Children of Deaf Adults, INC.
The CODA International Board consists of 9 active Board members:7 regional representatives and 2 Member-at-Large positions. Email Board members by selecting your region below.Elections for in-coming Board members takes place online, prior to annual conference and transitions occur at the close of conference. |
Tshepiso Betty Mokoena born to Deaf parents, currently based in the City of Cape Town: South Africa, working for the University of Cape Town (UCT), worked for the South African Parliament as a South African Sign Language (SASL) Practitioner. She’s the Founder & Director of Tshepiso Mokoena Foundation (tmfsa.org).
Studied a National Diploma in Linguistics of South African Sign Language at the University of Witwatersrand in 2000. Subsequent to that transcribed and translated Deaf life stories of Gays and Lesbians in South Africa working with Dr. Ruth Morgans at Gays and Lesbian Archives (GALA ). Furthered her studies at Regenesys Business School, completed Post graduate Diploma in Business Management. In addition to that she obtained different advanced certificates in Project Management, Presentation skills and Desmond Tutu Women in Leadership program. Working alongside her paternal uncle who is also Deaf, she has initiated various advocacy programs for the Deaf communities from 2001 to date. Officially founded Tshepiso Mokoena Foundation (TMF) in 2012, a Board Member of Sign Language Education Development (SLED), Mentored SA Sign Language Interpreters, a World Pulse Community Contributor and Listener for Women Development. Advocating for change and utilising Media to raise awareness and to fight for the plight and rights of the Deaf communities of South Africa. This has been her passion and drive from the early days of 2001. She is a recipient of the 2013 Professional Fellows Distinguished Impact Award, commissioned by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S Department of State. Completed Women in Business Mentorship Program with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women based in the UK. 2016 L'oreal Paris Women of Worth Honouree. All these achievements are attributed to the advocacy work she has been doing in the Deaf communities of South Africa.
Represents US States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Trudy Schaefer
Member at Large, Term: 2020-2022
Represents general membership without restriction to regions.
Trudy is an OCoda originally from Chicago who has lived in Boston since the early 90s. Married to Coda, Bob Hoffmeister, she has 4 children one of whom is Deaf and 4 granddaughters, one of whom is a koda. She has a long history of board participation with many organizations including CODA International where she served as president for 2 terms (1997-2001). She's a certified interpreter and interpreter educator. She had a dual career in state and local government for 12 years while interpreting. She holds graduate degrees in public administration and interpreter education. As a member of CODA International for over 30 years, she looks forward to serving the membership as Member at Large.