Jackie Kanekuni
What are the nominee’s experiences?
Jackie was educational coordinator for first 10 years for Deaf Access Services (DAS), then later it became Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) of Maryland which is a non-profit organization for 16 years. She became operation manager for CSD for last 5 years and her responsibilities were managing variety of programs, workshops and interpreting services and later managed video relay services and community interpreting services throughout Maryland. She was a center manager for Purple Communications after CSD was closed for three years. She managed the center of VRS and community interpreting services. There, she acquired an entire range of experience with writing letters, documents, interviews, negotiations, fundraising, documents, financial reports, payroll, etc.
What are the nominee’s activities in the deaf community?
Jackie had been President of Frederick Deaf Seniors from 2016 to 2019 and has been involved with its activities. Also, she is a member of Maryland Association for the Deaf (MDAD) and currently is working as Retreat facilitator. Also, she is a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Society Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD). She is also member of the PSD Alumni Association which she serves as Assistant Chairperson of the Sports Hall of Fame committee. Last year, she served as assistant chairperson on the PSD Bike 2020 committee which we raised 6,500 k for PSD student scholarship fund during PSD2020 Bicentennial Celebration.
What does the nominee volunteer in the deaf community?
Jackie has been doing a lot of volunteer work for many years. Here are several instances: Jackie coordinated the “Miss PSAD” contest at PSAD Conference in 1979, coordinated 5K Run/Walk, a fundraising event for Maryland Association of the Deaf, manned a booth at the Art and Craft Show & Auction for Deaf Access Services, and volunteered as a lifeguard at the Boy Scouts’ canoeing event on Potomac River.
What are the nominee’s goals to improve PSDAA?
Jackie graduated from PSD in 1977 and enrolled at Gallaudet University, graduating in 1982 with a major in psychology. After that, she went on to earn a Masters of the Arts degree in Human Services from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Her parents, sister, brother, uncle, and aunt all attended PSD. Jackie is very grateful to PSD for providing her a good education which prepared her for college. For that, Jackie’s goal is to support the PSD Alumni and help to expand it and to become a stronger organization as well as help the students better.