Bradley Bourgeois is a Test Development Analyst at Pearson, originally from Canada and now based in Rochester, NY. He designs teacher certification and licensure exams with a focus on equity, accessibility, and psychometric rigor. Outside of work, he enjoys ice hockey, running, and building PCs.

Andrew Cho is a Korean American Deaf community member and entrepreneur who has spent half his life in Rochester, NY. Raised in California, he has been actively engaged in advocating for accessibility and inclusion within the Deaf community. Andrew has volunteered with Deaf Kitchen Rochester NY and other Deaf community organizations. Now serving on the Deaf Equity Council of Monroe County, NY, he supports the Council’s mission to promote equity, accessibility, and language rights for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing residents. “Together, we can make Monroe County a place where
Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing voices shape our community’s future.” – Andrew Cho

Senior Institutional Research Analyst in the Office for Data Insights & Reporting at University of Rochester

As a Deaf native cuer and an ASL user since college, I would like to bring more awareness on how families of deaf/hard of hearing children can benefit by having unrestricted access to language and communication. As a data analyst, I also have a passion in deciphering masses of data and sharing the stories that they tell. With my experience in community development and data analysis, I have a great understanding of systems and how data can be used to fight oppression.

Dr. Kari Hansen obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in Applied Statistics from RIT and a doctorate degree in Measurement, Statistics, and Evaluation from University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to her current position as Assistant Director of Institutional Research at NTID, she had worked at the U.S. Census Bureau, Gallaudet University, and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General. Kari currently lives in Brighton, NY, spending time with her cat and traveling. She also plans to use her statistical expertise to aid the DEC in gathering and presenting data about our community here in Monroe County.

Nikolas Kelly is the Deaf Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Sign-Speak, where he leads the creation of groundbreaking AI tools that can recognize sign language in real time and translate it through a virtual signing avatar. A graduate of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), Nikolas is dedicated to delivering technology that truly reflects the lived experiences and needs of the Deaf community. By working hand-in-hand with Deaf individuals, he ensures that Sign-Speak’s technology supports daily communication and opens new opportunities for connection. His leadership and vision have been recognized nationally with the FCC Chairman’s Award for Advancement in Accessibility '25.

Sarah Kinor teaches Developmental English to Deaf and hard-of hearing students. She holds an MFA in Writing and an MA in English Literature, and she has also studied ASL. In her work, she privileges opening doors, often back doors, into the English language for Deaf people and has spent nearly two decades tackling this as a teacher/tutor, translator and writer. Her poetry has been published in Poetry International and accepted elsewhere. She is also passionate about supporting the Deaf+ community -- Deaf people who deal with additional challenges that often go overlooked and unsupported.

Jennifer Lowden is the director of the Chili Public Library. She is a hard of hearing member of Rochester’s chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). As part of that organization, she is on the Operations and Education/Outreach Committees and conducts their bimonthly book discussion group for those with hearing loss. She is also on the Boards of the Gates-Chili Chamber of Commerce, the Chili Public Library Foundation and a member of the Chili Lions Club and Rochester Women Leaders. She resides in Spencerport.

Yashaira “Yash” Romilus identifies herself as DeafBlind Latine Queer. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. Yash’s ethnic roots came from her parents who were born and raised in Puerto Rico. She brings to this world knowledge and experience that cannot be duplicated. She has studied Social Work and Spanish at Gallaudet University. She has worked as a PT Educator since 2016 on both national and international levels. Yash specializes in training and instruction in Protactile (PT) language. Her work in various leadership and mentorship roles has allowed her to share her many accomplishments with others through education and outreach connections. Her dedication for educating others about Protactile is the reason for continuing this work with PLI. Her work has also been recognized as a PT trainer under DBII (DeafBlind Interpreting Institute) located at Western Oregon University. In addition, her work in PT theatre is a testament to her creativity and passion to work with the DeafBlind community.

My name is Amy Stornello and I am currently the RIT/NTID Title IX Deputy Coordinator, having worked at RIT/NTID for 25 years. I support our Deaf/Hard of hearing campus community in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment that is free from harassment and discrimination against any member of the community on the basis of their sex or gender. A significant professional accomplishment was obtaining my 200-hour yoga teacher certification during COVID and sharing techniques I learned with the with the D/HH community as well as making it accessible for anyone who wants to do yoga. I am a curious person who values compassion, knowledge, balance and connection – as it’s important for all of us to feel connected to something and that includes being connected to the greater Rochester community.

Dora immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada, and later from Canada to the United States. She has held several positions in the mental health field and currently works as a mental health therapist for the Deaf Wellness Center. Dora is a licensed clinical social worker in New York, Ohio, and North Carolina. She resides in Pittsford, and her current term ends in 2027.

LeeAnne has a Bachelors in Psychology from University of Phoenix, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from University of Capella, she was trained and certified formally by Deaf IGNITE and Planned Parenthood to work with deaf clients who have gone through various traumas. She practiced as a clinical staff member at Deaf Wellness Center until 2021 and is currently a professor at RIT. Among other subjects, she teaches Diversity in the Deaf Community and Foundations of Dialogue: Understanding Black Experiences.