Lise Hamlin joined the Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) national staff as director of public policy in April 2008. Ms. Hamlin, who has a hearing loss herself, has worked as an advocate for people with hearing loss for some 20 years. She currently represents HLAA on federal advisory committees, industry advisory groups, and consumer coalitions. She has also taken part in developing, maintaining and presenting training programs on hearing assistive technology and on emergency preparedness. Ms. Hamlin fields emails and calls daily from consumers with hearing loss who experience barriers to employment, technology, access to public places and telecommunications access and works directly with them to help overcome those barriers. Ms. Hamlin has been recognized with a national Oticon Focus on People award, a Spirit of SHHH award and the F. Michael Taff award from the Human Rights Commission of Rockville, MD.
Beth Torp is a Washington, DC native, graduating from The Catholic University of America with a degree in Philosophy and English. Beth owned and managed an Environmental Consulting Firm for 17 years. In addition to coordinating the N-CHATT program Beth works as a Special Education Para-Educator with Montgomery County Public Schools.