Cecily is a deaf Montanan who has a Ph.D in Linguistics and over 20 years of experience working with ASL learners of all ages. A former professor of Linguistics, ASL, and Deaf/Disability Studies, she is currently working as an advocate and educator throughout Montana and the Northwest. She is the director of Montana Family ASL (MTFASL), a parent coaching program supporting bilingual/bicultural environments for deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and deaf/disabled children. Dr. Whitworth’s efforts include language instruction, parent coaching, IFSP and IEP advocacy, teacher training, community education, and policy-making. She is dedicated to the prevention and remediation of language deprivation in deaf and hard-of-hearing children who live in rural and/or underserved areas.

Caitlin Stueve, M.A. CCC-SLP, DHHS-P, is a speech-language pathologist and the founder of The Signing SLP: Deaf Positive Language Therapist Inc. She specializes in supporting deaf and hard of hearing children through affirming, accessible, and individualized language intervention. In addition to her educational background in speech-language pathology, Caitlin holds a graduate certificate in Early Intervention from Gallaudet University and was the first person to receive the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist–Practitioner certification. She serves as a regional representative on the board of California Hands & Voices. Her work centers on language access, equity, and building systems that honor each child’s unique communication profile.

Leah is the Director of the Early Intervention Studies graduate programs at Gallaudet University—programs she completed as a student. A proud three-time Gallaudet alum, she holds an MA in Linguistics (2010), a Graduate Certificate (2023), and an MA (2024) in Early Intervention Studies. She earned her PhD in Linguistics from The University of Texas at Austin (2016). Leah is the co-author of ASL at Home, a routine-based ASL curriculum for families with young deaf children, and serves as a Commissioner for the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) and as a Board Member of the American Board of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ABDHHS).

Ms. Kei-Che is a Black Deaf woman, mother, Teacher of the Deaf, Doula, and aspiring Midwife. She is also the founder of STEPS (Songs To Enhance People Signing). She is the first Black and Deaf alumna from Goldman Sachs: One Million Black Women: Black in Business Initiative. Hailing from the Midwest, Ms. Kei-Che graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Public Health: Women’s Health. She is most passionate about bridging the gap between Deaf and hearing communities by providing Black Deaf Education and equipping all with American Sign Language from birth throughout their lifespan. In her leisure, she leads ASL Storytime at local libraries and volunteers with Bay Area Black Deaf Advocates.

Leala is a researcher of deaf education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the founder of Hands Land. Leala was a former educator of deaf children in an early childhood program, which inspired the creation of Hands Land, a non-profit organization that promotes language play through signed rhyme and rhythm. Leala has collaborated on initiatives in Viet Nam, Hong Kong, Morocco, and Rwanda as the deaf education expert. Leala provides professional development to teachers nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics pertaining to deaf education. Leala is specifically interested in exploring deaf-centered ways of teaching and learning.