A Chronology of Organizational Transition
The appointment of Kiego serves as the culmination of a deliberate stabilization strategy initiated by the NAD Board of Directors. Following a period of organizational volatility that threatened the association’s core mission, the Board appointed Bobbie Beth Scoggins as Interim CEO. Scoggins, a veteran leader within the deaf community, was tasked with a mandate to bridge the gap between periods of executive flux and to secure the association’s infrastructure.
Throughout the past two years, Scoggins oversaw a restructuring of internal operations, focusing on fiscal accountability and the restoration of trust among the organization’s diverse membership base. Her tenure was characterized by a "back-to-basics" approach, emphasizing the importance of the NAD’s founding principles while preparing the organizational framework for a permanent successor. The search committee, which included board members, stakeholders, and community representatives, spent the early months of 2026 vetting candidates whose vision aligned with the organization’s long-term sustainability goals. The selection of Kiego signifies the Board’s desire to move from a phase of recovery to one of proactive growth and strategic evolution.
The Mandate for the Incoming CEO
In his first public remarks following the announcement, Kiego articulated a clear set of priorities that underscore the complex realities facing modern non-profit advocacy groups. His stated focus areas—rebuilding trust, achieving financial stability, expanding membership, and increasing revenue—reflect the standard challenges of large-scale civil rights federations.
Kiego’s emphasis on "rebuilding trust" suggests a recognition that the NAD must strengthen its relationship with its individual members and affiliated state organizations. Historically, the NAD has served as a federation of state associations, and its power lies in its grassroots reach. Recent shifts in the deaf community, including the rise of niche advocacy groups and digital-first organizations, have necessitated a re-evaluation of how the NAD connects with younger, tech-savvy generations. By prioritizing membership growth, Kiego is positioning the organization to compete in a crowded advocacy marketplace where visibility and digital engagement are paramount.
Financially, the organization faces the perennial challenge of balancing public-facing civil rights work with the operational costs of maintaining a national headquarters and a specialized staff. Strengthening the NAD’s revenue streams—likely through a combination of increased individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and enhanced grant-writing capabilities—will be essential to the ambitious strategic goals set for the coming decade.
The 58th Biennial Conference: A Strategic Catalyst
The 58th Biennial NAD Conference, scheduled to take place in San Francisco from June 30 to July 5, 2026, will serve as the formal introduction of Kiego to the broader membership. This event is more than a traditional meeting; it is a critical legislative and strategic assembly. During the conference, delegates from across the country will participate in goal-setting sessions that will dictate the organization’s policy priorities and legislative agenda for the next two years.
For the NAD, this conference represents a "pivotal moment," according to Board President Stephanie Hakulin. It is the primary venue where the organization’s democratic structure is most visible, as individual members and organizational affiliates debate and vote on the resolutions that shape the association’s stance on education, accessibility, and legal rights. The presence of the incoming CEO at this event is a tactical necessity, allowing Kiego to listen directly to the concerns of the community before officially assuming his duties in August.
Contextualizing the NAD’s Role in Civil Rights
Founded in 1880, the National Association of the Deaf has played a foundational role in the American civil rights movement. The organization’s history is inextricably linked to the fight for the recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) as a legitimate language and the push for federal mandates regarding communication access in schools, workplaces, and public venues.
Data regarding the demographics of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in the United States highlights the ongoing relevance of the NAD. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and various academic studies, millions of Americans identify as deaf or hard of hearing, and the prevalence of hearing loss is projected to rise as the population ages. Furthermore, the increasing integration of technology into daily life has created new barriers—such as the need for universal captioning, accessible telehealth, and digital interface design—that the NAD is uniquely positioned to address.
The organization’s ability to influence federal policy, particularly through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), remains its most potent tool. However, the influence of the NAD is often measured by its ability to act as a unified voice for a community that is as diverse as the country itself, encompassing varied linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Implications for the Future of Deaf Advocacy
The appointment of Kiego signals a transition toward a more integrated, data-driven approach to advocacy. As the organization pivots toward the next chapter, several key implications emerge for the broader disability rights movement:
- Strategic Focus on Financial Sustainability: The explicit mention of revenue growth suggests that the NAD will likely increase its focus on sustainable fundraising models. This could involve more robust donor engagement programs and a shift toward long-term endowment building.
- Emphasis on Grassroots Engagement: By framing the Biennial Conference as a "pivotal moment" for goal setting, the Board is signaling a commitment to the federation model. Ensuring that state affiliates feel empowered and heard will be critical to maintaining the unity of the association.
- Modernizing Advocacy: As the digital divide persists, the NAD’s role in influencing policy around emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence in automated captioning or the accessibility of remote work platforms—will likely become a larger share of its legislative advocacy.
- Generational Continuity: The transition from Scoggins to Kiego represents a transfer of institutional knowledge, ensuring that the lessons learned during the period of stabilization are not lost. This continuity is vital for maintaining the progress made in stabilizing the organization’s legal and administrative affairs.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Sentiment
The Board of Directors has been unified in its support for the search committee’s decision, with President Stephanie Hakulin noting the "heavy lifting" performed by the interim leadership as the foundation upon which future success will be built. The transparency of the search process—which included soliciting community feedback—was intended to build early buy-in for the new CEO.
From the perspective of the broader deaf community, the reaction to the announcement has been one of cautious optimism. Advocacy organizations are often subject to intense scrutiny, and the appointment of a new CEO is frequently viewed through the lens of institutional accountability. By publicly identifying the key challenges the organization faces—such as trust and financial health—Kiego has set a transparent tone for his administration. This openness is intended to mitigate the natural skepticism that often follows leadership changes in non-profit organizations.
Looking Ahead: The Road to August 1st
The period between the current announcement and the August 1st start date will be defined by the "handover" process. The collaboration between Scoggins, the Board, and Kiego is designed to ensure that the transition is seamless, preventing any lapse in the NAD’s ongoing advocacy efforts.
For members, the upcoming conference in San Francisco offers the first tangible opportunity to see how the new leadership intends to bridge the gap between the NAD’s storied history and the modern needs of the deaf community. With the Golden Gate Bridge serving as the backdrop for the 2026 conference—symbolizing connection and the bridging of disparate groups—the imagery aligns with the organization’s overarching goal of unity.
As the NAD approaches its 150th anniversary in the coming years, the role of the CEO will be to ensure that the organization remains not just a relic of the past, but a driving force for the future. The Board of Directors has positioned Kiego to inherit an organization that, while having faced its share of recent turbulence, is now on a trajectory toward renewed stability and renewed purpose. The success of this new era will ultimately be determined by the alignment between the new leadership’s vision and the collective will of the thousands of members who constitute the heart of the National Association of the Deaf.
