Rogelio Fernández Mota is Vice President of Access Services at Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), leading strategy, operations, and growth for interpreting, VRI, captioning, and on-demand access services nationwide. A 30-year CSD veteran, he focuses on expanding coverage, strengthening workforce readiness, building partnerships, and advancing sustainable, Deaf-centered communication access at scale.

Cameron Papazis, MBA, is a Business Development Manager at Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), expanding Direct Video Calling (DVC) through partnerships with organizations and agencies. She helps clients implement accessible communication solutions that enable deaf and hard of hearing individuals to connect directly and effectively, improving real-world customer interactions.

Millicent Musyoka, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education at Lamar University. She holds a doctorate in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University. Her research interests include early language and literacy development in Deaf children, Deaf learners with multiple disabilities, Deaf multilinguals, and Deaf teacher education.

Joshua Mendelsohn, J.D., is an Attorney Advisor with the FCC’s Disability Rights Office, advancing accessibility in video, communications, and emergency services. He serves as Co-Designated Federal Officer of the FCC’s Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee. He previously held leadership roles with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Suzy Rosen Singleton, J.D., is Chief of the Disability Rights Office within the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Since 2016, she has led rulemaking and stakeholder efforts to ensure accessibility of emergency communications, modern technologies, and video programming for people with disabilities. Her career spans disability policy roles with the National Association of the Deaf, U.S. Department of Education, Gallaudet University, and the U.S. Department of State.

Keven Poore, M.A., CASAC II, CDI is the Director of Substance and Addiction Intervention Services for the Deaf (SAISD) at NTID. He has been in that role since 2017. He received his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University and has provided mental health and chemical dependency services for 35 plus years. Keven is also a Certified Deaf Interpreter.

Wink, Ph.D., NIC-Master, is an interpreter, educator, and assistant professor at Gallaudet University. He presents internationally and researches interpretation through cognitive linguistics and depiction. A former RID Certification Council member and CIT board member, he received the NAD Outstanding Service Award and has delivered 2,800+ hours of CEU training.

Rosemary Wanis, Ed.D., MSW, CDI, holds degrees from Gallaudet University and a doctorate from CSU Fresno. She trains interpreters using the NCIEC Deaf Interpreter Curriculum, teaches at multiple colleges, works with the Center for Atypical Language Interpreting, and serves as Secretary of the RID Board of Directors.

Susan Mather, Ph.D, earned her doctorate in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown University and is a retired professor from the Department of Linguistics at Gallaudet University. Her research has focused on visual communication, discourse strategies in signed languages, and accessibility in interpreted environments. Dr. Mather has conducted extensive research on split attention strategies and their impact on Deaf learners and audiences.

Janice L. Smith, Ed.D., is the Deaf Education Graduate Coordinator and Associate Professor in the Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies Department at California State University, Fresno. Dr. Smith previously served as Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Deaf for two years and as a school administrator at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside for 13 years.

Allysa Dittmar, MHS, is a Deaf public health professional with over a decade of experience advancing systemic healthcare equity. She currently leads DeafHealth to prioritize culturally responsive care and eliminate health disparities. Her impactful career includes leadership roles in the private sector, state government, and academia, driving public policy and accessibility initiatives for the Deaf community.

Bee Oliver, M.Ed, CSE, CDI, is a Deaf educator, Certified Sexuality Educator, and Certified Deaf Interpreter dedicated to accessible teaching and community advocacy. With over a decade of experience across healthcare and community settings, Bee works to strengthen language access and ensure deaf individuals can make informed, autonomous decisions about their care.

Jonathan M. Davis, M.A., CPWIC, ACRE, is a Vocational Rehabilitation practitioner and owner of a service provider company specializing in benefits counseling and employment supports. He is a doctoral student in Critical Studies in the Education of Deaf Learners whose research examines disability policy, special education law, and critical perspectives in Deaf education and service systems.

Janeva Mosher, B.S., is Pantry Manager at Rochester Deaf Kitchen, directing operations of the Deaf Community Food Pantry and helping advance a Deaf led model addressing food insecurity in Deaf communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and Inclusive Leadership from Rochester Institute of Technology

Zachary Ennis is Founder and Executive Director of Rochester Deaf Kitchen, leading a Deaf-centered effort advancing food security, health equity, and systems change. Through the Deaf Community Food Pantry and cross-sector partnerships, his work has helped deliver over 700,000 lbs of food to the Deaf community in under three years while building trusted, language-driven, community-led access models.

Antony A.L. McLetchie is Superintendent and CEO of Rochester School for the Deaf, NY. He previously served with Ontario’s Provincial Schools Branch and has 31+ years in education as a teacher, vice principal, and principal. He sits on the boards of CEASD, NCDHR, and NTID Foundation, is Co-Chair of the 4201 Schools Association, and mentors new administrators.

Diedre Tanenberg, B.A., works at the intersection of climate resilience, public policy, and Deaf community leadership. She serves as Policy & Public Affairs Assistant Coordinator at the San Francisco Environment Department and is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf’s Disaster Risk Reduction Expert Group. She has presented internationally and previously served on the California Association of the Deaf Board.

Fred Michael Beam is a Deaf actor, choreographer, director, and visual artist. He co-founded the Wild Zappers and expanded Deaf performance through ASL, movement, and storytelling. One of the first Black Deaf actors to perform major roles, he is a former president of the National Black Deaf Advocates and now serves as Transition Coordinator at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

David Strom is a transformational leader and RIT alumnus (B.S. Manufacturing Engineering; M.S. Career and Human Resource Development), David has dedicated his career to empowering the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. With a professional background spanning leadership roles at RIT/NTID, Sprint, and Gallaudet University, he focuses on institutional growth and expanding academic and career opportunities.

Earl Allen, B.A., is a Research Coordinator at the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR) and a member of the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Implementation Study Team. His work supports the nationwide implementation of DWW and project communications. He previously worked on the New York State Deaf Health Survey and holds a sociology degree from Gallaudet University.

Kelly Matthews, MPH, is a Research Coordinator with the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR). She brings over 15 years of experience in community-engaged research with Deaf communities. Kelly earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Rochester and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from NTID at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Amy C. Williamson, Ph.D., SC:L, Ed:K-12, CI, CT is Head of Interpreting Operations at BondVRS and an interpreter, educator, and researcher with 30+ years in the field. A Coda with deep roots in Deaf communities, her work examines how policy, interpreter practice, and systems shape Deaf access and engagement in education.

Liann Osborne, Ed.D., is Director of Employment Services at CSD Works and a leader in accessible employment services for Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, DeafDisabled, and multiply marginalized communities. She specializes in equity-centered workforce development, cultural humility, belonging, and systems change that moves access into practice.

Stefanie Amiruzzaman, Ph.D., is ASL/Deaf Studies Coordinator and Assistant Professor at West Chester University. She teaches ASL and holds a Ph.D. in Evaluation and Measurement, an M.Ed. in Deaf Education, and a B.A. in ASL from Kent State University. She has taught at Akron, Kent State, Princeton, and Ball State, and is a certified member of ASLTA.

Sheila Jacobs, MFT, is a signing family counselor from a multigenerational Deaf family. She co-led the first international CODA Conference (1986) and has 35+ years supporting families of deaf children. She developed the “Sign and Dine” approach and a Signing Family Assessment Tool, and co-created sibling retreats and an EHDI-published communication toolkit with her Deaf sister.

Tina Gonzales Childress, Au.D., CCC-A, is an audiologist, advocate, and Director of Accessibility at InnoCaption, bridging audiology, accessibility, and lived experience. A late-deafened adult with bilateral cochlear implants and ASL fluency, she connects Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing communities. She is an international presenter and expert in assistive technology.

Marla Hatrak, Ph.D., holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Policy, Leadership, & Management. A lifelong advocate for language and literacy for Deaf children, she has led efforts at local, state, and national levels. She is Educational Policy Consultant for the National Association of the Deaf, focusing on EHDI and its impact on K–12 education, and co-edited The Road to Kindergarten Readiness (2017).

John Koste, B.A., is an operations leader with 26+ years supporting the disability community across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. He serves as Office Manager for the San Francisco Office on Disability and Accessibility, overseeing operations and advancing accessibility and inclusion across city programs, policies, and services.

Emily Queliza serves with the San Francisco Police Department in the Office of the Chief of Police, supporting policy development and community-focused initiatives. Her work advances equitable practices, strengthens community relationships, and promotes accessibility, accountability, and public trust.

Daniel McLaughlin is an officer with the San Francisco Police Department’s Working Policy Group in the Policy Development Division, contributing to policy review and development. His work focuses on transparency, research-informed practices, and aligning policy with community needs.

Asja Steeves is a civilian policy leader at the San Francisco Police Department, where she develops and oversees department policies, technology use, and compliance efforts. She has also served as Special Assistant to the Chief of Police and works closely with oversight bodies, including the San Francisco Police Commission.

Cynthia J. Norman, a nationally certified ASL interpreter with nearly 40 years of experience, is the founder of Collaborative Assets LLC, doing business as TacComCI. She develops training for interpreters and public‑safety partners that strengthens communication access, reduces the burden on Deaf people, and improves law‑enforcement first‑contact interactions.

Rosalinda Clifford, M.A., is a Coda, interpreter, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) ASL high school teacher committed to communication equity. A former Program Manager and Interpreter Trainer at Sorenson, her master’s research examines Deaf and Coda perceptions of Coda leadership. She invites participants to explore Humphries’ challenge: moving beyond “How are we different?” to “How are we being?”

Thomas K. Holcomb, Ph.D., is a retired professor with over 30 years teaching Interpreting, Deaf Culture, and Deaf Education at Ohlone College, San José State University, and RIT. His work centers on Deaf Culture and Deaf-Centered Interpreting. He edited Deaf Eyes on Interpreting, authored multiple books, and has presented in 45 states and internationally.

Darlene Zangara, Ph.D., LPC, ACC, is a nonprofit and government leader with expertise in program and board development and executive leadership. She serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. Dr. Zangara holds a B.S. from Bowling Green State University, an M.A. from Gallaudet University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She is also a coach, consultant, and mediator known for “strong leadership with soft power.”

Erika Bergeron, MPH, is Research Manager at the Center for Deaf Health Excellence (CDHE) at Gallaudet University. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Education from UTHealth Houston. She supports an NIH-funded clinical trial on community health navigators and cancer screening and oversees ASL-focused Community Health Worker training materials, centering DDBHH perspectives in public health research.

Donalda Ammons, Ed.D., Professor Emerita at Gallaudet University, collaborates with the Center for Deaf Health Excellence (CDHE). The CDHE received a $4.4M U01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve cancer prevention in the DDBHH community. Dr. Ammons is a co-investigator on this and other health research initiatives.

Aimee Chou co-authored Part B: Technical Specifications in CoSET’s evaluation toolkit series. A University of Washington graduate, Aimee works in non-profit arts administration and playwriting in addition to sign language recognition (SLR) demos, testing/validation, and data collection initiatives for DeepSign AI, a Deaf-led startup which built an AI ASL chatbot for 360 Direct Access launch at CES.

Jeff Shaul is a Deaf backend engineer building sign language–first systems that prioritize accessibility, trust, and scalable design. At Sign-Speak, he develops production systems where accessibility is a core design constraint. His background spans machine learning, large-scale data systems, and bioinformatics, with a focus on ethical data use. He co-founded GoSign.AI and contributes to ethical AI frameworks through CoSET.

Stephanie Jo Kent is an action researcher in communication, interpreting, and social change, and founder of the Learning Lab for Resiliency®. She holds degrees in ASL Studies and Interpreting, is Certified (1998), and earned a Master’s in Social Justice Education and a Ph.D. in Communication from UMass Amherst. Her work advances language justice and communication equity in policy, law, and intercultural relations.

Thomas Devine, M.S., is a lecturer at NTID in the Master of Science in Deaf Education program. He previously taught social studies at the Rochester School for the Deaf and holds a degree in Secondary Education from NTID. He is committed to inclusive, student-centered learning and supports student success through mentorship.

Topher Ávila, Ph.D., BEI, RID, is a filmmaker, Deaf Interpreter, organizer, curriculum developer, and writer. Rooted in his LSM/ASL Deaf familia, his work is informed by Abolition, Disability Justice, and Language Justice. He holds a MASLED from Gallaudet and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech, and has worked as an interpreter since 2016.

Rosemary Wanis, Ed.D., MSW, CDI, holds degrees from Gallaudet University and a doctorate from CSU Fresno. She trains interpreters using the NCIEC Deaf Interpreter Curriculum, teaches at multiple colleges, works with the Center for Atypical Language Interpreting, and serves as Secretary of the RID Board of Directors.

Tawny Holmes Hlibok, J.D., is an associate professor of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University and a 2024–2025 White House Fellow focused on disability policy and language access. For over 20 years, she has worked in Deaf education, including policy analysis, language planning, and advocacy for Deaf children and families.

Tina K. Caloud, Ph.D. Candidate, is a Deaf educational leader and advocate with over 25 years of experience in Deaf education. She has served in school and statewide leadership roles and is completing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Drake University. Her work centers on bilingual ASL–English education, language access, and collaboration with the Deaf community.

Craig Radford is CEO & Cofounder of 360 Direct Access, advancing sign language access and communication technology. With over 25+ years of experience and four business exits, he helped pioneer VRS, VRI, and Direct Video Calling. In 2026, he earned a Top 5 CES Accessibility Innovation Award. 360 is shaping the future of accessibility with AI, avatars, and robots.

Diedre Tanenberg, B.A., works at the intersection of climate resilience, public policy, and Deaf community leadership. She serves as Policy & Public Affairs Assistant Coordinator at the San Francisco Environment Department and is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf’s Disaster Risk Reduction Expert Group. She has presented internationally and previously served on the California Association of the Deaf Board.

Alina Engelman, DrPH, MPH, is an Associate Professor at California State University, East Bay, focusing on public health, disability justice, and emergency preparedness. She is Interim Co-Director of CSUEB’s Center for Disability Justice Research. Her research examines disability, health disparities, and how risk and uncertainty shape emergency communication.

Sam Sepah is a global AI accessibility leader and Lead AI Accessibility Research Program Manager at Google. He co-founded Sign Language Research at Google, delivering SignGemma, and was an early member of the NAI initiative. Formerly the only culturally Deaf HR leader in the Fortune 500, Sam now chairs the WFD AI Taskforce and Atomic Hands, driving tech innovations for over a billion people.

Matt Saville is a Google Software Engineer and a Deaf individual who uses ASL in the workplace. Facing daily challenges when communicating complex technical and engineering concepts in sign language, he actively advocates for technology that makes workplace communication seamless, inclusive, and fully accessible.

Samir Jain is a Google Software Engineer specializing in digital accessibility and healthcare. As a Deaf individual who is bimodal and bilingual in ASL and English, his work centers on advancing digital access through assistive technologies, including screen readers, switch access, and voice control.

Jason “JT” Tozier, B.A., is a Deaf writer, educator, and cultural worker focused on Deaf-centered trauma pedagogy, language, and power. Their work examines how systems shape belonging and exclusion within Deaf communities. They advocate for transforming lived experience into leadership and community knowledge.

Jill Hatcher, M.S., has held multiple roles at DEAF, Inc. and currently serves as Director of the Community & Health Access Partnership (CHAP). She works across sectors to dismantle systemic barriers fueling health disparities in the Deaf community.

Darian B. Gambrell has been Executive Director of DEAF, Inc. in Massachusetts since 2022 and is a member of Gallaudet University’s Board of Trustees. She has held leadership roles in nonprofits, higher education, and state administration, and has been selected for leadership cohorts. In 2024, she led DEAF, Inc. to a $2 million award from Yield Giving.

Corinna S. Hill, Ph.D., is a historian and assistant professor at NTID/RIT. Her work explores Deaf and Disability communities in the United States, focusing on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. She is working on a Deaf club oral history collection project, documenting the cultural impact and legacy of Deaf clubs nationwide.

Coral Italú Guerrero Arenas, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in Music Cognition from UNAM. Her work centers on the Deaf community and Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM). She is a postdoctoral researcher at UABC, where she leads development of a digital LSM repository for STEAM, advancing accessible scientific knowledge for Deaf communities.

Guillermo Hernández Santana, Ph.D., is a professor and researcher at UABC. He holds a doctorate in Anthropology from UNAM and degrees in Mesoamerican Studies and Linguistics. His work focuses on LSM acquisition, grammar, and academic lexicon in Deaf children, as well as language and social organization in indigenous communities.

Daniel López Martínez is a Deaf leader in Baja California and President of the Ensenada Regional Association of the Deaf (ARSE). He holds degrees in Computer Systems and Educational Sciences and teaches Mexican Sign Language (LSM) at the high school level. He also collaborates with UABC on research and outreach. His work advances Deaf identity, access, and inclusive education policy.

Erik Álvaro Arellano Hernández is a Deaf leader and activist based in Mexico City, specializing in linguistic rights and accessibility. He is President of CoPeSor and serves on the CNDH monitoring committee. A Deaf interpreter and trainer, he supports certification processes and standards for LSM-Spanish interpretation while promoting Deaf culture and human rights.

Katrina N. Wadsworth, M.A., NIC, is an ASL/English interpreter beginning her journey as a workshop facilitator, sharing expanded research and practice from her thesis on Work-Esteem. Her work explores interpreter sustainability, reflective practice, and professional growth, supporting interpreters in strengthening their practice to better serve the Deaf community, the profession, and ourselves.

Wink, Ph.D., NIC-Master, is an interpreter, educator, and assistant professor at Gallaudet University. He presents internationally and researches interpretation through cognitive linguistics and depiction. A former RID Certification Council member and CIT board member, he received the NAD Outstanding Service Award and has delivered 2,800+ hours of CEU training.

Mona Jawad is a Ph.D student in Speech and Hearing Science and the co-founder of ASL Aspire, an online STEM learning platform for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. She is passionate about increasing educational opportunities for students with diverse needs and studies how play-based intervention can improve student engagement and achievement in the classroom.

Ayesha Kazi is the Co-Founder and COO of ASL Aspire and holds both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is passionate about social impact and building technology that increases access to education.

Robert Mather, J.D.. is an attorney and advocate specializing in education law and disability rights for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. His work focuses on advancing equitable access to education and strengthening protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other civil rights laws.

Marla Hatrak, Ph.D., holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Policy, Leadership, & Management. A lifelong advocate for language and literacy for Deaf children, she has led efforts at local, state, and national levels. She is Educational Policy Consultant for the National Association of the Deaf, focusing on EHDI and its impact on K–12 education, and co-edited The Road to Kindergarten Readiness (2017).

West Resendes, J.D., is a Staff Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He uses impact litigation and advocacy to advance the rights of disabled people in the criminal legal system, education, and beyond. His deaf-specific work focuses on reducing language deprivation for children and its impact on adults. West holds degrees from Harvard and Yale, and serves on the board of Deaf Legal Advocacy Worldwide.

Andrea K. Smith, MA, CI/CT, SC:L, NIC has over 25 years of experience, specializing in legal and scientific/technical interpreting. She is currently a designated interpreter on staff with the ACLU Disability Rights Program, supporting a Deaf attorney and numerous Deaf-related litigation and advocacy projects. Andrea is pursuing a PhD at the University of Wolverhampton, researching how Deaf professionals exercise choice in interpreting services.

Wink., Ph.D., NIC-Master, is an interpreter, educator, and assistant professor at Gallaudet University. He presents internationally and researches interpretation through cognitive linguistics and depiction. A former RID Certification Council member and CIT board member, he received the NAD Outstanding Service Award and has delivered 2,800+ hours of CEU training.

Summer Crider is a certified Forest and Nature Therapy guide and founder of The Wild Cypress, dedicated to inclusive, healing experiences for Deaf, Disabled, and marginalized communities. With a background in Expressive Arts Therapy, Educational Media, and Cultural Studies, Summer is an educator, trainer, business owner, filmmaker, and consultant, currently residing in Florida.

Leala Holcomb, Ph.D., is a researcher and teacher trainer in deaf education focused on meaningful language and literacy experiences for young children. They are co-founder of Hands Land, developing ASL rhyme and rhythm activities that support language through play. Dr. Holcomb leads an NIH-funded project advancing evidence-based approaches to ASL literacy in deaf children.

Elijah Valdez is the founder of Equity & Impact Consulting and a Deaf speaker, consultant, and community advocate whose work centers intersectionality, accessibility, and justice. As a Deaf wheelchair user, he brings lived experience and practical insight to conversations on power, oppression, disability, Deaf culture, and creating more accountable and inclusive spaces.

Amy June Rowley is a Bay Area native and Professor at California State University, East Bay. She has taught since 1994 and has long been involved in Deaf Education. She and her husband, Jeff Mosher, have three children: Janeva (RIT, Class of 2026) and Reza (Gallaudet, Class of 2026), both graduates of the California School for the Deaf (CSD), and Tavey, a CODA studying Fire Science.

Joy Plote, M.A., LPC, CI/CT, is a trauma specialist and founder of a Deaf-centered counseling agency in Phoenix, Arizona. A Coda and nationally certified interpreter, her work focuses on the impacts of language deprivation, abuse, and intergenerational trauma while providing culturally responsive and effective care for Deaf individuals, Codas, and their families.

Justin D. Vollmar, CDI, has a diverse background in community leadership, teaching, interpreting, social media, and academia. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Deaf and Labor History. He is a full-time ASL lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Justin has over 10 years of leadership experience in nonprofit organizations. He is a RID Certified Deaf Interpreter and a Wisconsin Court-certified interpreter.

Sherri Collins, M.Ed., is Executive Director of Deaf Seniors of America and a national advocate for Deaf and hard of hearing older adults. She leads efforts advancing accessibility, policy change, and community-driven advocacy to promote equity, inclusion, and full participation in aging, health, and social service systems.

Lisa Gonzales serves as the Statewide Deaf Access Specialist for the California Department of Developmental Services, driving systems change that strengthens accessibility and culturally responsive services. Through policy work, program development, and community partnerships, her deep passion for elevating Deaf Plus needs continues to spark meaningful change.

Leticia “Letty” Moran, B.S., NIC-Adv., EIPA 4.3, AZ Legal-C, is a nationally certified interpreter and Vice President of the RID Board. She works at ASDB as a lead interpreter, mentor, and Steering Committee member. A first-generation Mexican American CODA with 20+ years’ experience, she has served in RID leadership and brings a strong focus on mentorship, social justice, and professional development.

Mona Mehrpour, NIC, EIPA, is an Iranian American heritage signer and the daughter of two Deaf parents. With 15+ years of interpreting experience across diverse settings, she serves as President of RID, following service as Member-At-Large and leadership within the Deaf Parented Interpreters Member Section. She is passionate about fostering community, professional growth, and access for diverse Deaf communities.

Rosemary Wanis, Ed.D., MSW, CDI, holds degrees from Gallaudet University and a doctorate from CSU Fresno. She trains interpreters using the NCIEC Deaf Interpreter Curriculum, teaches at multiple colleges, works with the Center for Atypical Language Interpreting, and serves as Secretary of the RID Board of Directors.

Tina Gonzales Childress, Au.D., CCC-A, is an audiologist, advocate, and Director of Accessibility at InnoCaption, bridging audiology, accessibility, and lived experience. A late-deafened adult with bilateral cochlear implants and ASL fluency, she connects Deaf/Hard of Hearing and hearing communities. She is an international presenter and expert in assistive technology.

Sam Sepah is a global AI accessibility leader and Lead AI Accessibility Research Program Manager at Google. He co-founded Sign Language Research at Google, delivering SignGemma, and was an early member of the NAI initiative. Formerly the only culturally Deaf HR leader in the Fortune 500, Sam now chairs the WFD AI Taskforce and Atomic Hands, driving tech innovations for over a billion people.

Joel C. Gelburd, M.A., is a Professor of American Sign Language at the University of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco, and the College of Marin. His work focuses on ASL pedagogy, language acquisition, and supporting student engagement with ASL and Deaf communities. He holds a Master’s in Teaching ASL as a Foreign Language from Columbia University and a B.A. in Psychology from the College of William and Mary.

Rezenet Moges-Riedel, B.F.A., Ed.D., is the Director of the ASL Linguistics and Deaf Cultures program and Assistant Professor at CSU Long Beach. Her work focuses on critical race and language theory in Deaf-signing education and Deaf Faculty of Color in higher education. Her research also examines sign language contact, demissionization, and female masculinity signing styles.

Sarah Himmelmann Idler is a native ASL user and nationally Certified Deaf Interpreter with 15+ years of experience in legal and medical settings. She holds an Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity and BEI Court Interpreter Certification. An adjunct professor, she advances equity-minded teaching; she also serves as Chair of the RID Deaf Caucus.

Joshua Anderson Jimenez is a nationally certified (NIC) ASL interpreter and a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) with over a decade of experience in the field. As founder and CEO of Origins Interpreting Inc., he specializes in providing interpreting services for governmental, legal, and professional environments. A graduate of American River College, he provides mentorship to future practitioners and upholds professional and ethical standards.

Sheila Jacobs, MFT, is a signing family counselor from a multigenerational Deaf family. She co-led the first international CODA Conference (1986) and has 35+ years supporting families of deaf children. She developed the “Sign and Dine” approach and a Signing Family Assessment Tool, and co-created sibling retreats and an EHDI-published communication toolkit with her Deaf sister.

Melanie Metzger, Ph.D., has an M.A. from Gallaudet University and a doctorate in Linguistics from Georgetown University. Formerly chair of the Department of Interpretation at Gallaudet, she taught B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. courses and has presented and taught workshops around the world. An interpreter and educator for over 30 years, she researches visual language, including discourse analyses of ASL and studies of interpreted interaction.

Susan Mather, Ph.D, earned her doctorate in Sociolinguistics from Georgetown University and is a retired professor from the Department of Linguistics at Gallaudet University. Her research has focused on visual communication, discourse strategies in signed languages, and accessibility in interpreted environments. Dr. Mather has conducted extensive research on split attention strategies and their impact on Deaf learners and audiences.

Carla García-Fernández, Ph.D., is the faculty director of the Center for Latine Deaf Studies, also known as Nuestra Casa, and an Associate Professor in the Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University. Carla’s research interests center around intersectionality, social justice—particularly in education, Critical Race Studies, Deaf-Chicanx & Latinx Critical Studies, and Ethnic Studies.

Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton, Ph.D. (she/her) is an educator, advocate, and associate professor at California State University, Fullerton, coordinating the M.S. in Higher Education program. Her work focuses on equity, identity, and Deaf education. She is founder of The Black Deaf Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black Deaf communities.

Rezenet Moges-Riedel, B.F.A., Ed.D., is the Director of the ASL Linguistics and Deaf Cultures program and Assistant Professor at CSU Long Beach. Her work focuses on critical race and language theory in Deaf-signing education and Deaf Faculty of Color in higher education. Her research also examines sign language contact, demissionization, and female masculinity signing styles.

Jamila Guerrero-Cantor, Ed.D., is a multi-disciplinary educator at East Los Angeles College, CA State University Los Angeles, and Gallaudet University. Her collective work and research embrace decoloniality, social justice, equity, and cultural sustaining pedagogies in the practices and systems of counseling, education, and interpreting. She is a board member with the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Lynn (Lina) Hou, Ph.D, is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Linguistics Department at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research interests encompass documentation and description of signed languages, linguistic ethnography, and inclusion, social justice, and decolonization in linguistics.

Josh Mendelsohn, J.D., is an Attorney Advisor with the FCC’s Disability Rights Office, advancing accessibility in video, communications, and emergency services. He serves as Co-Designated Federal Officer of the FCC’s Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee. He previously held leadership roles with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Suzy Rosen Singleton, J.D., is Chief of the Disability Rights Office within the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Since 2016, she has led rulemaking and stakeholder efforts to ensure accessibility of emergency communications, modern technologies, and video programming for people with disabilities. Her career spans disability policy roles with the National Association of the Deaf, U.S. Department of Education, Gallaudet University, and the U.S. Department of State.

Joy Plote, M.A., LPC, CI/CT, is a trauma specialist and founder of a Deaf-centered counseling agency in Phoenix, Arizona. A Coda and nationally certified interpreter, her work focuses on the impacts of language deprivation, abuse, and intergenerational trauma while providing culturally responsive and effective care for Deaf individuals, Codas, and their families.

Topher Ávila, Ph.D., BEI, RID, is a filmmaker, Deaf Interpreter, organizer, curriculum developer, and writer. Rooted in his LSM/ASL Deaf familia, his work is informed by Abolition, Disability Justice, and Language Justice. He holds a MASLED from Gallaudet and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech, and has worked as an interpreter since 2016.

Marla Hatrak, Ph.D., holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Policy, Leadership, & Management. A lifelong advocate for language and literacy for Deaf children, she has led efforts at local, state, and national levels. She is Educational Policy Consultant for the National Association of the Deaf, focusing on EHDI and its impact on K–12 education, and co-edited The Road to Kindergarten Readiness (2017).

Evan Hibbard, Ph.D., is a Deaf scholar, educator, and community advocate who teaches ASL and Deaf Studies at Sacramento State. Zir work focuses on Deaf technology, Deaf-centered pedagogy, and academic collaborative practices. Ze is a recent co-author of the 2026 book Inclusive Design: Premises, Policies, Protocols, and Practices.

Lisi Whitworth is the CEO of Eventida, an R&D lab for inclusive experience design. Trained in Equitable Community Change (Cornell) and a certified Design Sprint Facilitator (AJ&Smart), she uses structured frameworks to solve accessibility challenges. With over 20 years leading diverse teams, Lisi is dedicated to co-creating sustainable systems that center wellness and equity.

Lori DeWindt, M.A., is a Senior Health Project Coordinator at the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR) with experience in the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) initiative. This project promotes a healthy lifestyle in Deaf communities by emphasizing collaboration to provide technology-based resources that enhance health and well-being.

Jill Hatcher, M.S., has held multiple roles at DEAF, Inc. and currently serves as Director of the Community & Health Access Partnership (CHAP). She works across sectors to dismantle systemic barriers fueling health disparities in the Deaf community.

Colleen L. Smith, an assistant professor at California State University, Northridge, holds a Ph.D. in Policy Studies in Language & Cross-Cultural Education. Colleen brings 30 years of experience with underrepresented school-age deaf students and graduate teacher candidates, applying evidence-based practices, story acting, storytelling, and story texting.

Kathleen Anne Smith is a Deaf adult born with congenital CMV, a DeafBlind Intervener at Metro Deaf School, and President of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC). She is a CMV advocate through the National CMV Foundation, and an educator who centers Deaf identity, prevention, and early intervention through lived experience.

Theodore “Theo” Miller is the CEO of Mozzeria, an award-winning Deaf-owned pizzeria celebrated for its mission to honor food and community through Deaf culture. A Gallaudet University graduate in Risk Management and Business Administration, Theo brings five years of hospitality leadership experience, having risen from General Manager to CEO. He leads Mozzeria’s growing national expansion with a focus on workforce development.

Blair Rasmus, M.A., is a Ward 3 commissioner on the Commission for the Deaf for the City of Riverside. A certified educator specializing in Deaf/Hard of Hearing and environmental & outdoor education, Blair also serves as a full-spectrum doula and a community outreach specialist.

Mike Anderson is a leader and advocate in the Deaf community in Riverside, California, with more than 30 years of impact. He built a 31-year legacy at CSDR, known for going above and beyond. He has served as Vice Chair of the City of Riverside Commission of the Deaf and currently chairs its Model Deaf Community Committee, and served as Vice President of the California Association of the Deaf.

Zachary Ennis is Founder and Executive Director of Rochester Deaf Kitchen, leading a Deaf-centered effort advancing food security, health equity, and systems change. Through the Deaf Community Food Pantry and cross-sector partnerships, his work has helped deliver over 700,000 lbs of food to the Deaf community in under three years while building trusted, language-driven, community-led access models.

Linzie Fuechtmann is Director of Operations at Rochester Deaf Kitchen, where she has been part of the organization since its founding. She holds a BS from Rochester Institute of Technology and leads efforts in health access and operational systems. Her work focuses on building sustainable infrastructure and strengthening community-based solutions that expand access for Deaf individuals.

Alexandria Rutowski works in management and operations at Rochester Deaf Kitchen, supporting organizational systems and program delivery. She holds a BA in Sociology from Gallaudet University and an MS in Criminal Justice from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on strengthening operations and expanding access through coordinated, community-based approaches.

Janeva Mosher is Pantry Manager at Rochester Deaf Kitchen, directing operations of the Deaf Community Food Pantry and helping advance a Deaf led model addressing food insecurity in Deaf communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and Inclusive Leadership from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Joshua Mendelsohn, J.D., is an Attorney Advisor with the FCC’s Disability Rights Office, advancing accessibility in video, communications, and emergency services. He serves as Co-Designated Federal Officer of the FCC’s Consumer Protection and Accessibility Advisory Committee. He previously held leadership roles with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Katherine Lees believes language access should function as infrastructure, not accommodation. As CEO and co-founder of dozanü innovations, she co-created PIVOT, an award-winning multimodal language access platform transforming how organizations deliver access across the digital world.

Michelle Lapides is helping close the gap between global information and true understanding. As co-founder of dozanü innovations and co-creator of PIVOT, she is making digital information accessible across signed, spoken, and written language through a multimodal language access platform.

Sheri Ann Farinha, M.A., former NAD Board officer, is a national civil rights advocate and CEO of NorCal Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing for 33+ years. Director of LEAD-K, she co-led California’s 2015 LEAD-K law and expansion to 22 states. A Principal Investigator for HRSA-funded LEAD-K Family Services, her work advances language rights, 911 access, and national policy.

Julie Rems-Smario, Ed.D., is the Deaf Education Programs Consultant at the California Department of Education and co-coordinator of California’s EHDI program, LEAD-K Family Services. Julie also volunteers her time with the National LEAD-K Campaign, supporting language milestone laws in 23 states. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Social Justice from CSU East Bay.

Marla Hatrak, Ph.D., holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Educational Policy, Leadership, & Management. A lifelong advocate for language and literacy for Deaf children, she has led efforts at local, state, and national levels. She is Educational Policy Consultant for the National Association of the Deaf, focusing on EHDI and its impact on K–12 education, and co-edited The Road to Kindergarten Readiness (2017).

Lina Hou, Ph.D, is deaf-of-hearing Taiwanese-American who was born and raised on Tongva lands. She is Associate Professor of Linguistics at University of California, Santa Barbara. Her lived experiences of growing up in a diasporic community and surrounded by certain other diasporic communities have shaped her understanding of the racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S.

Leang Ngov is a Khmer American multilingual Deaf interpreter, access advocate, and memoir writer. She is Access Coordinator at the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes at UT Austin. Her lived experiences as a child of Khmer refugees and a first-generation disability justice organizer have shaped her commitment to equity, belonging, and centering the full diversity of Deaf communities.

Bakar Ali, MBA, MPA, is a Lecturer in Business Studies at RIT/NTID, where he teaches in business intelligence, economics, and technology courses. He is an educator, disability advocate, and nonprofit leader whose work focuses on accessibility, artificial intelligence, and inclusive education for Deaf learners.

Diedre Tanenberg, B.A., works at the intersection of climate resilience, public policy, and Deaf community leadership. She serves as Policy & Public Affairs Assistant Coordinator at the San Francisco Environment Department and is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf’s Disaster Risk Reduction Expert Group. She has presented internationally and previously served on the California Association of the Deaf Board.