director of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, a position she has held since May 1998. As the Commission’s chief executive officer she advocates, strengthens and implements state policies affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and their relationship to the public, industry, healthcare and educational opportunities. Prior to moving to Arizona, Sherri was an administrator for five years at the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She was also the Assistant Director of the Gallaudet University Regional Center at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Sherri has a bachelor of science degree in Child Development from Gallaudet University, Washington, DC. and a Master’s in Education in Adult Education/Organizational Development from North Carolina State University. |
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 Born in Bangalore, Smitha Hanumantha recently graduated from Gallaudet University with a Master’s in Administration and Supervision. As a deaf Indian woman, she found her calling while working with deaf youth in developing countries through Global Reach Out Initiative. She found her dream job in Ashoka, serving with Fellowship Support Services. In her spare time, she is seeking the answer to life’s many profound questions while enjoying all things fashion and culinary!
smitha.hanumantha
@thezenobias
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 Sonny Wasilowski is a Governor Dayton appointed board member for the Minnesota State Academies serving 2011-2015 term. In his letter to the Governor prior being appointed, he shared that there is a child count of over 2,400 deaf children from the age of 0 - 21 in Minnesota. He wishes to see the Minnesota State Academies to serve each students in every avenues available from approximately 210 deaf and blind children being served at the Minnesota State Academies. |
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 Stacy Gainok was born in Indiana and raised primarily in California. She holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. Stacy provided clinical therapy for four years prior to taking DeafHope’s training to become a certified Domestic and Sexual Violence provider for Deaf survivors.
@sosweetstacy
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 Steven A. Florio, M.S. serves as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RI CDHH) since 2002. He currently serves as President of the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NASADHH). He held many leadership positions for nonprofit organizations and agencies, all local, state, and national levels including National Association of the Deaf Fulton III Chairperson (2004-2006), PA School for the Deaf for 12 years, and PA Society for the Advancement of the Deaf as President for 4 years. Florio received his BS degree in Accounting from Gallaudet University. He received a Master’s in Leadership and Non Profit Management from Northeastern University.
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 As an assistant professor at the National Technical Institute of the Deaf in Rochester, New York, Dr. Susan Lane-Outlaw teaches graduate classes in the Master of Science in Secondary Education (MSSE) program. Her professional interests include content literacy, ASL/English bilingual education, language and literacy development, formative assessment, and children’s and adolescent literature. Prior to joining NTID, she served as the curriculum and bilingual coordinator at Minnesota North Star Academy and Metro Deaf School located in St. Paul, Minnesota. |
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 Tara Holcomb, a California native, is an advocate with DeafHope working directly with Deaf survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. She has a degree in Psychology from Gallaudet University and has been involved with many grassroots activism initiatives. She has taken DeafHope's training to become a certified Domestic and Sexual Violence provider.
@tara_holcomb
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 Terrylene Sacchetti is the founder of Clerc’s Children Inc., advocating early dual language for optimal language acquisition and language rich environment in the home setting (0-3.) She is a producer, director, actress, Curriculum Director: Instructional, Curriculum and Training Designs, and a parent of deaf children. Terrylene is generous with her time, her talent, and commitment to designing an effective programming on Clerc's Children's E-learning website for families with deaf toddlers (0-5) online.
@terrylene
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 Thuan Thi Nguyen emigrated from her native Vietnam at the age of 10 without any spoken, written, or signed language. Ms. Nguyen earned her BA degree in Deaf Studies from Gallaudet University in 2000 and her MA degree in Deafness Rehabilitation Counseling from New York University (NYU) in 2002. She has presented nationally and internationally on race, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Ms. Nguyen served as program coordinator for the National Deaf People of Color Conference in 2010; co-founded the Deaf Women of Color organization; directed the Asian and Pacific Islander Deaf Student Collegiate Leadership Institute during the NADC conference; and was previously appointed to the National Association of the Deaf board. She was also the first woman president of the Greater Washington Asian Deaf Association, a chapter of NADC, and was recently selected the president of the National Asian Deaf Congress (NADC). Currently, Ms. Nguyen is diversity fellow for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and is co-chair of the 2013 National Deaf People of Color Conference at Gallaudet University. |
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 Trudy Suggs helped edit the online self-advocacy course and has served on numerous boards, including the NAD. She received the 2008 Gallaudet University Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumnus Award and the NAD CEO’s Award. She also was a 2009 recipient for a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award.
@tswriting
/tswriting
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 Van Nelson, Junior has always wanted to be a trucker since he was 10 years old. He rode in a Chevy dump truck that belonged to a friend of the family and ever since, Van set the goal to become a trucker. When he got out of high school, Van tried to get his CDL license in Nacogdoches, Texas, but the DPS office refused to allow him to obtain one because of his deafness. Van was very frustrated and decided to pursue a different career - welding. Later on, he moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and heard there was a trucking school there at Vernon College. Van tried again, passing his physical with a hearing level of 40 dB and was accepted into the trucking program.
After one week of training, his class went to the DPS office to take the General Knowledge test. The DPS office there would not allow Van to take the test because he did not pass the whisper test even though Van showed them his medical card. He was so furious that he called the DPS headquarters in Austin, Texas and contested his non-eligiblity to take the CDL test. They called the sergeant in Wichita Falls, and fortunately the DPS office and Van were then able to work things out. He finally finished his trucking school with the help of his classmates and instructors. He passed his CDL test in September of 2006.
Currently, Van owns his own construction business operating bulldozers, backhoes, tractors, and even do some welding. He also subcontracts with other businesses hauling things for them such as concrete plants, blocks, oilfield equipments, etc. Van also owns a 1987 Peterbilt and plan on using it for more trucking jobs around Wichita Falls and surrounding areas.
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 Virginia L. Moore, Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) and DeaFestival-Kentucky Coordinator, has worked in partnership with the deaf and hard of hearing community all her life and grew up in a predominantly deaf family. She began her career at KCDHH in 1995 and served in many capacities before becoming Executive Director in 2009. She has been influential in many of the agency’s programs, especially in providing wireless devices to consumers, coordinating interpreter services for state agencies and providing advocacy for 647,000 constituents. She holds interpreter certifications from NAD, RID and NIC. |
 Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen was elected Vice President (2011-2015) of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) at the General Assembly prior to the 2011 World Congress of the WFD in Durban, South Africa. During 2007 to 2011 she served as a WFD board member and was the President of the WFD Organising Committee, in preparation for the recently held World Congress of the WFD.
Newhoudt-Druchen is now in her third term as elected member of Parliament for the Republic of South Africa (2009 -2014). She sits on two parliamentary committees – Portfolio Committee Communications (PCC) AND Portfolio Committee International Relations and Co-operation. In the PCC , which oversees the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), she focuses on lobbying for access to television. Her parliamentary time is divided between committee meetings, plenary sessions, oversight visits and constituency relations.
During her second term (2004 -2009), Newhoudt-Druchen served as Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring Committee on the improvement of quality of life of children, youth and disabled people. In this role, she chaired Parliament Committee meetings that led to South Africa ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007.
As President of the Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA), Newhoudt-Druchen is also involved in OSISA (Open Society Initiative for Southern South Africa) which provides leadership and advocacy training in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia and Lesotho Through her Parliament work she continue to lobby for full access for deaf people, especially access to television.
Newhoudt-Druchen received an honorary doctorate from Gallaudet in 2009, during which time she served as commencement speaker for the second time. She is married to Bruno Druchen, the National Director of DeafSA, and they have two children. |
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 Windell "Wink" Smith Jr. takes his passion with him across the United States to promote American Sign Language, Deaf rights, humorous comedy shows and a solo drama show. In addition, he is currently field testing his new approaches to ASL acquisition and teaching paradigm.
@winkasl
/winkasl
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