Staff

sh@hearingbridges.org

Sallie Hussey is the president and chief executive officer for Hearing Bridges (formerly League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). Prior to joining the agency, she was a nonprofit consultant with Management Solutions Group specializing in strategic planning and fund raising. Previously she was the executive director of CASA, Inc. of Nashville, a nonprofit agency that works to find safe permanent homes for abused children, and was also an administrator with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital charged with overseeing growth and change of the community and family service divisions. Ms. Hussey has a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s in public relations from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where she also studied American Sign Language for two years.

Sallie is a long-time volunteer with CASA and Junior Achievement here in Nashville. She is the past president for the Association of Nonprofit Executives, a 2004 graduate of Leadership Nashville, member of the Downtown Rotary Club, and was named to the Tennessean’s list of top 40 under 40 business leaders.

ew@hearingbridges.org

Eric graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky., with a bachelor's degree in interpreting. He served on the staff of Deaf Services Unlimited, Des Moines, Iowa, and as a mentorship interpreter for Sign Language Associates, Washington, D.C. He was the recipient of the Department of Special Education Interpreter Training Outstanding Student Award and was selected to participate in the Theatre Development Fund at the Julliard School, New York City.

dk@hearingbridges.org

Donicé Kaufman graduated from The University of Oklahoma and Stephens College with a degree in dance and psychology. She has worked throughout Nashville in various positions that include program development and implementation at Baptist Hospital's Baptist Health & Fitness Center, education through various schools utilizing her cultural diversity program through dance, and publication through Benson Company, Zondervan Publishing, The Well Street Journal, and Cooking Light Magazine. Following a 17-year hiatus raising her four children, Donicé returned to school to study American Sign Language Interpretation. She graduated in May 2009 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language Interpreting from Nashville State Community College.

tb@hearingbridges.org

Ms. Baylor graduated from Gallaudet University with a BA in psychology and received her masters in Deafness Rehabilitation from New York University. Prior to joining Hearing Bridges, she was a mental health counselor for the South Carolina Department for Mental Health, and most recently a vocational coordinator at the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf in Tucson, Arizona.

ds@hearingbridges.org

Debbie was drawn to the Deaf community at the age of 21 when she met her roommate's deaf family. Since then, she has been an ongoing student of American Sign Language and teaches a basic sign language classes at her church. In 2004, Debbie retired from BellSouth and decided to broaden her skills to include transcription services. Debbie continues to be involved with Silent Dinners, Better Hearing & Speech Month picnic, Camp Rise & Sign, and other events involving the local Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

jo@hearingbridges.org

Joseph Ochoa, born Deaf as a result of Waardenburg Syndrome, graduated from Gallaudet University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Prior to working for Hearing Bridges, he worked at Nashville State Community College as an American Sign Language instructor. For many years, Joseph has volunteered and worked at Hearing Bridges in various capacities to include Assistant to the Youth Director, a scholarship panelist, educator, youth chaperone, and facilities maintenance. He has worked as a research assistant for the Psycholinguistic Department at San Diego State University and has been an educator assistant and assistant coach of high school and college wrestling teams. He is a talented storyteller, teacher, speaker, and author for the American Psychology Association. He is also a comedian who says, "Laughter is the best medicine!"

nr@hearingbridges.org

Nikki has Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, and a Masters degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She worked as a Research Assistant, a camp and after school counselor for youth, and in customer service before joining Hearing Bridges.

lc@hearingbridges.org

Laurie studied Sign Language Interpreting at Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn. She holds a Certificate of Interpretation and a Certificate of Transliteration. Laurie has earned the Specialist Certificate:Legal from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, joining just four other interpreters in Tennessee with this distinction. She has worked as an interpreter since 1996 and joined Hearing Bridges in September 2000. Laurie has taught American Sign Language and has made numerous presentations at workshops and conferences.

Lloyd is an active volunteer at Hearing Bridges and serves as a part-time van driver for the Youth Services Program. He was born totally Deaf. Lloyd is a graduate of the Tennessee School for the Deaf, Knoxville, Tenn. Lloyd is a retired linotype operator who worked for the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean for 33 years. He is an active Hearing Bridges volunteer. He is a member of Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Association of the Deaf; the Nashville Deaf Senior Citizens; Deaf Seniors of America, Inc.; and the Tennessee School for the Deaf Alumni Association.

Marilyn is a part-time employee. She lost her hearing from a case of Whooping Cough at age four. Marilyn attended the Michigan School for the Deaf, Flint, Mich., and graduated from the Tennessee School for the Deaf, Knoxville. Now retired, she served as a clerk for the Federal Reserve Bank for 26 years. Marilyn has become an active Hearing Bridges volunteer. She was honored as Youth Services Volunteer of the Year in 2002. Marilyn is a member of the Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Association of the Deaf; the Nashville Deaf Senior Citizens; the Tennessee Association of the Deaf; the Tennessee School for the Deaf Alumni Association; and Deaf Seniors of America, Inc.