Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Barbara Kelley as the new executive director of HLAA. Her appointment is effective immediately.
Margaret Wallhagen, Ph.D., chairperson of the Board, commented, "Barbara’s commitment to HLAA is unquestionable. Her 28 years of dedicated service to the organization in various roles is exemplary. She has not only shown great leadership and fortitude in stepping into the acting executive director role this past January but also expresses a vision for the future that exemplifies an understanding of the needs of persons with hearing loss. We have every confidence she will transition smoothly into the official executive director role."
A search committee was appointed in February and chaired by HLAA Board member Jan Blustein, M.D., Ph.D. Blustein commented, “In her years rising through the ranks and culminating in serving as deputy executive director for the past eight years, Barbara has won the admiration of the HLAA community. We found deep support for her candidacy within HLAA and among our outside stakeholders. Her blend of abilities, talents, and familiarity with HLAA’s environment is just what we were looking for in our next executive director.”
Hired by Founder Rocky Stone in 1988, Barbara has been a part of the organization’s growth, beginning with editing the first issues of the SHHH Journal until most recently the award-winning Hearing Loss Magazine. She has also helped manage the office team and worked on many of the HLAA programs.
Barbara said, "It has been my life’s work to contribute to the mission of the organization through a range of activities. I look forward to using my history and knowledge of the organization to ensure that HLAA remains the valued consumer voice for people with hearing loss in both shaping public policy and helping people live well with hearing loss. I’m energized by our members and supporters whose dedication to HLAA is unwavering. I look forward to working with our members, board, supporters and staff in my role as executive director."
About the Hearing Loss Association of America
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979 as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH), opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, support and advocacy. HLAA produces the Walk4Hearing® in 22 cities across the country, publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions (Convention 2016 is June 23 -26 in Washington, DC), advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss, conducts educational webinars, and has an extensive network of chapters and state organizations across the country. For more information, visit www.hearingloss.org.
