AUSTIN, TX – July 16, 2025 – 8:00 AM Eastern Time – Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is thrilled to announce the hire of Elizabeth Stone as its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), to support CSD’s mission of uplifting the Deaf community and advancing accessibility for all its members.
Elizabeth brings more than 25 years of experience in conflict resolution, strategic leadership, and organizational development across higher education, nonprofits, and public service. Most recently, she served as a Program Management Specialist and Ombuds at the U.S. Department of State, helping programs navigate complex challenges through practical strategy and collaboration. She holds a Master of Public Administration from American University, a Certificate in Mediating Disputes from Harvard Law School, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Before her time in public service, Elizabeth spent nearly a decade as University Ombuds and Director of Ombuds Programs at Gallaudet University, providing confidential and independent conflict resolution support to students, faculty, staff, and senior leaders. She is also a certified mediator and restorative justice facilitator, trained through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and the University of San Diego.
“At all of the organizations I’ve been a part of, I’ve worked to seamlessly integrate people and systems for success,” Elizabeth said. “I look forward to infusing this same approach in my work as I continue to support and elevate the mission of CSD.”
Her background also includes leading major federal initiatives at the Clerc Center under the Education of the Deaf Act, securing funding for scholarships and research at Gallaudet University, and delivering nationwide technical assistance for agencies supporting Deaf survivors of violence at the Vera Institute of Justice. Her experience in administrative leadership and people-centered design uniquely positions her for this pivotal role at CSD.
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CSD CEO Christopher Soukup shared his confidence in Elizabeth’s appointment, saying, “Elizabeth’s people-first approach, extensive experience, and commitment to access make her an outstanding addition to the leadership team. Her guidance and passion for empowering others will bring added strength and vision to CSD’s operations.”
In her new role, Elizabeth will focus on strengthening internal operations and nurturing a supportive environment where employees, initiatives, and programs can thrive. The entire CSD team looks forward to working alongside her as they continue building on a 50-year legacy of championing communication access, opportunity, and fairness for all.
For more information about CSD and our leadership team, visit csd.org/about.
About Communication Service for the Deaf
Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the largest Deaf-led social impact organization in the world. For five decades, CSD has been a leader in creating and providing accessible and innovative solutions for the Deaf community. Today, CSD continues its work to create opportunities for personal and economic growth within the Deaf community, specifically addressing leadership and employment. For more information, please visit CSD and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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