Hello! I am Darian Gambrell, the new DEAF, Inc. Executive Director. I want to thank each one of you for your emails, FB messages, texts, and phone calls. It has been a humbling experience thus far, thank you again! 

Who am I? I learned ASL at the age of 10. At that time, my family lived in a small town in Virginia. They decided to make the move to a bigger city, Washington, DC, because there were better opportunities for me. I am forever grateful for my family for making this life changing decision. After learning ASL, I went to Gallaudet University for my BA and MA. I worked at Gallaudet for 16 years then moved to North Carolina to be closer to my family. At that time, my mother lived in NC, and I wanted to be closer to her. I worked as a Manager at the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing regional center in Raleigh, NC.  My work has always been in the community, and I love it! In my free time I enjoy going to plays, short get-away trips, learning the history of different towns and cities, and much more!

The positive energy you give me will go towards DEAF, Inc’s mission to inspire the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and Late-Deafened communities on self-determination and awareness of your rights. This is not the work of 1 person but a community which is a team. Your partnership with us is valuable, and resources will always be exchanged.

There is so much I want to share, but I am committed that we will meet! More information about where we can meet each other will be shared with the community in the next few months. 

Did you know on September 19th the Red Sox is hosting Deaf Day? I will be there! I hope you already bought your ticket to have an afternoon of fun while being safe to cheer on the team! Here is the link to purchase tickets: 

www.deafinconline.org/post/red-sox-night-2021

You may reach me by email at frontdesk@deafinconline.org or by VP at 617-505-4823 to meet me. 

I want to thank you again for the wonderful welcome. See you soon!

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Sheryl Spera

Executive Director Search Committee Member and Board Member

DEAF, Inc. is embarking on an exciting new chapter. DEAF, Inc. has selected as its new Executive Director, Darian Burwell Gambrell, effective September 2021! Gambrell succeeds Sharon Applegate, who will retire this month after 18 years of service to DEAF, Inc.

The organization is the only Massachusetts community-based, multi-service nonprofit run by and for Deaf (Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened) adults. DEAF, Inc. is founded on the principle of self-determination and the rights of Deaf people to identify their own goals and follow through on achieving them, taking increasingly independent charge of their lives.

The search, which was first announced in March 2021, was led by a search committee of staff members and Board representatives and facilitated by Innivee Strategies, Inc., a Deaf-owned and led organizational and leadership development company.

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Wesley Ireland

Board President

The search process attracted a group of excellent candidates who brought their unique experiences and vision for the organization. We are excited to welcome Darian Burwell Gambrell as DEAF, Inc.’s new Executive Director. She is a true champion of the community. Darian impressed the search committee and the Board with her transformative leadership philosophy and the depth of experience she brings to the role.

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Darian Burwell Gambrell

Incoming Executive Director 

DEAF Inc. has had an amazing impact on the Massachusetts community over the past 44 years through its educational and human services. I look forward to getting to know the many people and groups who have been impacted by and supported DEAF, Inc., and building a shared vision for the organization’s future together.  Thank you for your confidence in me to continue to lead DEAF, Inc.’s vision. I look forward to meeting with the staff, community members, and current/new partnerships in the Massachusetts area. One of my priorities at DEAF, INC will be to expand visibility on the top services and resources DEAF, Inc.  has to provide. I can’t wait to meet you! 

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Sheryl Spera

Executive Director Search Committee Member and Board Member

Since 2017, Gambrell has been a manager at the Raleigh regional center of the North Carolina Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, which has seven regional centers across the state. Prior to this role, Gambrell was well-known at Gallaudet University for her student-centered management; she oversaw the Office of Student Success and had a leadership role in the university’s JumpStart and Peer Mentoring programs for incoming students. Gambrell has worked in several positions in non-profit, colleges, and state agencies throughout her career. She is a current member on the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University and a former board member for Arts Access, Inc. Gambrell hosts community conversations and workshops and has since cultivated a reputation as an engaging facilitator on diversity and inclusion dialogues. 

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Shane Feldman

CEO - Innivee Strategies

Hello! My name is Shane Feldman. I am the CEO for Innivee Strategies, Inc. The DEAF, Inc. Executive Director search committee and board did an incredible job in leading the search process in collaboration with our company. The process was co-created and designed with an emphasis on involving stakeholders and building trust in the search and selection process. Their efforts resulted in the selection of Darian Burwell Gambrell, the new Executive Director of DEAF, Inc. Her qualifications, leadership, and vision are parallel with what the organization and community shared that they wanted from the new DEAF, Inc. Executive Director. Both DEAF, Inc. and Innivee Strategies, Inc. wish to extend their appreciation to the DEAF, Inc. community members who contributed to the search process and to all individuals who applied for the role.

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