Board Of Commissioners

David Alves, Chairperson (Deaf)

BIO: David Alves is the chairperson of the Board of Commissioners for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He currently teaches American Sign Language, Deaf Studies, and Deaf History at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the World Language Department at the Community College of Rhode Island. David earned his bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies with a minor in ASL from Gallaudet University and his master’s degree in Deaf Education from Boston University.

Since 2015, David has been actively involved in advocacy and policy work, including helping create a statewide policy with Disability Rights Rhode Island, collaborating with RICDHH on interpreter hiring practices, and working with the ACLU to advance equal access with police departments across the state. As Chairperson, he is committed to ensuring inclusivity for all communities, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, Deaf Disabled, late-deafened individuals, those who use spoken language but not ASL, and those new to hearing loss. For David, they are all in this together and all deserve equal access, equity, and representation.

Outside of his professional roles, David enjoys traveling, spending summers in Portugal, exploring other countries, and riding ATVs. He is known among students and colleagues for his calm, easygoing nature and dedication to mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Nathan Robinson, Vice Chairperson (Deaf)

BIO: Nathan Robinson currently serves in Case Management at the Department of Mental Health and is an active Volunteer Commissioner for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RICDHH).

He brings a strong background in mental health and Deaf interpreting, using his skills to support and advocate for accessible services within the community. Over the years, Nathan has built a diverse professional background—particularly in mental health, interpreting, and community outreach—contributing meaningfully to initiatives that promote inclusion and accessibility. 

His role with RICDHH underscores his dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Outside of work, Nathan enjoys basketball, walking, and hiking through different cities and towns. He also takes great pride in learning more about mental health and related fields, and in his most rewarding role—being a father to his son, spending high quality time with my son.  A fun fact: Nathan was voted “Class Clown” in the Class of 2008, a nod to his lively spirit and dynamic personality.

Elizabeth Beach, (Hard of Hearing)

BIO: Betsy has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Education from Brown University. She has taught adult education with an emphasis on mathematics teaching for the past fifteen years, working at: Dorcas Place, Career Tracks Youth, Westbay CAP, and the RI Indian Council. Betsy has also managed assessment, outreach, enrollment, and student services for these adult education programs.

Betsy was a member of the working group to write RI Adult Education Standards in Mathematics. She participated in the TIAN math research project and also designed the adult secondary to college math curriculum with the RI Adult Education Professional Development Center.

Betsy has presented and taught at the yearly RI Adult Education Conference and at the RI Women’s Institute for Leadership Development. In 1995 she was a representative to the UN NGO Conference on the Status of Women in Beijing, China.

Kimberly Marthers, (Hard of Hearing)

BIO: Kimberly Marthers is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the state of Massachusetts. Kimberly graduated from Fine Mortuary College in 2018 and is part of a Death Positive Movement. She is continually advocating for change in the funeral industry.



Kimberly is Hard of Hearing and utilizes hearing aids to function in the hearing world. She is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and communicates bilingually through ASL and English in her home. Kimberly grew up in Rhode Island and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. She was scouted for an all-girl rock band in Los Angeles, and lived in California for seven years. Kimberly noticed hearing loss in her late twenties, and moved back to Rhode Island to be with her family. She studied ASL at Perspectives, and fully immersed herself into the Deaf Community in Rhode Island.



Kimberly is passionate about her work in the Funeral Industry serving families from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and advocating for accessibility. She is a supported living companion, supporting a special needs individual in her home. Kimberly is a proud supporter of LGBTQ rights and lives in Cranston with her partner Nicole, their son Xavier, and their best-friend and roommate Juliann.

Olubunmi Osho, (Hearing)

 

BIO: Olubunmi Osho loves to volunteer and has volunteered in many places including the Amos House at Providence and the annual Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Awareness "Flames of Hope". Also, she has Worked and been around the deaf community for over 20 years.

BIO: Rainer was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Born to two deaf parents, he developed a deep appreciation for diverse forms of communication and the power of inclusivity.

Rainer graduated from The University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Political Science and from Roger Williams University School of Law with a Juris Doctor. 

Rainer is a Partner at Weber, Bednarz, Randell & Young, LLP, a law firm with a practice spanning Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, where he advocates for his clients with dedication and tenacity.

In addition to his legal practice, Rainer serves as Commissioner and Treasurer for the Rhode Island Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Outside the office, Rainer enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog.

BIO: Tony is a retired university professor and consultant in organizational learning and change management.  He is an MBA graduate of the University of Rhode Island and received his PhD from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Tony established and directed the Southeast New England support group for the Acoustic Neuroma Association.  Tony's hearing disability derives from an inherited condition – Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).  He welcomes opportunities to explain the distinction between NF1 and NF2.

BIO: Danielle is a Massachusetts native who has been living in Rhode Island for the past 12 years. She graduated from Boston College with a master’s in social worker and is a licensed clinician working with the Deaf community here in Rhode Island. She is a past president of the Rhode Island Association of the Deaf, past board member on the Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, and a past board member on the Board of Examiners for Interpreters for the Deaf. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Deba Pietsch is a Secondary English Teacher at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf. Originally from Washington State, she has extensive experience in Deaf education and community leadership, having served on and advised Jr. NAD chapters and been on the regional board for many years. Deba has held leadership roles at a regional Deaf center and taught ASL at the college level. She is committed to supporting and empowering Deaf youth and strengthening the Deaf community. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, collecting seashells, and photographing beaches and lighthouses.