Shawn Ribaudo

The Signing Room

Panelist

Shawn was born deaf and comes from a proud 3 generation deaf family.  He was mainstreamed in elementary school through high school graduation. Shawn was raised primarily using Signed Exact English but transitioned to ASL once in college.  He earned a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Wichita State University and is currently pursuing certification as a Deaf Interpreter. He is also the owner of The Signing Room, an online platform dedicated to supporting individuals who want to grow and practice their ASL skills.

Kellina Powell

Deaf Queen Boss

Panelist

Kellina Powell is a Deaf advocate and entrepreneur who attended a Deaf school until Grade 3 before transitioning into the mainstream education system, where she remained until graduation. She communicates vocally and relies on lip reading to engage with others. Kellina holds a degree in Psychology as well as a post-graduate diploma in Mental Health and Addiction. Currently, she works as a Caseworker while also thriving as a 4X best-selling author, mentor, coach, and international speaker, empowering individuals with disabilities and inspiring audiences worldwide.

LaKisha Stanley

Council of Exceptional Children

Panelist

LaKisha currently serves as a Program Support Specialist (PSS) for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) in her school district. With a Bachelors and Masters degree in Deaf Education (and currently working on her PhD), she has worked with DHH students for over twenty years, from birth to 12th grade. LaKisha is currently the President-Elect for the Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DCD), which is a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Stefanie Kessen

The Online Itinerant

Moderator

Stefanie is the Founder of The Online Itinerant, a platform supporting professionals and families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. With nearly 30 years’ experience from birth through graduation, her goal is to create environments where students thrive and reach their potential. Since 90% of DHH students are educated in neighborhood schools, Stefanie is especially passionate about providing support for this challenging setting. The Online Itinerant’s Professional Academy serves over 1,000 professionals and offers a thriving, growing community.