The Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing is pleased to announce the appointment of new board members. These individuals bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for our mission to advocate for communication access and equal opportunity with the 20% of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. 

Join us in welcoming the following individuals

• Adrienne Haugen (Advisory Committee Member): a representative of the Speaking DeafBlind community from Greater Minnesota
• Allison Mehlhorn (At-Large Member): a parent of an individual who is deaf/hard of hearing
• Barry Siebert (Advisory Committee Member): a representative of the Deaf senior citizens community and involved with Minnesota Deaf Senior Citizens
• Julie Svatos (Advisory Committee Member): a spouse and parent of Deaf individuals and a human service worker in Greater Minnesota
• Karla Sand (At-Large Member): a representative of seniors with limited hearing ability and involved with the Hearing Loss Association of America, Twin Cities chapter
• Samantha Porter (At-Large Member): a DeafBlind community member and a college student studying social work

We are also pleased to announce, for the first time ever, the addition of nonvoting ex officio members, representing state agencies.

• Bridget Walde: a representative of the Minnesota Department of Health
• Dan Millikin: a representative of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing State Services Division (State Services)
• Elise Knopf: a representative of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• Mary Cashman-Bakken: a representative of the Minnesota Department of Education

They join a fantastic board with strong commitment and leadership. We also extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the rest of the board members. 

• Aaron Peterson (Advisory Committee Member): a deaf parent of deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children, from Greater Minnesota
• Chandra Petersen (Advisory Committee Member): A rehabilitation counselor with Vocational Rehabilitation Services serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals in Greater Minnesota
• Jessica Eggert (At-Large Member): a DeafBlind college student and accessibility advocate
• John Fechter (At-Large Member, Vice Chair): a Deaf individual with a professional background in accessible telecommunications and nonprofit leadership
• Krista Dillman (At-Large Member): a professional DHH teacher, certified sign language interpreter, and mother to D/deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing children.
• Mohamed Mourssi-Alfash (At-Large Member): a deaf social justice and disability advocate with professional experience in continuous improvement and business process automation
• Peggy Nelson (At-Large Member): a professor of audiology at the University of Minnesota with a background in researching various hearing loss issues
• Rebecca Thomas (At-Large Member, Chair): a Deaf individual who teachers American Sign Language (ASL) at the high school and post-secondary level
• Sally Prouty (At-Large Member): an advocate on both the state and federal levels and parent of a DeafBlind adult

Learn more about the board members at Meet the Board.