Open Letter: NAD President Lisa Rose Must Resign

Call to Action

Open Letter From Regions II, III, IV: NAD President Lisa Rose Must Resign

Region II has been without full representation on the NAD Board since January 2025. For nine months, our members have been denied equal access to governance and excluded from decisions that impact thousands in our community. Region III is also unrepresented. The Secretary’s position remains vacant since May 2025 and under Article 4.9.2 of the bylaws, both the President and Secretary are required for special meetings. Leaving this office empty has effectively obstructed the Board from convening to address the crisis.

A couple of weeks ago, twelve Region II presidents and one delegate signed a letter urging NAD leadership to restore representation, fill vacancies, and ensure fairness in the CEO appointment process. Instead of receiving a response, we learned through social media that governance had been “paused.” We have since read Governance Chair Jacob Leffler’s clarification. While we respect the grievance process and the importance of mediation and training, no committee or individual has the authority to suspend Board operations. Article VIII, Section 8.2 of the bylaws makes clear that only the Council of Representatives may suspend bylaws, and only by a four-fifths vote.

As President of the Board, Lisa Rose bears ultimate responsibility. Under her leadership, the Board has:

Halted governance in violation of fiduciary obligations and bylaws.
Failed to fill vacancies in Regions II and III, the Secretary, Treasurer, and two Appointed Board Members.
Canceled the October 29 Board meeting without cause permitted under the bylaws.
Stalled the CEO search, leaving NAD without stable leadership.
Allowed the Board Policy Manual to be treated as superior to the bylaws, contrary to Maryland nonprofit law.

These are not isolated mistakes. They constitute gross negligence, breaches of fiduciary duty, and violations of NAD’s bylaws.

Therefore, Region II joins Region III and Region IV in calling for immediate change. On behalf of our state associations, we demand:

The immediate resignation of President Lisa Rose.
Upon her resignation and per the bylaws, the Vice President shall assume the role of President and, with guidance from the Past Presidents Council, oversee the appointment of new officers in compliance with parliamentary procedure, to serve the remainder of the 2024–2026 term until the biennial conference in San Francisco.

In addition, we require the following actions without delay:

Completion of the CEO search and appointment of a permanent Chief Executive Officer with a clear, public timeline
Filling of all vacant Board seats, including Regions II and III, to restore full representation and governance capacity.

For 145 years, NAD has defended our community, culture, language, and rights. Its survival depends on leadership that honors its mission, its members, and its bylaws. That leadership is absent today.

We call for immediate change. Our members deserve representation, accountability, and transparency. NAD belongs to the Deaf community — not to one President.

On behalf of the undersigned,

Ryan Peavy, President, Alabama Association of the Deaf

Katie Sienko, President, Arizona Association of the Deaf

Jake Pfau-Martinez, President, Colorado Association of the Deaf

Calvin Britt, President, Florida Association of the Deaf

Lisa Myhand, Vice President, Florida Association of the Deaf

Amy Cohen Efron, President, Georgia Association of the Deaf

Fara Harper, President, Illinois Association of the Deaf

Jeffrey Spinale Jr., President, Indiana Association of the Deaf

Susan MacDonald, President, Iowa Association of the Deaf

Katie Wise, President, Kansas Association of the Deaf

Jason Smith, President, Kentucky Association of the Deaf

Sherry Crosby, President, Louisiana Association of the Deaf

Lawson McNally, President, Michigan Deaf Association

Lindsey Moon, President, Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens

Nathan Johnston, President, Missouri Association of the Deaf

Cam Tulloch, President, Montana Association of the Deaf

Jonathan Arteaga, President, Nebraska Association of the Deaf

Linsay Darnall Jr., Region II Delegate, Nebraska Association of the Deaf

Mike Lupo, President, North Carolina Association of the Deaf

Alex Gauger, President, Oklahoma Association of the Deaf

Jack Ludwig, President, Oregon Association of the Deaf

Mark Koterwski, President, South Dakota Association of the Deaf

Michael Armstrong, President, Tennessee Association of the Deaf

Charlene Sculley, President, Nashville Chapter Tennessee Association of the Deaf

Ashli-Marie Grant, President, Utah Association of the Deaf

Karen Atwood, President, Washington State Association of the Deaf

Anna Dorst, President, Wisconsin Association of the Deaf

Christopher Patterson, Former Board Member

James “Dino” Christianson, Jr., Former Board Member

Kim Thornsberry, Former Board Member

Michael Deuel, Former Board Member

Chris Haulmark, Former Board Member