The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has announced the recent hire of Valerie Stafford-Mallis, who joins HLAA as the director of chapter development. In this role she will be responsible for providing the leaders of HLAA Chapters with direction to help them effectively deliver the HLAA mission to their members and respective communities.
“As a person who lost my hearing during my working years, I have experienced firsthand the struggles faced by people with hearing loss to maintain employment, independence, and full participation in public life,” said Stafford-Mallis. “HLAA changed my life. I fully support HLAA’s mission to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss. I believe the local chapters and the state organizations are the foundation of the information, education, support, and advocacy that HLAA offers. I pledge to use my knowledge, skills and abilities gained from working in the public and private sectors to provide the leaders of HLAA Chapters with tools and support they can use in delivering this mission. Together we can make it happen.”
In her new director role, Stafford-Mallis will serve as the primary link between HLAA’s resources at the national office and chapter leaders. Her primary focus will be to assist leaders in sustaining healthy chapters while growing HLAA memberships. She will help those who want to start new chapters and provide leadership training, online resources, and programs geared to chapter members and the local community’s needs.
Prior to joining HLAA, Stafford-Mallis was the business development manager for Alternative Communication Services (ACS), LLC. She recently served on the HLAA Board of Trustees, is a member of the HLAA Sarasota/Manatee Chapter, and has been a major supporter of the HLAA Walk4Hearing. She is also a member of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults and has served on the ethics committee of the National Court Reporters’ Association (NCRA). She earned a master’s of business administration from Webster College.
Source: HLAA