A Deaf-born Seattle native, Liz is a sonographer and clinical instructor with more than 25 years of field experience and an advocate of ASL signs that appropriately reflect STEM concepts. Liz’s other hats include university instructor at NTID, Director of Healthcare Mentoring with Deaf Hub, PhD scholar, and more!

David “DT” Bruno is a Deaf, ASL-using licensed master social worker specializing in integrated behavioral health, with a focus on Deaf communities and mental health care. His work centers on interprofessional collaboration with Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing (DDBHH) populations, with particular attention to healthcare navigation and implications for interpreting practice. He is a presenter at the 2026 Summit for Mental Health Interpreting. Bruno currently serves as a project manager at Gallaudet University’s Center for Deaf Health Excellence and provides psychotherapy in private practice. He earned a B.A. in Social Work from Gallaudet University and an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, and is a doctoral student at Simmons University School of Social Work. His research interests include the epistemology of Deaf mental health practice and the co-creation of symptom-based therapy (co-design) with Deaf clients, with implications for ASL interpreting practice.

Tarra Grammenos holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Graduate Certificate in Legal Interpreting, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology of Deviance, and Associates Degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Born and raised in Minnesota, Tarra has been an ASL/English Interpreter for 20 years. Since the death of her youngest brother to suicide in 2017, Tarra has immersed herself into the field of suicidology and often presents to interpreters, teachers, and the Deaf community about the reality that is suicide. She is the co-founder of a monthly online Deaf Suicide Loss Survivor Support Group, is a certified ASIST trainer by LivingWorks, a Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator by AFSP, she hosts an annual ASL virtual event for AFSP's International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, and is on Minnesota's first LOSS Team through SAVE.

Kimberly Johnson has more than 23 years of experience in clinical mental health services, direct service delivery, advocacy, professional presentations, school counseling, leadership, and state agency administration. She is passionate about improving access to quality mental health services and promoting equity within Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Studies with a specialization in Child Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She later completed a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling with the Deaf. Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Kimberly completed coursework in the Early Childhood and Infant Mental Health. She also pursued additional graduate-level studies in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling to meet professional licensure requirements. Kimberly is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah. She focuses on developing systems and logistics that expand access to clinical services, supervision, consultation, and support for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals. She has served on the board of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) and as an appointed board member of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Outside of her professional work, Kimberly is an artist whose paintings and drawings incorporate Deaf culture and American Sign Language. She enjoys SUV camping adventures, cabin getaways, hiking, and disc golf. Most importantly, she is the proud mother of two grown children.

Naima is the Founder and CEO of Deaf Mental Health Hub (DMHH), a Deaf-led initiative working to bridge gaps between Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, and signing communities and accessible mental health resources, providers, education, and opportunities. Her work is rooted in the belief that access is mental health and that healing should happen in our language. As a mental health professional, Naima brings a culturally responsive and intersectional lens to her work, with particular attention to identity, trauma, relationships, accessibility, and the experiences of historically underserved communities. She also uses storytelling, art, and community-centered programming to create spaces where people can explore identity, wellness, belonging, and collective care. Beyond her clinical work, Naima is a community builder, speaker, advocate, and artist. Through initiatives such as Heal With Naima and her community work, she brings together mental health, creativity, disability justice, and Deaf culture to challenge traditional ideas of what healing and accessibility can look like. Naima holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Arcadia University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gallaudet University, and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Across her work, she remains committed to creating spaces where Deaf people are not simply accommodated, but fully centered, represented, and able to thrive.

Kimberly Kelstone is a Nurse-Midwife (board certified and New York licensed), who focuses on all aspects healthcare for women and people assigned female at birth, providing full-scope health care to patients throughout their lifespan: including sexual health, reproductive care, STI prevention, pregnancy, birth, and menopause. She has attended specialty training through Postpartum Support International regarding mental health support for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Prior to Midwifery, she provided ASL/English interpretation for a wide variety of settings for over 30 years. Specializing in medical settings, Kimberly was involved in establishing the Interpreters in Healthcare member section of RID and has interpreted for countless Deaf patients & their families as well as Deaf medical residents, researchers, doctors, and other professionals in various healthcare related fields. She received her AAS (Interpreting) from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, her first Bachelor’s (ASL studies) through Empire State College and second Bachelor’s (Nursing) through the University of Rochester. Kimberly completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (Midwifery) at Stony Brook University. She had the good fortune to also receive training through the CATIE center specific to their Medical Immersion program. She has worked closely in the past with NTID on their Medical Interpreting certificate, as well as the Master’s Degree in Medical Interpreting. She has presented locally, regionally and nationally on medical interpreting topics, and always enjoys having the opportunity to support students’ knowledge base expansion and deepening their interpreting “tool kit.”

Dr. Kent Schafer brings over 25 years of experience across clinical, psychiatric hospital, and educational settings. He currently serves as President (2025–2027) of ADARA. Dr. Schafer’s work is deeply rooted in linguistic accessibility, frequently publishing and presenting at the intersections of psychology, education, and mental health. His doctoral dissertation focused on psychometric analysis to strengthen the communication skills assessment developed by Roger Williams and Charlene Crump, a tool that continues to influence mental health centers across Alabama and several other states. Dr. Schafer led a groundbreaking longitudinal study analyzing twenty years of state mental health data to demonstrate how culturally and linguistically specialized care significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for the Deaf population. An in-demand national trainer and researcher, Dr. Schafer frequently circles within Neurodevelopment and Mental Health in the Deaf Population, Cognition and Decision Making, and Elements within Mental Health Interpreting. He holds an M.A. in Substance Use Counseling, an M.S.E., and a Ph.D. in Psychology. As an editor of an upcoming book series alongside Dr. Gabriel Lomas, he invites fellow experts and practitioners to join this vital discourse by contributing articles that bridge the gap in Mental Health and Deaf Communities. Beyond the clinical and academic endeavors, Kent was inducted into the 2023 Illinois Disc Golf Hall of Fame for his dedication to growing the sport. When not found challenging others toward a greater good, he is most especially proud of being a girldad.

Laura SkyQuest, MA, CDI, QMHI, holds a Master's Degree in Deaf Education, and a Bachelor's Degree in History from Gallaudet University. She was born and raised in Maryland but has called Minnesota home for 10 years. Before becoming a full-time staff CDI, Laura was a K-12 teacher/ASL specialist working in Deaf schools for 15+ years. She knows first-hand how conversations around suicide, especially with deaf children and young adults can be very challenging. Laura is the first and only Deaf ASL ASIST trainer by LivingWorks, she's also trained as a Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator by AFSP, is a newly credentialed Qualified Mental Health Interpreter, and enjoys training interpreters, students, teachers, and the Deaf community the importance of knowing about suicide, especially in ASL.

Dr. Ashley R. Walker is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and an advocate. Dr. Walker holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Bachelors of Science in Biotechnology from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been a pharmacist for 9 years with experience in retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, home infusion pharmacy, and long-term care pharmacy. In addition to being a pharmacist, Dr. Walker brought to life a new dream when she established her business Med Max Consulting, LLC. Under this business, Dr. Walker can advocate for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community as well as offer medication counseling services to help this unique community maximize and optimize their medication therapy.

Dr. Jaime Wilson is a Deaf prescribing medical psychologist and board certified neuropsychologist practicing across Washington State and beyond. With hospital privileges and collaborations with physicians, forensic experts, and allied professionals, he provides extensive neuropsychological insights for global care. He’s a recognized leader in inclusive practice, having served as Past President of the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss (AMPHL). He currently contributes to the Diversity Council of the Society of Prescribing Psychology and chairs the Diversity Committee at the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology. Dr. Wilson is the author of two heartfelt, empowering books:  Preserving the Etchings of the Mind offers an easy-to-read, hopeful guide to protecting the aging brain and safeguarding memory, especially in the context of hearing loss. With over 50 five-star reviews, it’s become a trusted resource for families and clinicians alike: https://amzn.to/3LHl8su  His newly released Bridge of Time: Caregivers & Care Receivers with Hearing Loss in Alzheimer’s & Dementia is a tender roadmap for navigating memory loss and hearing loss with compassion—available now: https://amzn.to/414duQO Born with a profound hearing loss, Dr. Wilson grew up using bilateral hearing aids and primarily communicated using spoken language, although he is also fluent in American Sign Language. He resides in Olympia, WA, with his equally Deaf wife (an RN), their three children, and their spirited King Charles Spaniel, Pepper Jack. Discover more about his work, connect online, or explore his books at www.WilsonClinical.com or via your favorite social media channels: https://linktr.ee/dr_wilson