Michelle McConaghy

Executive Director

Pamela Lovejoy

Education and Resource Center Program Coordinator

Pam is a licensed Teacher of the Deaf and coordinates education services for deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind students statewide. She collaborates with FCESS (Family-Centered Early Supports and Services) programs and school districts across the state to provide early intervention and school-based services to families and their children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. 

Kara Crumrine

Education and Resource Center Assistant Program Coordinator

Kara is a DeafBlind Intervener currently working in the elementary, mainstreamed setting,  focusing on environmental and communication access for students with dual-sensory loss. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire’s ASL/English Interpreting program and previous study in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Kara’s specializes in educational implementation for students with CHARGE syndrome. In addition to her direct 1:1 services, Kara assists Pam with events, information referral and programming in the Education and Resource Center, such as the Family Sign Language Program. 

Ivan Padial

Communication Facilitator

Ivan lost his hearing at the age of 2, and identifies as Deaf. He was raised as an Army brat in the Americas and Europe. Upon returning to the States, he attended a primary and secondary program at Gallaudet University (Kendall/Model Secondary School for the Deaf) in Washington D.C.. He then attended National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, NY, and Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, Oregon. Ivan is passionate about teaching American Sign Language and sharing his knowledge of Deaf culture. He also is passionate about working with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and developmentally disabled people in both Washington State and New Hampshire as an Independent Living Assessor and Employment Consultant.

Riley Denney

Communication Facilitator

Riley was born down South, but grew up in Sunapee, NH. The first time she was exposed to ASL was during her senior year of high school. Taking this course sparked her interest in the language, culture, and community. She attended Towson University in Maryland and obtained a BS in Deaf Studies. She then continued pursuing interpreter training at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA, by completing an Interpreter Training Program (ITP). Since graduating from the ITP, she has worked towards becoming a licensed interpreter here in NH. She loves working with children and plans to work towards further national and specialist educational certification.

Emma Groenewal

Communication Facilitator

Emma was born and raised in New Hampshire. The first time they encountered ASL was as a language credit in their freshman year at Pinkerton Academy. She became enthralled by the world of ASL and studied it all four years of high school. Emma continued learning ASL at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester. They graduated with a B.S. in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. Post-graduation Emma worked as a DSP for Deaf+ adults in a residential setting. She continues her work within the Deaf Community as a communication facilitator at NDHHS.

Karen Poma

Educational Interpreter

Karen’s journey with ASL began at the age of ten, marking the inception of her profound connection to the Deaf community. From those early beginnings, she has remained intricately woven into the fabric of the Deaf community. Notably, Karen’s childhood was enriched by her attendance at Camp Isola Bella, a Deaf camp, where she stood as the sole hearing participant. In 1996, Karen achieved a significant milestone by graduating from NECC with a degree in interpreting, setting the stage for her impactful career. She excels as an ABA/Interpreter within the middle school environment, seamlessly bridging communication gaps and fostering understanding. Beyond her professional commitments, Karen finds joy in her family, including her husband, two adult children, two young stepdaughters, and her beloved dogs. 

Kiernan (“KJ”) Johnston

Educational Interpreter

Born in Pennsylvania, Kiernan (aka KJ) grew up all over the east coast, spending most of their childhood in New England. They first started learning ASL during their junior year at Pinkerton after meeting a Deaf person they could not communicate with. KJ later went to the University of New Hampshire at Manchester to pursue a Bachelor’s in ASL/English Interpreting. During their education and since graduating, they have worked at Beverly School for the Deaf, and the Walden School at The Learning Center for the Deaf. Kiernan is currently interpreting in an elementary school setting; their future plans include taking the EIPA and being a freelance interpreter.

Maddie Saab

Maddie has two roles at NDHHS: communication facilitator and referral coordinator. As a communication facilitator, she provides language access through direct 1:1 service to Deaf/Hard of Hearing students in the classroom. In her referral role, she prioritizes community member communication needs while filling requests for interpreters in a wide variety of settings. In May of 2022, Maddie graduated from the UNH-Manchester ASL/English Interpretation program. She loves a good coffee and getting to know people! Maddie is happy to be part of this team that is passionate about effective language access.

Sydney Aube

Communication Access and Referral Coordinator

Sydney is the Referral Department team leader. Referral serves the Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities by connecting freelance ASL/English interpreters and CART captioners with hiring parties (i.e. hospitals, schools, and workplaces), from general to Part B requests. Sydney graduated from the UNH-Manchester ASL/English Interpretation program in May 2022. She earned her NH state licensure in 2022 and is currently working towards NAD-RID national certification (NIC). She loves reading and getting outdoors with her dog, Otis! As a referral coordinator, she is passionate about the ADA and communication access rights.

Polly Lorien

Communication Access and Referral Coordinator

Polly grew up in Montana and had an exciting career as a hot glass artist before shifting her focus to ASL/English interpreting. As a part of the NDHHS Referral Team, she specializes in legal referral and back-of-house tasks like invoicing, onboarding interpreters, and coordinating the EMIS program. Along with Sydney and Maddie, Polly also graduated from the UNH-Manchester Interpreter program in May of 2022! She passed her state screening in fall of 2022 and is now working towards national RID certification (NIC). Polly’s dedication to language rights and due process is the driving force behind her legal referral work.

Kristy Stellato

Relay NH Outreach and Communication Technology Specialist

Kristy was born Deaf, raised in southwest NH, and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for her bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education. She has a hard of hearing brother and uses American Sign Language, but can code switch for Signed English, speech reading, and written English. She has had multiple roles in the DDBHH community (state wide and nationally) and is applying her experience from such roles to her position as a communication technology specialist and advocate.

Don Borror

Accountant / HR