DWU BOARD – Deaf Women United

Lissette Molina Wood

Accountability Chair

Lissette Molina Wood was born and raised in Miami, Floria. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a BA degree in Psychology. Formerly a middle school teacher of the deaf and students with special needs in the Miami-Dade Public Schools.

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Light skinned female with long brown hair with lipstick.

Jazzy Jones

Operations Chair

Currently residing in Rochester, by way of Buffalo, Jazzy earned her bachelor’s degree in business and communications from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2005. After graduation, Jazzy’s deep-seated passion for all things travel and social began with online storytelling. She spent her post-graduation years working for a major airline and travel retailer before switching gears to event planning and social media management. Years of experience has bought her back to her RIT roots, where she now serves as Assistant Director of Regional Outreach Projects. Jazzy is active with Deaf Women United and currently serves on the board as Operations Chair.

However, Jazzy’s favorite title in the world is “Auntie”. In her spare time, when she’s not doting on her 8 nieces and nephews, (including one on the way), you can often find Jazzy dashing through the airport to her next leisure destination. Jazzy also enjoys exploring vineyards, dancing to Prince music and rooting for everybody black.

Image Description: Black female with braids some purple color in the hair with silver earring and red lipstick.

Jessica Madsen

Outreach Chair

Jessica Madsen, was born and raised in Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Gallaudet University in 2008 and a Masters of Science in Deaf Education from NTID in 2010. She currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona and teaches Technology at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. from 2015-2017, she was the Social Media Coordinator for the Phoenix Deaf Women Organization Board. In her free time, Jessica enjoys being outdoors and spending quality time with her husband, Scott and two kids, Bryant and Harper. She also loves to root for the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs. Her passions include photography, graphic design, art, and athletics. Jessica is thrilled to be part of the DWU Board and she believes educating and empowering Deaf women will support a thriving Deaf community.

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Kristina Bernhardt

Programs Chair

Kristina Bernhardt is a first-generation American who immigrated from Moscow, Russia at a young age. After growing up on Long Island, New York, she attended Gallaudet and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a nurtured, profound passion in organizational leadership and administration, she decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.

While Kristina loves working hard, she also loves to play hard! She fulfills her passion of traveling, having been to more than 30 countries, by finding creative ways to travel. After living in Europe for a year, Kristina now resides in Knoxville, Tennessee and works at TSD as an administrator. She is obsessed with trying new vegan recipes (and eating the yummy results) along with reading mind-provoking books, learning about social justice, practicing mindfulness, and meeting people of different backgrounds.

Kristina feels honored to hold a position on the Deaf Women United Board as the Program Development Chair as she is proud to identify as a Deaf woman and she aspires to inspire others in embracing their identity through different channels through her investment in DWU’s Programming that is provided to Deaf women all over the United States.

Want to learn more? Feel free to email Kristina

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Kim Minard

Conference Chair

Kim grew up in Midwest (born in Iowa, lived in Illinois and Kansas). She graduated from Gallaudet University in Communication Arts. She finally broke ties with the Midwest and relocated to beautiful Arizona! She currently works for Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) as a Deaf Specialist.

She serves on the Deaf Women United (DWU) board as a conference chair and is on the Phoenix Deaf Women Organization (PDWO) board, Special Projects chair, planning for the #dwuphx2019 conference. She is ecstatic and looking forward to meeting all the wonderful, diverse and extraordinary women that the conference has to offer.

She loves good wine and good company! She LOVES to cook, especially for her friends and family! Most importantly, she loves Jalapeno, her 11 year old Cocker Spaniel to death!

Image Description: White female with black hair wearing eye glasses with black dress and purple scarf looking at the camera smiling!