2020-2022 DWR Board
Bio:
Lori Jeanne has been living in Rochester for 33 years, having moved from Springfield, MA to attend NTID (SVP ’89). She received a degree in Marketing & Sales from Bryant and Stratton College in 1995. After several years as a full-time mom to her four beautiful children, she worked as a pre-K paraprofessional with the Rochester City School District and then as a home health aide with Unity Health System. She now works as a Rehab Caregiver for Rochester Regional Health. Lori Jeanne is committed to lifelong learning, taking workshops and continuing education courses online, and pursuing master trainer. She became a Beachbody Coach in 2011 and loves it! Her favorite hobbies are gatherings, tea parties, dancing, listening to music, traveling, boating, arts and crafts, nutrition and fitness, meditation, and spending quality time with her husband, family, and two affectionate cats, Bruce and Sunshine. Lori Jeanne previously hosted DPHH and DNO events and currently hosts an annual outdoor tea party. She is now humbled and honored to serve the community of Deaf Women as the President of DWR.
Kathryn Detherow
Secretary
dwrsecretary1@gmail.com
Bio:
Kathryn moved to Rochester from Las Vegas to experience a deeper connection with the Deaf community and finish her educational aspirations. After having graduated from Nevada State College with a Bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies (Cum Laude) and a minor in Psychology, she is excited to finally pursue her Master's degree in Nursing as a Nurse Practitioner in Mental Health or Family Practice. She has two grown children; when she is not spending time with her family and fur babies, she enjoys traveling, biking, hiking, backpacking, and reading. Kathryn strives to serve and help empower Deaf women in the community and is excited to work in partnership with Deaf Women of Rochester as a Board member.
Kari Campos-Hamilton
Treasurer
Bio:
Graduated from the RIT Social Work program and currently work at NTID. I love animals and nature. Seeing sunsets where ever I am is always refreshing to my soul. Getting up for the occasional sunrise does wonders, as well. I love analyzing finances and learning about Financial Independence, hence the reason I became Treasurer. I am happily married and raising a wonderful kid! Hope to meet more folks at various events. Come find out which football team I support and what other sports I love. :-)
Donna Tuffner
Events Coordinator
Bio:
Hello all! I lived in Rochester for many years since graduating from RIT with my first degree in 1994. I am currently a faculty for the Business Studies Department at RIT/NTID teaching and preparing our future generation for the job market. I am a teacher by day and a pet sitter/dog boarder all the other times. I also work closely with dog rescues in the south by fostering dogs and finding furever homes/families for them in Western New York. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my four precious loves; three kitties and my big boy—a black shepherd. I am excited to be your new Events Coordinator for DWR and look forward to meeting you all at our DWR events!
Bio:
Ashley Letourneau grew up in the midwest and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communication (minor in Human Development) from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In 2014, she created Signs of Life, LLC, a business dedicated to teaching ASL, empowering Deaf individuals/families, as well as offering advocacy and support services. Then, after spending some time teaching at a private school in California, Ashley moved to Rochester to complete her Master's degree in Deaf education. Ashley enjoys acrylic painting, yoga/meditation, as well as taking nature walks. She's excited about being a part of an organization of like-minded women who are passionate, goal-oriented individuals and who share the Deaf experience.
Karen Putz
Website Coordinator
Bio:
Karen Putz is the author of multiple books, including “Unwrapping Your Passion.” Karen holds a BS and MA in Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a transformational coach and is known as "The Passion Mentor." Karen is an adjunct instructor at RIT, teaching "Finding Your Passion".
For fun, Karen likes to barefoot water ski. She is on a quest to barefoot water ski in all 50 states. New York was her 22nd state! Other fun activities include disc golf, painting, hiking, and exploring lakes on a SeaDoo.
Mary Karol Matchett
Advisor
Bio:
My name is Mary Karol Matchett and am working at NTID/RIT as an Assistant Vice President of Student and Academic Services (AVPSAS). I grew up in Bethlehem, PA and attended Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD), a deaf residential school for several years and Catholic schools and postsecondary at Marywood University before transferring to RIT. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) and a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Syracuse University. I landed my first career job as a social worker at John L. Norris Addiction Treatment Center for 5 years before taking on different job positions at NTID/RIT for career advancement. My biggest accomplishment was to get an education doctorate in Executive Leadership in Higher Education which has prepared me for my current job as AVPSAS. Working with deaf/hard-of-hearing students in higher education field is my professional passion. I always strive for better services and opportunities for anyone and will continue break down the barriers that prevents others both in schools and community in Rochester and Philadelphia areas from succeeding and it’s why I enjoyed serving on several committees: Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) Committee, Deaf IGNITE Advisory board, and PSD Board of Trustee. My favorite hobbies are reading, traveling, making cards, scuba diving, skiing, camping, kayaking, hiking, playing pickleball, golfing, watching football games (I root for Buffalo Bills and Eagles), playing board games, watching OO7 movies and spending time with my family and friends.
Wendy Dannels
ByLaws Consultant
Bio:
I am a research faculty in the NTID Center on Access Technology and strongly believe Western New York has two seasons: skiing and sailing. Also, I love shooting photos from different destinations around the world.
