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.

Christa Moran is an ASL/English interpreter, trainer and supervisor in the Interpreter Services Department at the University of Michigan Hospital. She is a Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CoreCHI-P) through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters and also holds NIC certification through the registry of Interpreter for the Deaf (RID). Christa combines her interpreting and teaching through the workshops and trainings she has developed for interpreters and staff, faculty and learners at Michigan Medicine. Additionally, she works to advance health equity and inclusion for patients with disabilities.

Corey Axelrod, MBA, is the founder and CEO of 2axend, a Deaf-owned strategic consulting and training firm working with organizations to provide user-centric experiences to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Prior to founding 2axend, Axelrod served in several business development roles for Communication Service for the Deaf, as well as principal and digital marketing consultant for Synergetic Business Solutions, digital marketing coordinator for Purple Communications and director of marketing and business development for Hager Productions. Axelrod earned his master of business administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing and sales management and his bachelor of science in business administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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!

Jeremy Quiroga is an accomplished professional who channels his passion for life and American Sign Language (ASL) through national workshops and performances. Beginning his career as a medical interpreter, Jeremy became the first staff Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) for the University of Rochester Medical Center, marking a pivotal moment that steered his focus toward medical interpreting. With exceptional ASL mastery and a wealth of life experience, Jeremy delivers dynamic interpreter workshops equipped with a wide array of tools tailored for diverse interpreting settings. Currently, he works as a Video Remote Interpreter (VRI) specializing in the medical field. Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys cooking, hiking, and gardening, pursuits that reflect his zest for creativity and connection with nature.

Julia Bartsch is a third generation Deaf woman who works as a physician associate in the Surgical Department at Unity Hospital in Rochester, NY. She is a graduate of RIT’s PA program and has been a practicing provider for 4 years. At the start of her career she worked primarily in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, but currently assists in a variety of procedures including general, colorectal, plastics, and orthopedic surgeries. Julia’s professional interests include student mentorship and precepting, patient advocacy and health literacy. In her spare time, she cares for her 7 year old tripawd, Cleopatra.

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. 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 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 Health Care Interpreting.

Nicole is a registered nurse residing in Rochester NY. She attended the University of Rochester for degrees in ASL, Biology, and Nursing. She is now back in school at the University of Rochester working towards her Master’s as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Nicole has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient, emergency, and outpatient pediatrics. She enjoys providing both formal and informal mentorship to aspiring Deaf/Hard of Hearing nurses and is a board member for the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss (AMPHL). Nicole became Deaf during college and now uses a combination of ASL, cochlear implants, and her wonderful service dog, Freya, to ensure complete access to the world around her. Outside of work, she is an avid rock climber and baker.

Nigel Howard is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. He used to work at Douglas College – the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), and Child, Family and Community Studies (CFCS) for 25 years. Nigel has interpreted for nearly 30 years in various settings, including medical and mental health settings. He is an Accredited International Sign Interpreter by the World Federation of the Deaf and World Association of Sign Language Interpreters. He is part of the United Nations team of International Sign interpreters and interprets frequently on media.

Born and raised in Michigan, Sarah Houston brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Deaf community. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and mother of five, including a Deaf teenage son, her connection to the Deaf world is deeply personal. Sarah has been a professional interpreter for 19 years, working extensively in medical, mental health, and educational environments. Her commitment to the field is further demonstrated through her decade of service on Michigan's Board of Qualified Interpreters, where she currently holds the position of Chair. Sarah also serves as President of CodaMidwest, actively contributing to the CODA community. In addition to her professional endeavors, Sarah served as her mother's caregiver for the past five years.

As a person who is Deaf, Scott understands the unique challenges faced by the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing community when accessing medical care. In his role as Lead, Language Access at Provincial Language Services (PLS), a program under Provincial Health Service Authority, he has worked hard to cement a relationship between PLS and the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing community. Prior to joining PLS, Scott was a health care interpreter for 10 years and worked on the frontlines alongside health care providers, administration, patients, and their families. By addressing language and communication access issues and barriers, Scott supports health authorities in developing equitable and accessible health care services for their linguistically and culturally diverse patients and clients, including immigrants, refugees, official minority language speakers and members of the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing community.

Shawn Norris is a healthcare language access leader, holding multiple key positions including President of the Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (FRID) and Commissioner for the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). With a background enriched by his Deaf parents, Shawn is an active advocate in the Deaf community. He’s spent over a decade in the interpreting field, mentoring emerging interpreters and founding a local agency to enhance language accessibility in Jacksonville. Currently, he’s developing Hello Interpreters, an online community for interpreters and translators and is the COO of AI Deaf. Shawn is one of the few practitioners to have held ADA Coordinator, Section 1557 Coordinator, and Interpreter Services Coordinator roles concurrently within a hospital system.

Sherri Collins is a nationally recognized leader and advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. As the Executive Director of Deaf Seniors of America (DSA), she is dedicated to advancing accessibility, policy advocacy, and community engagement for older Deaf adults. With decades of experience in public policy, executive leadership, and accessibility services, she has been at the forefront of initiatives promoting equal access in healthcare, senior services, and community programs. In addition to her role at DSA, Sherri is the founder of Sherri Collins Consulting, where she provides strategic guidance on accessibility compliance, executive leadership transitions, program implementation, and advocacy strategies. Her expertise spans DEIA initiatives, ADA accessibility, government relations, and nonprofit development. Prior to her work with DSA, Sherri served as the long-time Executive Director of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH), where she led efforts to improve communication access, expand services, and drive policy change. She has also held leadership positions at the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center. Sherri holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Gallaudet University and a Master’s in Education in Adult Education/Organizational Development from North Carolina State University. She remains deeply engaged in advocacy, serving on various boards and initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Sheryl grew up amid the turbulent 1960s, witnessing riots and the fierce struggle for civil rights. At 13, she became deaf due to spinal meningitis. Her great aunt taught her the Old English two-handed alphabet, fostering her ability to communicate and igniting a lifelong passion for advocacy. At 22, Sheryl became the founding president of the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) organization. In October 2023, she returned as NBDA’s president. Her advocacy took her to Chicago, where she served as Director of Social Services and Advocacy at the Chicago Hearing Society. Following that she moved to Michigan and created initiatives such as the Macomb School to Work program and the Deaf HEAL and Shield programs at Deaf C.A.N! She made history as the first Black Deaf woman to lead a state-mandated Deaf agency, directing Michigan’s Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is the primary author Michigan’s original Sign Language interpreting regulations. A Gallaudet University alumna with a B.A. degree in Social Work and a M.A., in Rehabilitation Counseling from NYU, Sheryl now resides in Colorado, continuing her work as a Disability Community Equity and Engagement Specialist.

Both of Terri’s parents were deaf and she is the youngest of four children. She went to a private hearing school and learned to survive in the hearing world while being able to use ASL at home with her parents. While growing up as the only deaf child, Terri has seen her parents being taken advantage of in many situations of the barriers they face. She became very protective of her parents and learned to be an advocator. Terri received BSE degree in Special Education from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in hoping to teach them to overcome the barriers her parents had. Terri also received her Reversed Skills Certification (RSC) from RID and has evaluated interpreters for RID certification. She has been involved in various deaf organizations. Her strong will in advocating and helping others led her to become a pastoral worker within the Catholic deaf community. Terri went on to receive her MA degree from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. Her thesis was on “Preparing for the Final Stage of Your Life.” She taught a class on her thesis and is continuing to help others to be aware and prepare their final stage. Terri is currently the President of the Southeastern Wisconsin Deaf Senior Citizens, Inc. since 2015. She is dedicating strongly on advocating and breaking down barriers that the deaf seniors are facing especially in the healthcare environment. She worked hard to enhance the physical, economic and social wellbeing of deaf and hard- of-hearing seniors by promoting their common interests through informational and educational means.

Trenton Marsh has been a communicator since he was knee high to a short chihuahua. Born to deaf parents and deaf siblings, he grew up attending the California School for the Deaf in both Berkeley and Fremont. After a year and a half at NTID majoring in Art, he went back West as a young man. His long and winding journey led him to Salt Lake City, Utah where he got his Deaf Interpreting certification and started interpreting and mentoring in the mid 2000s. Trenton has interpreted in a wide variety of settings and has specialized in medical interpreting over the past two years. He still lives in Salt Lake City with his wife Bonnie and two COCA-CODA kids, Madi and Rider.