Dr. Angel Ramos, President and Founder
Dr. Angel Ramos received his doctorate degree from Gallaudet University in 1997. Dr. Ramos has over 30 years of experience in the field of Deaf Education. He has been a Fulbright Scholar, an international presentator on education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, a former university professor and school superintendent. He brings a wealth of expertise to the development of the OptiSchool lesson modules. For more information about Dr. Ramos, click here.

Rochelle Heyniger, Executive Director
Rochelle comes to us from Michigan where she previously held several high level administrative positions with a major mortgage company.  Additionally, she worked closely with several Michigan elected officials by writing legislative bills and advocating on behalf of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.  She volunteers much of her time with new parents of Deaf and hard of hearing children helping them adjust to their children's hurdles in the hearing world.  The mother of two Deaf children, she shares the Foundation's passion to help Deaf and hard of hearing children become successful adults. An excellent communicator, she brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience in fundraising, marketing, and developing successful relationships with corporations and individuals.

Julia Michalka, Director of International Education
Julia brings a wealth of cultural dimensions to the Foundation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in the field of Anthropology from the University of South Florida. Julia's parents immigrated to the United States from Slovakia. Her expertise in anthropology and the connections she currently has with several European countries will greatly benefit the Foundation. Julia is currently employed as an Independent Living Coordinator for Self-Reliance in Tampa, Florida. She is very active in the Deaf community, serving as President of the Deaf Advocacy Network, Inc. and also President for the ASL Optimist Club of Tampa Bay.

Franky Ramont, Media Director/ASL Specialist
Franky has been an ASL Lecturer at the University of Texas since 2000. She graduated with a B.S. in Business Management at Gallaudet University in 1990 and a M.A. in Deaf Education with a minor in Reading Specialist in 1997. She has been teaching ASL as a foreign language and Interpreter Training Programs at seven different Universities since 1994. She is also a freelance CDI in Texas and the Production Director of DeafACT, Inc.

Marianne Sasseen, Curriculum Specialist
Marianne has been a Deaf culture lecturer and teacher for last ten years. She also provides many workshops related to Deaf Culture. Marianne graduated from Gallaudet University with both a B.A. and M.A. She is also very involved with the Deaf community in Dallas, Texas. She is currently President of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Secretary of the Dallas Association of the Deaf.

Claudia Lee, Assistant to the President
Claudia is a nationally certified interpreter with an outstanding history of advocating for the rights of Deaf people in the state of Michigan. She owns her own interpreting agency, Equal Access Communication, Inc. She is an adjunct professor at Oakland Community College. Claudia also teaches in-service trainings at the police academies for other local Community Colleges on how police should work with Deaf citizens of Michigan. In addition to her duties as Assistant to the President, Claudia is the webmaster for the Foundation.