Three New Board Members

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is excited to announce the completion of its Board of Directors for 2016-2018 with the appointment of three new members. Joining the Board Members from #NAD2016, we are delighted to welcome Lisa Furr as the new Region IV Board Member, and Alicia Lane-Outlaw and Meena Mann as Appointed Board Members.

Lisa FurrLisa Furr considers herself a native of Tucson, Arizona after having lived there for most of her life.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies from Gallaudet University and holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Currently, she is an Account Manager for Hamilton Relay and manages seven states as well as the island of Saipan. She oversees Culture Training for all Hamilton Relay personnel. Lisa enjoys volunteering for various organizations and has served as an executive board member in the following capacities: President of the Arizona Association of the Deaf; President of Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf; Vice President and Secretary of Deaf Women United; and Chair of the Arizona Relay and Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Advisory Board.  Additionally, she served as a Commissioner on the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and participated on the Interpreter Licensure Committee. She is a strong advocate for improvingthe quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people. In her leisure time, Lisa and her wife, Heather, enjoy hiking, traveling, snorkeling, and exploring different cultures globally, and it’s a bonus if their pets can join!

Alicia Lane-OutlawAlicia Lane-Outlaw is a deaf business owner and president of AllOut Marketing, which connects unique communities with a comprehensive portfolio of services including marketing strategy, web/print design, and online marketing. Her nearly two decades of design and marketing experience include serving clients such as Bayer, Medtronic, Novartis, the State of Minnesota, American Society for Deaf Children, University of Minnesota, University of Washington, and NTID. In 2010, Alicia was recognized by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal as a Forty Under 40 honoree. A longtime community activist, Alicia has received numerous awards for her leadership. She successfully advocated for website accessibility laws in Minnesota, expanded the state’s longest-running deaf community news and events website, and spearheaded marketing efforts to launch a deaf charter school. In addition to serving on various arts- and health-related boards, she was elected president of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens and increased the association’s visibility. Alicia graduated cum laude from Lenoir-Rhyne University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a visual arts minor. A St. Paul resident, she enjoys humor, the outdoors, and involvement in the local community with her wife Susan and their daughter. She previously served as an appointed board member for 2014-2016, and is delighted to continue with the board.

Meena MannMeena Mann was born deaf and grew up in Vancouver, Canada. She is the only deaf member in a hearing family. She attended Gallaudet University and earned her BA in Psychology in 1993 and Ed.S. in Change Leadership in 2010. In 1996, she earned her MA degree in Deaf Education from McDaniel College. She completed her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership program at Western Kentucky University in 2016. Her area of emphasis for her Ed.D. was Organizational Leadership. Meena has been involved in leadership-related activities including: Nashville Chapter of Tennessee Association of the Deaf in 2008; NAD Leadership Training Conference in 2008; Deaf Women’s Leadership in 2009; and Gallaudet Leadership Training in 2010. Her experience includes providing consultations for local deaf organizations. Her passion is to share her expertise and knowledge in organizational leadership. Currently, Meena works as a Kentucky School for the Deaf Statewide Educational Resource on Deafness Consultant and is stationed at the Green River Regional Cooperative (GRREC).

At the 2016 NAD Conference on July 7, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, the conference delegates voted to elect for the term of 2016-2018: Melissa Draganac-Hawk as President, Joshua Beckman as Vice President, Jenny Buechner as Secretary, and Philippe Montalette as Treasurer.

Also elected were two new regional representatives for the next four years (2016-2020): Linsay Darnall, Jr., elected as the Region II Board Representative, joining 2014-2018 Region II Board Representative Richard McCowin; and Martin Price, elected as the Region IV Board Representative. Steve Lovi from Region I and Holly Ketchum from Region III were both re-elected to serve the next four years (2016-2010), joining Michelle Cline (Region I for 2014-2018) and Jerry Nelson (Region III for 2014-2018).

In Fall 2016, Sherri Collins Region IV Board Representative, asked to step down from the Board of Directors due to personal reasons. Lisa Furr is taking her place, and will join Martin as the 2016-2020 Region IV Board Representative.

For more information, you can explore the Board page of the NAD website.

The NAD expresses a tremendous amount of gratitude to Chris Wagner (2012-2016 President and 2006-2012 Vice President), Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke (2014-2016 Appointed Board Member), Sherri Collins (2014-2016 Region IV Board Representative), and David Reynolds (2012-2016 Region IV Board Representative) for their years of service and appreciates their enormous dedication to the NAD.

“The NAD depends on the work of the Board of Directors who volunteer their time for the deaf and hard of hearing community. They are quick to ensure that every decision of the NAD is aligned with the mission and vision of the NAD,” said President Melissa Draganac-Hawk. “I want to thank Chris Wagner, Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, Sherri Collins, and David Reynolds for many years of selfless dedication to the NAD — it is because of your support, this new term for the Board of Directors will continue our efforts for true equality.”