2025 WSRID Board
"The Board members of WSRID are committed to action that will promote and ensure equity and inclusion of all diverse people, and we know this is not possible until we can ensure that racism has no presence in our organization. We strive to work in partnership with organizations and individuals who share these same priorities, and we welcome the participation of all members in this process." Equity Commitment Statement WSRID Officers:President Stephanie Mathis
Vice President — Position currently vacant
FYI: If you or someone you know is qualified and would like to serve their fellow interpreters and this organization, do not be shy. Please reach out to Anna or one of the other board members and let them know. You can find qualification requirements on the BYLAWS page. Current office term: JAN 2024 – DEC 2025 Secretary Franki Thornton
Treasurer — Currently Vacant
FYI: If you or someone you know is qualified and would like to serve their fellow interpreters and this organization, do not be shy. Please reach out to Anna or one of the other board members and let them know. You can find qualification requirements on the BYLAWS page. Current office term: JAN 2024 – DEC 2025 Deaf/DeafBlind Community Representative — Sandra Carr
At this time my passion is based on the dwindling rate of in-person interpreters for the Deaf. As an advocate, I have had to advocate for the Deaf at various times and in various situations to ensure that the Deaf have the best possible access to communication as they can get. I realize that time changes and the rising of other communication needs have put a serious lack in the “warm body-on site“ interpreter pool. If nothing else I would like to offer my support in the efforts of WSRID, WSAD, and WASCLA (in which I’m also a Board Member) to see what we, as a collective group, can do to remedy the shrinking population of Sign Language interpreters. Current office term: JAN 2024 – DEC 2025 Immediate Past President Anna Mansell Karagiannis
Current office term: JAN 2025 – DEC 2026
WSRID Directors:Director Shanta Corra
Director Rogan Shannon
Director Cat Ellis
Director Erin Griffin
Erin Griffin, NIC, born in California but raised in New Jersey made her way to WA State in 2004. Erin attended the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA were she began her journey with ASL and the Deaf community. Erin graduated with her BA in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies with a minor in Visual Arts and Butoh Dance in 2005. After graduation, Erin decided to move to Seattle to pursue interpreting. She did her Interpreter Training Program (ITP) at ASLIS, graduating in 2007. While in Seattle Erin was an active member of the Deaf and DeafBlind community both socially and as an interpreter. In 2009, Erin moved to Eastern WA where she currently resides on 10 acres with her three children, husband, four dogs, two cats and several chickens. Erin provides interpreting services both remotely and in-person and is happy to be available to serve a generally underserved population in rural Eastern WA. Erin loves being in nature, gardening, hanging with her family and dogs, hiking, backpacking, reading, and knitting & crocheting. Student Director Priscilla Davis
Priscilla is a second-year student in the Interpreter Training Program at Spokane Falls Community College, on track to graduate in June 2025. After completing her studies, she plans to work as a freelance interpreter and pursue national certification. As a proud CODA, Priscilla deeply values her connection to the Deaf community—both in Seattle, where she grew up, and in Spokane, where she now lives. Raised by a Deaf mother alongside Deaf aunts, uncles, and family friends, she understands the importance of community and meaningful relationships. Some of her fondest memories include camping at World Deaf Timberfest, traveling for Deaf softball and basketball tournaments, and bonding with friends while their parents gathered for organization meetings. Though she has been interpreting informally for years, Priscilla is excited to step into the profession with intention. She joined WSRID to expand her perspective, gain valuable insights, and build a strong foundation for her career. Being surrounded by experienced interpreters who dedicate their time, effort, and heart to the community has been inspiring. Outside of school, Priscilla enjoys spending time with her 16-year-old daughter and their cat, Hana. She loves exploring new restaurants, being at the library, baking, reading, and binge-watching new shows. Above all, she is thrilled to prepare for this next chapter in her career! |
Stephanie's bio, etc... I'm honored to accept the office of WSRID President and am excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with those who share a passion for elevating accessibility, inclusion, and equity in the Deaf, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled Communities. I believe that with all of your talents, knowledge, and experience, together we can build a stronger future! I look forward to getting to know all of you and working with you!
This area is reserved for our future vice president to share a little about their background and vision for WSRID. We look forward to welcoming them aboard as soon as possible!
I came to the field of interpreting through my relationships with Deaf/HH community in California, and found the Deaf community in Washington after my graduation from the interpreting program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). I was drawn to the region by its vibrant Deaf theatre and arts scene, and have been here ever since appreciating and supporting that work. After 13 years of working I am looking for a way to engage with my field more deeply. I hope that WSRID can be an opportunity for me to give back to the community and profession that have guided me through my young adult life. I come to this position primarily with curiosity and enthusiasm, and believe deeply that the greatest strength we have as a profession is our relationships with one another and our community. I would use this opportunity to better acquaint myself with the community I serve and with the hope of bringing new insight to the practice and presence of WSRID as an entity through relationship building and resource development. I believe that my own experiences and my desire to understand others' can be an asset to the organization. I want to know what our profession--in this place, at this time--needs most and am excited about working creatively to meet that need.
Since become totally Deaf in 1981, I have come to rely on sign language interpreters in different capacities. I have always been very grateful for the men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving the Deaf in this way. Although I am not totally reliant on sign language interpreters, I have taken advantage of every possible communication device/mode that a Deaf person like myself could possibly access, which includes a CI. I have, over the years, had experience with Certified and Non-Certified Interpreters (PSE as English is my first language) and have always respected the resource available to me.
Anna Mansell Karagiannis, NIC, is a freelance sign language interpreter based in Seattle. Originally from Wisconsin, she graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2007 (BFA). After returning to her ASL studies again in 2010, Anna was proud to graduate from ITP at Seattle Central Community College in 2013. Anna is grateful for the opportunity to support WSRID and her community in so many ways—through committee work from 2014–2017, as a Board Director from 2018–2020, Board President from 2020–2024, and now as Immediate Past President. Outside of work, Anna is busy raising her family, spending time with her friends, and always trying to remember to stop and smell the roses. She loves meeting new people and helping others build meaningful connections, believing that relationships are at the heart of a strong and vibrant community.
Shanta Corra, NIC, is a freelance interpreter living in Walla Walla. A Washington native, she graduated from SCCC’s ITP in 2001, and from the University of Washington with a degree in Spanish in 2003. Shanta spent time living abroad both in Spain and Ireland, but this is her first time living in the eastern part of Washington State, where she moved in 2020. Used to the relatively large number of resources and other interpreters she could access in the Seattle area, she is looking forward to developing more support and opportunities for connection for the interpreters in Eastern Washington as well as being able to relay needs, concerns and ideas to WSRID. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, contemporary dance and spending time with her family and friends.
As someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by interpreters (including my parents!) and now am one myself, I want to continue working with and uplifting the interpreting community. I’ve been part of many different boards and I joined the WSRID board as a director just over a year ago. I’ve enjoyed connecting with more interpreters in our community outside of who I regularly work with. I will be bringing my years of experience as a professional interpreter, my many years of using interpreters, and years of seeing behind the scenes growing up at the table. I’m excited to see what I can do for the Washington interpreter community! 
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