Dr. Mei Kennedy brings personal and professional insight to her advocacy work, shaped by firsthand experience navigating the U.S. justice system while supporting her Deaf father during his seven and half years of incarceration in federal prison. A third-generation Deaf parent and the mother of a hearing son with autism, Dr. Kennedy champions inclusive practices across multiple communities.

She holds a doctorate in Instructional Design for Online Learning and consults on the integration of technology to enhance educational access for Deaf students. Dr. Kennedy serves as an impact advisor for the documentary Being Michelle, which spotlights the story of a Deaf woman with autism incarcerated in a system that failed to accommodate her. She is also a co-producer of the documentary Walker, which expands on the narrative first explored in the short film Breaking Silence, chronicling a Deaf father’s journey to becoming a prison chaplain after his daughter was incarcerated.

Her leadership extends to national organizations, having served on the boards of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI) and Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD).

Lisa Gonzales serves as the Statewide Deaf Access Specialist for the California Department of Developmental Services, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance accessibility and expand services for Deaf individuals across the state. With decades of experience as a Deaf interpreter and advocate, she began her full-time career with the Los Angeles Superior Court, providing interpretation services across diverse legal settings—including children's court, dependency court, and criminal trials—supporting victims, witnesses, defendants, and plaintiffs alike.

Her role frequently extended beyond the courtroom, collaborating with attorneys during jail visits to conduct mental competency assessments and prepare for trial. Lisa’s commitment to justice and accessibility continued at the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness (GLAD), where she served as Advocate Supervisor. In this capacity, she worked extensively with Deaf inmates housed in California Department of Corrections facilities, directly supporting over fifty individuals to ensure appropriate accommodations were implemented. Her efforts contributed to statewide reforms aligned with the Armstrong Remedial Plan, promoting systemic improvements in accessibility within the prison system.

In 2025, Lisa was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership for DeafPlus Individuals award by NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to linguistic access, human rights, and transformative advocacy for the Deaf community across institutional systems.

Stefanie O'Brien's professional expertise lies at the intersection of criminal justice and interpreting. Her academic credentials include an M.A. in Interpreting Studies, an M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law & Public Policy, and a B.S. in Occupational Studies with an emphasis on Emergency Services. Stefanie holds associate degrees in Interpreting Preparation (IPP), ASL/Deaf Studies, Language, and Liberal Arts and is currently pursuing a D/HH Educational Specialist teaching credential.

In Stefanie's recent Action Research Project at Western Oregon University, published in April 2025 as "Navigating the Labyrinth Through a Cultural Advocacy Perspective: Exploring a Staff Sign Language Interpreter’s Role in a California Prison," Stefanie delved into the multifaceted role of a Staff Sign Language Interpreter within a California women's correctional institution. This 3-year qualitative study specifically examined how an interpreter facilitated communication through sign language, ensured ADA compliance, advocated for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) inmates, provided ad hoc educational instruction, and mediated communication disparities, ultimately highlighting the intricate interplay between legal mandates, institutional constraints, and power dynamics in such a specialized setting.

Stefanie's professional background includes extensive freelance interpreting work across diverse environments, including medical, K-12, and post-secondary settings. Additionally, Stefanie brings over 16 years of experience in law enforcement and over four years of service at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Stefanie is also a certified ADA Coordinator.

Roger Williams is the owner of Hands On Interpreting, LLC, a private practice specializing in consulting and training related to the needs of deaf adults in the mental health system. Until his retirement in 2023, he was employed as the Executive Director of the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. He received his B.S.W. from the Rochester Institute of Technology, his M.S.W., specializing in community mental health, from the University of Illinois and completed coursework towards a doctorate at the University of South Carolina, College of Social Work. Mr. Williams is licensed in Florida and South Carolina as a Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practice/Supervisor and holds an RID Certificate of Transliteration and an SCAD/NAD IAP Level 5 and has been recognized at the state and national level for his leadership in mental health services within the Deaf community.

Tawny Holmes Hlibok, Esq., a third-generation Deaf person, is a passionate advocate for Deaf children’s education and language equity. A tenured associate professor in Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, she secured $3.75 million in federal funding to lead a national early intervention center for Deaf babies and their families. Tawny was the first Deaf executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and previously served as a White House Fellow under the Biden-Harris administration. Her work continues to center on policy, language access, and empowering the next generation of Deaf leaders and families.

Elizabeth Bowman, PhD, LICSW, LCSW-C, is an Assistant Professor at Gallaudet University in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Bowman earned her doctoral degree from Catholic University in 2020 and her Master of Social Work Degree from Gallaudet University in 2009. Dr. Bowman has a specialization in trauma-informed care and earned her Advanced Clinical Trauma Certification in 2021. She is a survivor of both CSEC and DMST, and founded a nonprofit in the Washington, D.C. area to support survivors of sex trafficking, the Restoring Ivy Collective.

Gabriel Lomas, PhD, is a Professor of Counseling and Director of Counseling Programs at Gallaudet University. He has done extensive work in the field of forensic evaluation and is a popular expert witness in court cases across the nation. Lomas has served as the co-editor for the Journal of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, as well as on the editorial boards of numerous journals in counseling and psychology. He is an editor and contributor for Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System, released in 2021 by Gallaudet Press.

Gabriel Lomas, PhD, is a Professor of Counseling and Director of Counseling Programs at Gallaudet University. He has done extensive work in the field of forensic evaluation and is a popular expert witness in court cases across the nation. Lomas has served as the co-editor for the Journal of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, as well as on the editorial boards of numerous journals in counseling and psychology. He is an editor and contributor for Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System, released in 2021 by Gallaudet Press.

Elizabeth Bowman, PhD, LICSW, LCSW-C, is an Assistant Professor at Gallaudet University in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Bowman earned her doctoral degree from Catholic University in 2020 and her Master of Social Work Degree from Gallaudet University in 2009. Dr. Bowman has a specialization in trauma-informed care and earned her Advanced Clinical Trauma Certification in 2021. She is a survivor of both CSEC and DMST, and founded a nonprofit in the Washington, D.C. area to support survivors of sex trafficking, the Restoring Ivy Collective.

Dr. Makoto Ikegami is a Deaf-licensed clinical social worker and founder of Deaf Multicultural Counseling, LLC. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in culturally responsive mental health and substance use services for Deaf communities. He frequently collaborates with interpreters in clinical and educational settings and is a national presenter on Deaf mental health, interpreter teaming, and recovery support. Dr. Ikegami teaches in MSW programs at Gallaudet University and Arizona State University and serves as President of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA).

Debra Guthmann, Ed.D., NIC, is a nationally recognized lecturer, administrator, counselor, researcher, educator, expert witness, presenter and advocate with over 45 years of extensive experience in service to the deaf community. Dr. Guthmann is the founding Director of the Minnesota Substance Use Disorder Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals which is one of the first inpatient treatment programs serving this population in the United States.  She has been involved with the validation of mental health, substance abuse and career related screening tools in American Sign Language. Dr. Guthmann was the Director of Student Services at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, CA, responsible for clinical services. She has published books, book chapters and articles focusing on substance use and ethics within the deaf community and is one of the editors and a contributor for a book published by Gallaudet Press titled “Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System: Selected Topics on Advocacy, Incarceration and Social Justice.  Dr. Guthmann serves as an advisor for a documentary film called “Being Michelle”, which focuses on the injustices that happened to a deaf and disabled woman while incarcerated. Additionally, Dr. Guthmann has served on a number of advisory boards and is the past President and current Vice President of The American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA).

Dr. Meghan L. Fox is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Rochester, NY. She specializes in neuropsychological testing and psychotherapy. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has expertise in working with deaf and hard-of-hearing people and their families. Dr. Fox has also served as a consultant and expert in administrative, civil, and criminal forensic cases. 

Dr. Fox completed her pre-doctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She has also held positions as a clinical instructor at the University of Rochester Medical Center and an Implementation Science Specialist with Centerstone’s Research Institute. Her editorial and journal contributions include academic articles and book chapters. She is a member of the editorial board for American Annals of the Deaf and a reviewer for Gallaudet University Press and the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. 

Dr. Fox enjoys clinical supervision with undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate trainees. Last but not least, she adds a unique element to her practice by incorporating her certified therapy dogs, Atreus (pronounced ah-trey-us) and Lucy. She believes in the therapeutic benefits supported by science and practices Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Mary Karol Matchett Ed.D. is a Deaf social worker with a doctorate in executive leadership in higher education.  She is currently Assistant Vice President for Student Services, National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, USA.  She serves on the University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry's Adivsory Council on Consumers and co-faciliates a Deaf Suicide Loss Support Group. Her professional passion is working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students in higher education.  She strives to create better services and opportunities to break down the barriers that DHH students may face.

Investigator Brian McCoy has worked in law enforcement in Rochester, New York, since 2006. He has developed a Deaf Liaison position in three different police departments and served as a Deaf Liaison for 14 years. He is part of the Drone Response Team and Accident Reconstruction Unit. Deputy McCoy is also a Crime Scene Technician, Field Training Officer and Disability Awareness Instructor. Deputy McCoy is committed to learning more about the Deaf community and working with the Deaf community to develop ways to work together to improve accessibility and relationships, including co-presenting at the 2022 ADARA conference.