The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the nation’s premier civil rights organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, has officially announced the appointment of Nicholas Kiego as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. The announcement, delivered by NAD Board President Stephanie Hakulin, marks the conclusion of an extensive search process to fill the organization’s highest leadership role. Kiego is set to assume his duties on August 1, 2026, following the conclusion of the 58th Biennial NAD Conference, which serves as a landmark event for the organization’s future strategic direction.
A Period of Transition and Organizational Stability
The appointment of Kiego follows a critical two-year period of stabilization for the NAD. In 2024, the organization sought to address internal challenges and restore operational consistency after a series of leadership transitions. Bobbie Beth Scoggins, who served as Interim CEO during this tenure, is credited by the Board of Directors with steering the organization through a period of turbulence.
Scoggins’ tenure focused on institutional "heavy lifting," characterized by fiscal restructuring, the revitalization of internal governance, and the re-establishment of trust among the organization’s vast network of affiliates. According to internal reports provided by the Board, Scoggins’ leadership successfully created a sustainable foundation that allows the incoming CEO to pivot from crisis management to long-term strategic growth. The transition process, which involves a comprehensive handover of administrative and mission-based priorities, is currently underway, with the Board emphasizing that the organization is now on its most solid financial and structural footing in recent history.
The Search Process and Governance Oversight
The selection of Nicholas Kiego was the result of a multi-stage search conducted by a dedicated Search Committee, which sought candidates capable of managing the complex interplay between advocacy, federal policy, and community engagement. The committee evaluated candidates based on their ability to articulate a clear vision for the organization’s mission: the preservation, protection, and promotion of the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States.
Community feedback played an instrumental role in the search process. The NAD Board of Directors utilized town halls and digital surveys to solicit input from members across the country, ensuring that the candidate profile reflected the priorities of the grassroots base. The Board’s ultimate decision to appoint Kiego rests on his demonstrated commitment to organizational transparency and his strategic plan to address the evolving needs of the deaf community in an increasingly digital and globalized society.
Strategic Priorities for the New CEO
During his initial remarks following the announcement, Kiego outlined a multi-faceted agenda designed to modernize the NAD’s operational and advocacy models. His stated priorities include:
- Rebuilding Organizational Trust: Engaging directly with members to address historical concerns and ensuring transparent communication between the Board and the community.
- Fiscal Sustainability: Diversifying revenue streams to move beyond traditional funding models, ensuring that the NAD remains financially resilient amidst economic fluctuations.
- Membership Growth: Implementing outreach initiatives to expand the organization’s reach, particularly among younger demographics and diverse populations within the deaf community.
- Legacy Preservation: Strengthening the NAD’s historical mission as the primary advocate for American Sign Language (ASL) and accessibility rights, while adapting to the technological demands of the 21st century.
Kiego’s emphasis on "rebuilding trust" is viewed by industry observers as a recognition of the need for the NAD to remain relevant in a landscape where deaf advocacy is increasingly fragmented across specialized non-profits and digital interest groups. By centralizing the organization’s value proposition, Kiego aims to reassert the NAD’s role as the definitive national voice for the deaf community.
The 58th Biennial NAD Conference: A Pivot Point
The upcoming 58th Biennial NAD Conference, scheduled for June 30 to July 5, 2026, in San Francisco, is being framed as the "kick-off" for the Kiego administration. The conference serves as the primary mechanism for democratic governance within the federation, where organizational affiliates and individual members participate in the biennial "Council of Representatives."
This year’s conference is particularly significant because it will involve the ratification of the organization’s strategic goals for the next several years. The Board of Directors has indicated that these goals will serve as the roadmap for Kiego’s first two years in office. By holding this event immediately prior to his official start date, the NAD intends to facilitate an immediate alignment between the incoming executive leadership and the collective vision of its membership.
Data and Impact: The State of the NAD
The National Association of the Deaf, founded in 1880, has historically operated as a federation of state associations and individual members. According to available organizational data, the NAD faces the challenge of representing a diverse population of approximately 11 to 13 million people in the U.S. who identify as deaf or hard of hearing.
The organization’s influence is most acutely felt in its legal advocacy—frequently participating in litigation before the Supreme Court and federal appellate courts regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—and its public policy work. With the rapid evolution of communication technologies, the NAD’s recent focus has shifted toward ensuring that video conferencing, artificial intelligence-based captioning, and emergency communication systems are accessible. Analysts note that Kiego’s success will depend on his ability to maintain this high-level legal advocacy while simultaneously managing the administrative complexities of a large, volunteer-driven national federation.
Organizational Implications and External Reactions
Industry experts and long-time stakeholders in the deaf community have reacted with cautious optimism to the transition. The appointment is seen as a signal that the Board of Directors is prioritizing continuity and stability over radical structural upheaval. By selecting a leader who has expressed a clear intent to focus on fiscal health and community engagement, the NAD is positioning itself to capitalize on the recent growth in disability awareness and rights advocacy.
"The challenge for the incoming CEO is to balance the legacy of the NAD with the new realities of the digital era," says an independent analyst familiar with non-profit leadership transitions. "Nicholas Kiego’s focus on membership growth and financial stability suggests he understands that the NAD must be more than just a legal advocacy group; it must be a hub for community identity and resources."
The Board of Directors, led by President Stephanie Hakulin, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing full support to Kiego. This includes a transition period that is expected to continue through the fall of 2026, ensuring that the relationships between the NAD and its federal partners—such as the Department of Education and the Federal Communications Commission—remain intact.
Looking Toward the Future
As the NAD prepares for the San Francisco conference, the tone among leadership is one of unified resolve. The transition from the interim leadership of Bobbie Beth Scoggins to the permanent leadership of Nicholas Kiego represents the completion of a challenging cycle and the beginning of a deliberate effort to redefine the organization’s impact.
For the membership, the message from the Board is clear: the organization is ready to move forward. Kiego has invited community members to approach him directly during the conference to share their stories and expectations, a gesture that aligns with his stated goal of fostering a more accessible and listening-based leadership style. As the NAD enters this new chapter, the integration of traditional advocacy with modernized, data-driven outreach will likely determine the organization’s success in protecting the rights of the deaf community for the remainder of the decade.
The 58th Biennial NAD Conference remains the focal point for this transition. With registration currently open, the organization expects a high turnout from its affiliates, signaling strong community interest in the forthcoming strategic vision. The event will not only serve as a platform for Kiego’s introduction but will also function as the final stage of the transition process, effectively launching the NAD into its next phase of service.
