Our People
Our Board of Directors
Cheri Perazzoli
President
Cheri is a national leader in hearing loss advocacy who has been recognized with multiple awards for her service and philanthropy. The founder of Let’s Loop Seattle and a member of the HLAA board of directors, she’s passionate about universal design and inclusion. Cheri’s vision and dedication have made Washington State a leader in hearing-friendly neighborhoods, laws, and policies. Cheri has made lifelong friends throughout her advocacy journey and is honored to serve alongside incredible HLAA-WA volunteers and advocates.
Glenda Philio
Secretary
Glenda Philio has been a member of HLAA since 2003 and a member of the HLAA-WA Board for many years. A retired dental hygienist, Glenda facilitates the Renton Support Group of HLAA-WA and credits them for helping her learn to cope with her hearing loss and prolong her career. She enjoys attending HLAA conventions and the friends she has made through HLAA.
Jennifer Oransky
Treasurer
Jennifer Oransky has been doing accounting work for nonprofits for over 30 years. She’s excited to be a part of an organization that speaks to her passion of helping and advocating for hearing loss community. In spare time, she does lots of walking, watching foreign movies, and enjoying the arts.
Sandra Bunning
Board Director
Sandra has been active with HLAA since 1997. The proud recipient of the HLAA Spirit Award in 2007, she organized a fundraiser at the national HLAA convention in Seattle in 2001 and continues to befriend, support, and encourage people with hearing loss today.
Karen Utter
Board Member Emeritus
Karen is an original trustee of the Washington State HLAA (formerly SHHH) and has been an HLAA-WA member for 32 years. She’s served as president and chapter coordinator and Seattle chapter leader. A Keystone Award recipient, she holds the history of HLAA-WA in her mind and heart, and she’s a friend to all with hearing loss.
Carolyn Odio
Board Director
A self-described “Navy Brat” fascinated by cultural experiences, Carolyn came to terms with her hearing loss later in life. Realizing hearing aids weren’t enough, she joined HLAA in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2017, which changed her life. She leads the hearing loss support group at Panorama senior living in Lacey, serves on our HOPE crew, and is our go-to tech expert.
Susan Hoxie
Board Director
Susan joined HLAA of Washington in 2024 driven by an interest in advocating for people with hearing loss. She has had bilateral hearing loss for over 30 years and understands the importance of communication access in all settings including work, home and in the community. Susan is a leader in market research and customer insights for the tech sector and has worked at Microsoft and several international research consultancies and is passionate about technology accessibility.
Erlene VanDerMeer
Board Director
Erlene VanDerMeer has been a longtime hearing loss advocate and a member of HLAA for over 25 years. Her hearing loss began in her 40s, when she was employed as a clinical audiologist, so she went from being a provider to a recipient! She has attended over twenty HLAA conventions and has been president of two Washington State HLAA chapters. Having benefited from support and friendship in her hearing loss journey, she is enthusiastic about letting others know the value and benefits of being a HLAA member.
Heidi Crabtree
Board Director
Heidi lost her hearing when she was five years old due to mismanagement of chronic ear infections. Through a chance discussion between her mom and Carolyn Odio, Heidi got introduced to others with hearing loss and to HLAA-WA. Like many of us, hearing loss had isolated her, but that changed. Heidi discovered (at age ~50!) she was an extrovert and enjoyed being around people now that she finally had properly programmed hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Heidi is passionate in sharing hearing information, technology, and strategies with others as they have completely changed her life.
Greg Bawden
Board Director
After working for many years as a firefighter, Greg is now the emergency manager for a regional fire agency. He and his wife Julie live near Duvall. In addition to lots of rural chores, Greg keeps busy bike riding, kayaking, hiking, skiing, and volunteering at a Boy Scout summer camp. Greg received a cochlear implant a month ago and is patiently waiting for everyone to stop talking like Donald Duck.
Pamela Williams
Board Director
Pamela Williams brings over 40 years of experience in eldercare, case management, client advocacy, and community resources. She currently serves as the Assistant State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Diagnosed with severe hearing loss in her right ear as a child and later experiencing significant loss in her left ear, Pamela uses hearing devices to enhance her quality of life. She is excited to join HLAA-WA and has used HLAA resources to educate local Ombuds in King County. Pamela believes it is essential that all individuals, including those in long-term care, be heard and not overlooked because of a hearing loss. She is honored to advocate for both the organization and the community.
Our Team
Diana Thompson
Agency & Legislative Liaison
A retired lawyer, Diana lends her expertise to HLAA-WA’s advocacy efforts. She’s also our award-winning liaison to many community groups where she ensures that the needs of people with hearing loss are well-represented, including the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative, the Seattle-King County Aging Advisory Council, and the Bellevue Network on Aging.
HOPE Crew
Virtual Support Meeting Leaders
Kimberly Parker, Devin Myers, Carolyn Odio, Glenda Philio, Jerry Paulukonis, Erlene VanDerMeer, Karen Utter, and Cheri Perazzoli are longtime hearing loss advocates who make our monthly HOPE meetings a friendly, compassionate, and helpful space for everyone.
Kimberly M. Parker
HOPE Leader, Hearing Loss Advocate
Kimberly M. Parker not only leads our flagship HOPE (Hearing Other People’s Experiences) program, she is also a longtime hearing loss advocate and educator. Her one-woman show, Lost in Sound, explores her hearing loss journey with her trademark compassion, humor, and warmth. Kimberly is a trained Gallaudet Peer Mentor.
JoAnne Dyer
Social Media, Website, and E-News Editor
JoAnne Dyer is a freelance editor and writer. A sixth-generation Seattleite, tragic Seattle Mariners fan, and avid hiker, she works for people who are changing the world.
Julie Johnson
Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager
Julie is an experienced program manager and social worker. She comes to us with experience with the Alzheimer’s Association, United Healthcare, and the Area Agency on Aging. She lives in Bellingham and enjoys walking her dog, Lucy, and enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Becky Montgomery
Former Board Member
Writer
Becky has been profoundly hard-of-hearing for almost 30 years, losing her hearing suddenly because of an autoimmune disease. She was drawn to HLAA because she wanted to meet people, and she’s impressed by HLAA-WA members’ friendliness and good-natured activism.
In the past, she worked at Microsoft, where she worked with their Employee Resource Group for Disability, and she helped to make programs like Word more accessible for people who can’t see.
In addition to the above leaders, we’d like to thank the CART providers who have provided HLAA-WA with outstanding live captioning services at no fee or for a small stipend. We love our captioners, who make sure we can participate and communicate!