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Headquarters Staff

Shane H. Feldman, M.S., CAE
Executive Director
sfeldman@rid.org

 

Shane H. Feldman, a native of the Metro D.C. area, comes to RID with years of association management, business and advocacy experience. He received his Master's degree in management from the University of Maryland University College and his Bachelor's degree in Professional and Technical Communications from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Shane is a staunch advocate for accessibility rights especially those related to closed captioning, although he serves the community in several other areas including his work with VRS and the FCC, the Maryland Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Maryland School for the Deaf. In his spare time, Shane enjoys spending time with his family. Read more about RID's new Executive Director, Shane Feldman, here>>

Ethical Practices System Department

Matthew O’Hara, M.S., CI and CT, NAD IV, CAE, Ext. 214
Director of Ethical Practices System & Special Projects
MOHara@rid.org
VP: (571)384-5849

 

Matthew is a native of West Palm Beach, FL. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and a Master of Science in Education and Human Services Administration from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Matthew, who has more than thirteen years of association management experience, is an active member in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), currently serving on the ASAE Professional Conduct Committee. He holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from ASAE. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering with the Special Olympics, reading and spending time with his family.

Public Policy and Advocacy Department

Julie Schafer, Esq., Ext. 237
Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
Jschafer@rid.org

 

Julie, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, has experience in advocating for communication access for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals. She was the Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), served as the Office’s Communications and Special Projects Coordinator and the Senior Staff Assistant. Ms. Schafer received her Bachelor of Science in Deaf Studies and English from Towson University, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore in 2009. In her spare time, Julie enjoys travelling, cooking, and dabbling in new languages. Julie is also an avid Baltimore Orioles fan.

Operations Department

Elijah Sow, Ext. 205
Director of Operations
ESow@rid.org

 

Elijah is a native of Senegal. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and an Associate in Economics. He worked for BearingPoint, formerly KPMG Consulting and came to RID with several years of conference services and office management experience. In his spare time, Elijah enjoys working out, reading and playing classical guitar.

Catherine McKenna, Ext. 200
Administrative Specialist
CMcKenna@rid.org

 

Catherine McKenna is a native of New York City and a former Air Force wife has lived all over the United States and Europe.  She has a background in administrative work and customer service.  She has four grown children and in her spare time reads, does needlework and spends time with her family.
 

Finance Department

Sarah Luo, Ext. 206
Accountant
SLuo@rid.org

 

Sarah is a native of China. She holds a Bachelor of Industrial Enterprises Management in Business degree from Yunnan University and is a certified Industrial Accountant in China. Sarah has more than 6 years of accounting and finance experience. She worked for the National Kidney Foundation as an Accountant/Office Manager before coming to RID. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, tennis, volleyball and traveling.

Jennifer Apple
Accounting & Project Specialist
JApple@rid.org
VP: (571)384-5201

 

Jennifer hails from northeast Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Gallaudet University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her growing family, reading and exploring new cuisines.

Certification Department

Dan Ebeling, Ext. 211
Certification & Education Manager
DEbeling@rid.org

 

Dan is originally from Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, MI.  He graduated from Hope College with a degree in Vocal Music Education.  With a background in customer service, he has most recently been employed in the private education industry.  Currently, he sings regularly in two choirs and is also learning to play the banjo.  The rest of the time, he enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with his lovely wife.

Renée Kunia, Ext. 224
Certification & Education Specialist
RKunia@rid.org

 

Renee is originally from the Northern Virginia area.  She has a finance, administrative and customer service background.  In her personal life, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband and grandmother. 
  
Cassie Wykle, Ext. 232
Certification & Education Specialist
CWykle@rid.org

 

Cassie was born and raised in Northern Virginia.  She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.  She is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College to gain an Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language-English Interpretation.  She hopes to continue her education and achieve a Masters degree in Linguistics.  When she is not doing something for school she enjoys playing with her chinchilla, relaxing outside, and baking.   
 

Professional Development Department

Carol Turner, Ext. 212
Professional Development Specialist
CTurner@rid.org

 

Carol was born in Southeast D.C., but grew up in Waldorf, MD. She attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Her previous work experience includes working with victims of domestic violence/sexual assault as an outreach counselor and court advocate in non-profit agencies. She has spent 10 years in customer service and loves working with people.  Carol in her spare time enjoys listening to different genres of music, adding movies to her 300 plus DVD collection, cooking new recipes and spending time with her husband.
 

Communications and Meetings Department

Tina Maggio, Ext. 208
Director of Communications
TMaggio@rid.org

 

Tina hails from Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Tina’s previous experience includes working for Congressman Mike Doyle in his district office in Pittsburgh and on Capitol Hill. She enjoys family time and playing with her son, Aiden, and her daughter, Samantha.

Lindsey Walter, Ext. 210
Communications Manager
LWalter@rid.org

 

Lindsey is a native of Holland, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing from Michigan State University. She also studied at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. Lindsey's previous experience includes state government, magazine publishing and public relations work for a small non-profit organization. Lindsey likes to exercise, spend time with family and friends and travel.

Devon La May, Ext. 201
Communications and Productions Coordinator
DLamay@rid.org

 

Devon is originally from the California Bay Area. She moved to Utah in high school and remained there until she graduated from college. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Deaf Studies from Utah Valley University and completed an internship working with Deaf children in the Utah school system. Most recently, Devon worked as an ASL Employment Specialist in the greater Salt Lake City area. Devon enjoys reading, dancing and her family.

David Wagner, Ext. 236
Meetings Manager
DWagner@rid.org



David is originally from Kansas. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelors of science in Event Management. He is an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). In his spare time, David enjoys playing volleyball, card games (euchre and cribbage are his favorites) and relaxing in his hammock with a great book.
 

Member Services Department

Ryan Butts, Ext. 203
Director of Member Services
RButts@rid.org



Ryan was born in New York City and moved to Virginia when she was 13. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Before coming to work at RID, she worked at the University of Mary Washington in a community based program for minority students. In her spare time, Ryan enjoys going out with friends and spending time with her family.

Erica White, Ext. 204
Member Services Manager
EWhite@rid.org

 

Erica is originally from Little Rock, AR. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Howard University in Washington, DC. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends and chasing after her toddler, Kaden.