Rayne Depukat, NIC, RI (they/them)
Rayne Depukat, NIC, RI (they/them) is an autistic, multiply neurodivergent and disabled ASL/English interpreter, trainer, and consultant with over 15 years of experience. A current LEND Fellow at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center and MPA candidate at Suffolk University, Rayne specializes in mental health, disability, and neurodivergent spaces. They develop and present trainings on neurodiversity and disability, with a research focus on late-diagnosed autistic Deaf adults. Rayne lives in Rhode Island with their family in a disability-affirming household.
Atlas Mirrione (they/them)
Atlas Mirrione (they/them) is a Black, trans nonbinary interpreter that works within the Western Massachusetts and Boston areas. They are a state-screened interpreter and hold the National Interpreter Certification, or NIC. Atlas serves on the board for NOVIN, an organization that supports the personal and professional growth of novice interpreters as they transition into practicing professionals. Atlas is passionate about collective liberation, disability justice, and making the interpreting field more accessible for marginalized interpreters.
Laura Peters (she/hers)
Laura Peters is a Massachusetts-certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Certified Peer Specialist with extensive experience supporting individuals in recovery. Drawing from her lived experience as a woman in dual recovery, she offers compassionate guidance to those navigating addiction and mental health challenges. Laura is a strong advocate for trauma-informed, accessible, and inclusive recovery communities. She uses simultaneous communication (Sim-Com)—blending spoken English and ASL—to reach diverse audiences and is committed to improving interpreter access and training. Her work is grounded in equity, lived experience, and a passion for building more inclusive systems of care.
Me'Lisa Winston (she/hers)
Me’Lisa Winston (she/her) is hard of hearing, having lost her hearing at age 2 due to meningitis. Raised in a hearing family and initially mainstreamed in school, she later attended the Texas School for the Deaf, where she connected with the Deaf community. A passionate advocate, Me’Lisa draws on her lived experience with discrimination to support other deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. She holds an Associate of Arts degree and is considering a future in education to further her advocacy work. Based in Texas, Me’Lisa lives with her hearing husband and three children in a home that blends spoken English with sign language.