Dawnmarie Caggiano

she/hers/her

Affiliate - 2022-2026

[VIDEO] Dawnmarie currently resides in Tampa Bay, Florida and has been a long-standing resident for the last 20+ years. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT/NTID) with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Dawnmarie has been with ZVRS and Purple Communications (ZP) since 2008 and currently serves as a Marketing Operations Manager. Prior to joining ZP, she worked in various positions in the non-profit sector from 1998 – 2008. She has served in various roles on the board of numerous organizations over the years including Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD), NTID Alumni Association, St. Petersburg College’s SLIP, FRID Board, and Family Center on Deafness. Dawnmarie also served as a Delegate for the NAD Conference twice and is a former Jr. NAD Advisor. Since 2008, she has never missed a NAD conference and looks forward to attending every two years! During her leisure time, Dawnmarie loves doing arts and crafts, watching movies, and spending time with her sister, Elizabeth, her close friends, and two dogs, Abby and Bella.

James “Dino” Christianson Jr.

he/him/his

Appointed - 2024-2026

[VIDEO] Dino was raised in San Luis Obispo county in California and graduated at California School for the Deaf in Fremont. He obtained his degree in Industrial Design at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Dino currently resides in the northwestern corner of Washington State with his wife, Maria, and their two beloved daughters. He has been a Client Advocate at Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center in Bellingham, Washington State since 2004. Dino was involved in Deaf Teen Leadership Camp in Randle, Washington in various roles and currently is one of the co-directors. Between 2007 and 2017, he has served as a board member for different organizations: Washington State Association of the Deaf as president and treasurer and Northwest Washington Community of the Deaf in various executive and committee roles. Dino has been a board member of Salish Sea Deaf School located in Burlington, Washington since 2015. Being involved in these organizations have brought Dino’s passion into politics as one of his main interests.

Michael Deuel

he/him/his

Region III - 2022-2026

[VIDEO] Michael is currently President of the Alabama Association of the Deaf. He works as an Outreach Coordinator and serves 12 states in the Southeast region with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) Special Projects located in Decatur, Alabama. He has worked as a Case Manager for the Deaf since 2015 with AIDB’s Regional Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Michael is a native Alabamian and alumni of the Alabama School for the Deaf 1996. He received a BA in Recreation Leadership from Jacksonville State University with a focus in community organization and leadership and pursued his Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Auburn University in 2019.

Stephanie Hakulin

she/hers/her

Vice President - 2024-2026

[VIDEO] Stephanie works as a Deaf Interpreter in Massachusetts. She was the President of the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf and is currently a loyal member of MSAD. Stephanie was an Appointed NAD Board member in the previous term to focus on dismantling racism within the organization. She has been involved in advocacy organizations such as Deaf Women of Massachusetts, National Deaf People of Color Conference (as Co-Chair), Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf (as an Advisory Board Member) and more.  She has two lovely kids and loves sports!

Chris Haulmark

he/him/his

Region II - 2024-2028

Coming soon!

Laura Kim

she/hers/her

Region IV - 2022-2026

[VIDEO] Laura, a Korean-American Deaf female, originally from Chicago, Illinois, has worked as a K-12 Deaf Educator for over 13 years working closely with Deaf students, professional staff, deaf and hard of hearing families and the Deaf community. She graduated from Gallaudet University with two BA degrees in Communications and Graphic Design before enrolling at the University of California at San Diego to complete her Master’s in ASL-English Bilingual Education Teaching Credential Program. While a Teacher of the Deaf at San Diego Unified School District, Laura also served as a former ASL teacher for Families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, partnering with the Parent Link under the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Deaf Project for two years (2013-2015). Her role was to help deaf and hard of hearing families with ASL skills necessary to successfully communicate with their deaf and hard of hearing child. She is currently in her sixth year teaching middle school and absolutely loves working with this age group. She is dedicated to promoting positive reinforcement and restorative justice within the classroom. Her side work includes volunteering for the Southern California Asian Deaf Association (SCADA) organization as a local San Diego Country representative since 2019. Laura has been inspired by the organization’s positive engagement in building collaborative and active networking events. She has been involved in various activities promoting an appreciation for multicultural identity to recognize Deaf and Asian cultural values and ethnic identity. Laura has been serving as a Board Member for Region IV during the 2020-2022. Also, she is a Board Liaison for the Education Section and the Past Board Member section. Laura loves hiking, surfing, and exploring beaches.

Nicholas Lalanne

he/him/his

Region I - 2022-2026

[VIDEO] Nicholas attended Gallaudet University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and Master of Arts degree in Sign Language Education. While he was an undergraduate student, Nicholas met his wife, Rebecca. They have four children. His career has included working at Austine School for the Deaf and teaching American Sign Language and Deaf Studies at different colleges. Nicholas is currently a lecturer at the University of Vermont, and has been since 2018. Besides teaching, Nicholas serves as a co-director of the Association of Sign Language Vermonters, to promote and build awareness of sign language as a linguistic human right in Vermont. He is also involved in different committees at the local, state, and national levels.

Jacob Leffler

he/him/his

Region I - 2024-2028

[VIDEO] Jacob currently works for the Federal Government and lives in Baltimore, Maryland. He is originally from Buffalo, New York. He is a graduate of the St. Mary’s School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University, BA in Government and Masters in Public Administration. He was involved with different organizations including the Maryland Association of the Deaf, Baltimore City Association of the Deaf, and Deaf in Government in various capacities. He was involved with Jr. NAD when he was a student at the St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. Jacob also enjoys cruising and traveling around the world.

Joseph “JoJo” Lopez III

he/him/his

Region IV - 2024-2028

Coming soon!

Milmaglyn Morales

she/hers/ella

Secretary - 2024-2026

[VIDEO] Milmaglyn, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, is a certified K-12 Educator. She graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Central Connecticut State University with a master’s degree in Special Education. Currently, Milmaglyn is a Director of the Early Childhood Center at the Learning Center for the Deaf and serves on the Connecticut Association of the Deaf Legislative committee. She also serves as Chair of Interpreters Qualifications Subcommittee of the CAD Legislative Committee. From 2005-2017, Milmaglyn was heavily involved in Council de Manos, a nonprofit organization seeking to gain awareness for the Deaf Latinx community and make international strides for the minority. While she no longer serves on the Board of Council de Manos, her heart always remains with them and their cause. Her passion to end injustice amongst members of Deaf Latinx community and her desire to ensure equal accessibility will forever reside as an underlying goal in future assignments and practices.

Jimmy Peterson

Treasurer - 2024-2026

Lisa Rose

she/hers/her

President - 2024-2026

[VIDEO] Lisa currently works as an American Sign Language Lecturer at the Appalachian State University. Lisa became involved with the NAD since middle school, starting with Pee Wee NAD, Jr. NAD and the NAD. She also worked at the Youth Leadership Camp during the summers of 1990-1994 as a camp counselor and Business Manager. She is a Past President of the Florida Association of the Deaf (2017-2019). Lisa received her Master’s Degree in Deaf Education: Secondary Education in Social Studies and Bachelor’s degree in Government and Secondary Education from Gallaudet University. Lisa is a hardcore fan of the Baltimore Ravens football team.

Kevin Ryan

he/him/his

Region II - 2022-2026

[VIDEO] Kevin was born in Chicago and grew up in Wisconsin. He is from a four-generation deaf family (on his mother’s side). After graduating from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, he went to NTID to earn his AAS degree in Data Processing. After college, Kevin worked in Naperville, Illinois at Lucent, formerly known as the AT&T Bell labs for 11 years. He is now the owner of CR Construction Inc., a successful business for 20 years. Kevin loves serving the Deaf community; he’s been involved in many activities as an officer of the National Softball Association of the Deaf and served on the Illinois Association of the Deaf Board. Kevin is now serving as the Region II Board member, second term. Kevin and his wife have four wonderful children and during his free time, he co-leads his son’s boy scout troop.

Bobbie Beth Scoggins

Ex Officio Member - Chief Executive Officer

DeAnna Swope

she/hers/her

Region III - 2024-2028

DeAnna is a community advocate at heart and has been involved in different fields. She was a program director at BRIDGES, a Deaf-led domestic violence program in Georgia and currently working as a Senior Program Associate at Activating Change. She is also the CEO and founder of Diamond Speaks LLC. DeAnna was the host of the Be Bold and Be Heard show. DeAnna obtained a BA in social and criminal justice and an MA in public administration. She is a happily married mother of five children and grandmother of an adorable 1 year old granddaughter.

Kimberly Thornsberry

she/hers/her

Appointed - 2024-2026

[VIDEO] Kim is re-appointed as the Appointed Board Member for the 2024-2026 term.  Originally from Michigan, she currently lives in Utah.  She serves as a School Counselor with the Utah Schools of the Deaf.  She also teaches at Gallaudet University as an adjunct professor. Kim was employed as a Regional 1 Mental Health Therapist for the Deaf with the Alabama Department of Mental Health Office of Deaf Services in Alabama during 2014-2022 and as a case manager at the Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Utah during 2007-2014. Kim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumers Studies:  Child Development at Gallaudet University in 2003 and pursued a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with the Deaf at Western Oregon University in 2006. She completed a graduate certification in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Counseling program at Troy University in 2021. She is married to Brian Thornsberry and has two children.  Her favorite hobbies are outdoor activities, drawing/painting, and spending time with her family and friends.

Tyese Wright

she/hers/her

Affiliate - 2024-2028