Board of Managers

CASLI Board of Managers

The CASLI Board of Managers is separate from the RID, Inc Board of Directors and will oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of CASLI and provide leadership in the planning and development activities of CASLI. Managers are appointed by the RID, Inc. Board of Directors based on a strong background in interpretation, teaching, testing and measurement, certification finance and business, research, and other related skill sets. They also represent both the Deaf and interpreting communities and diverse stakeholders in the commitment to quality of interpreting services. The Board of Managers is comprised of at least 5 individuals who serve two-year appointments.

President
Sachiko Flores, MA

President@casli.org

Sachiko Flores, MA

As a proud daughter of Mexican-Japanese parents, Sachiko Flores grew up with an appreciation for nature and international communities at a very early age. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science at Texas A&M University in 2011. When she went to study abroad in Fiji and Australia, she was inspired to study more about natural resources and conservation, so she decided to join AmeriCorps and worked in various conservation corps programs.

Upon graduation with a Masters in International Development from Gallaudet University in 2014, she lived in Thailand for almost 2 years and worked with various people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. After coming back to the U.S., she saw the chance to create a new opportunity in expanding Deaf representatives in the outdoor community. This led her co-founding a nonprofit organization, CorpsTHAT, in 2016. Not only is she dedicated to conservation, she also contributes to the advocacy of international and local Deaf communities through her role as Executive Director of Deaf Worlds (DDW).

Treasurer

Ku Mei Butler Kern, MA

Ku.Kern@casli.org

Ku Mei Butler Kern, MA

Ku Mei Butler Kern was born to deaf parents and is a heritage signer. Her father grew up in California attending the Riverside School for the Deaf while her mother came to America from Hong Kong and received her schooling in the mainstream. With over 25 years of interpreting experience including owning her own agency in a diverse multicultural place such as Hawaii, she brings multiple perspectives to any discussion regarding the deaf community and interpreting. Additionally, she was part of the curriculum development team for COMPASS, an interpreting preparation program specifically for CODAS through Sorenson Communications. She holds degrees in Human Service Management and ASL Teaching (MA). She recently left her position at GoReact as a trainer and curriculum consultant to assist Sorenson Communications in bringing their interpreter education content and other educational materials to the public sector. Her hobbies include backpacking, hiking, yoga, and anything in the outdoors. She is often found lost in an article or book, or else finding adventure with her Goldendoodle and teenage daughter.

Secretary

Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer, NIC

secretary@casli.org

Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer, NIC

Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer is a Language Justice, Reproductive Justice and Disability Justice practitioner. She also conducts community-based, local, national and international research on critical theory, colonization of DDBDDHH body/minds and Deaf Education. She provides workshops, trainings, and consultations on multilingualism and DDBDDHH populations nationally and internationally. She’s been an educator and multilingual interpreter for more than 10 years. She also is a professor of Deaf Studies and Interpreter Education.

Valerie McMillan, MA, NAD IV

Valerie.McMillan@casli.org

Valerie McMillan, MA, NAD IV

Valerie McMillan, an OH CODA (Only Hearing Child of Deaf Adults). She is a certified sign language interpreter with over 25 years of experience in a variety of settings, with 19 years of supervising interpreting services. Valerie holds a MA in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity from St. Catherine University and her BS in Educational Interpreting with a Concentration in Deaf Education from Barton College by way of UNC-Greensboro. Valerie holds credentials in: Full NC License and NAD IV (Advanced).

She works at Sorenson Communications as a Regional Trainer in the Interpreter Education Program Development (IEPD) department. She recruits, mentors, teaches, and trains Deaf/coda/hearing sign language interpreters. She brings an extensive amount of experience on working on other boards such as, NAOBI (President), NCITLB (Chairperson), and NCBDA Chapter #30. Currently she serves on the following councils/boards:

IEP Advisory Councils

Sorenson’s DEIA Council

SECODA

Sorenson’s African American Advisory Council

NAOBI-NC

She received the 2020 Leadership Award at St. Catherine University while obtaining her MA degree. Her love for all mankind is her drive in her social justice focus she brings to this field.

Dr. Onudeah “Oni” Nicolarakis

onudeah.nicolarakis@casli.org

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Dr. Onudeah “Oni” Nicolarakis (she, her, ella) has been an educator for 15+ years, serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing students, from early childhood to higher education, using American Sign Language (ASL) and English bilingual methodologies. She received her BA in Early Childhood Education and her MA in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University in 2004 and 2006 respectively. In 2020, Dr. Oni received her doctorate degree from Columbia University—focusing on Deaf and Hearing writing skills and strategies. She has worked at California School for the Deaf- Fremont, Texas School for the Deaf, Lexington School for the Deaf, P.S. 347: “47” The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood), LaGuardia Community College, and Teachers College, Columbia University. As a working nomad, she is currently stationed at Gallaudet University as an assistant professor in the Department of Education. Outside of teaching, Dr. Oni has been involved in numerous organizations/committees in order to elevate Deaf/Hard of Hearing education: Lexington School and Center for the Deaf Board of Trustees, Language, Accountability, Support, and Empowerment Roundtable group (co-facilitator), National Association of the Deaf Education Strategy Team (teacher representative), National American Sign Language and English Bilingual Early Childhood Education (northeast region representative), Empire State Association of the Deaf education committee (chair), and Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf-Kids New York (point of contact). Anti-bias education is a passion of Dr. Oni’s and she has made it a lifelong goal of hers to ensure every marginalized person is given equity, access, and an even level playing field to thrive in this world. She believes it all starts with education.

About CASLI

who we are

President
Sachiko Flores, MA

Treasurer

Ku Mei Butler Kern, MA

Secretary

Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer, NIC

Valerie McMillan, MA, NAD IV

Dr. Onudeah “Oni” Nicolarakis

Recent Posts

About CASLI

who we are

PresidentSachiko Flores, MA

Treasurer

Ku Mei Butler Kern, MA

Secretary

Dr. Gloshanda Lawyer, NIC

Valerie McMillan, MA, NAD IV

Dr. Onudeah “Oni” Nicolarakis

Recent Posts

President
Sachiko Flores, MA