Samond Bishara hails from Deaf family in California.  He has been with VRS Interpreting Institute since 2010 as a faculty.  He is certified as a deaf interpreter since 2016 and has worked as freelance and deaf video interpreter.  His hobby is making a sushi.

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Stephanie Mathis, a Southern California native, is the executive director of Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf (SLCAD) in Salt Lake City, Utah. She worked for SLCAD for 10 years and enjoys working with people who are passionate about keeping the Deaf Community safe. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counseling license and is a Certified Deaf Interpreter and a court approved interpreter in the state of Utah. Not only does Stephanie work with survivors of abuse, but much of her time is spent on training service providers such as interpreters, law enforcement agencies, mental health counselors, lawyers, and domestic violence shelter staff to provide accessible and effective services to Deaf survivors of abuse. She has other passions: her family (3 sons, one daughter, a loving husband) AND dancing.  Stephanie is a certified Zumba Instructor who’s outlook on life is much like the Leann’s Womack’s song “When you have the choice to sit it out or dance…I hope you DANCE!”

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