A Period of Transition and Renewal

The appointment of Kiego arrives at the conclusion of a two-year interim leadership period overseen by Bobbie Beth Scoggins. Following a period of organizational volatility and structural challenges, Scoggins was tasked with restoring the NAD’s operational stability. Her tenure is widely credited with providing the necessary “heavy lifting” required to stabilize the organization’s internal affairs, refine its administrative processes, and secure the foundation upon which the incoming CEO can now build.

The NAD Board of Directors, led by President Stephanie Hakulin, emphasized that the decision to appoint Kiego was the result of a rigorous, community-informed search process. The Search Committee engaged in extensive outreach, soliciting feedback from organizational affiliates and individual members to ensure the candidate’s vision aligned with the evolving needs of the deaf community. By integrating member input into the executive selection process, the Board sought to ensure that the incoming leadership would possess both the strategic acumen and the community trust required to navigate the current civil rights landscape.

Chronology of the Leadership Change

The search for a new CEO began in earnest following the internal assessment of the NAD’s long-term operational needs. The Board established a clear timeline to ensure that the transition would not disrupt ongoing advocacy initiatives or the planning of the organization’s flagship biennial event.

  • 2024–2025: The Board of Directors initiated a strategic review of organizational goals, identifying the need for a permanent CEO to replace interim leadership.
  • Early 2026: A formal Search Committee was convened, involving outreach to stakeholders and the collection of community feedback regarding the qualities required for the next executive.
  • Spring 2026: Candidate interviews were conducted, during which prospective leaders presented their strategic visions for the federation.
  • June 2026: Official announcement of Nicholas Kiego as the successor to Bobbie Beth Scoggins.
  • June 30–July 5, 2026: Introduction of Kiego to the broader membership at the 58th Biennial NAD Conference in San Francisco, California.
  • August 1, 2026: Official start date for Nicholas Kiego as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of the Deaf.

Strategic Priorities for the Incoming CEO

In his inaugural remarks following the announcement, Nicholas Kiego outlined a multi-faceted agenda aimed at revitalizing the organization. Kiego’s stated priorities reflect a focus on institutional integrity and sustainable growth. His primary goals include:

  1. Rebuilding Trust: Acknowledging the necessity of transparency, Kiego intends to foster a closer relationship between the national office and the diverse communities it represents.
  2. Financial Stabilization: Kiego noted the importance of diversifying revenue streams and ensuring that the organization’s fiscal practices support long-term sustainability.
  3. Membership and Revenue Growth: Expanding the reach of the NAD is a cornerstone of his strategy, with a focus on increasing individual membership numbers and enhancing the value proposition for organizational affiliates.
  4. Legacy and Mission Focus: Reaffirming the NAD’s historical significance, Kiego emphasized the need to remind the community of the organization’s foundational role in advocating for the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

These objectives are consistent with the broader challenges currently faced by non-profit advocacy organizations, which must balance traditional lobbying efforts with the demands of an increasingly digitized and diverse membership base.

The Role of the 58th Biennial Conference

The upcoming 58th Biennial NAD Conference, scheduled for late June and early July 2026 in San Francisco, represents more than a logistical hand-off; it is a critical platform for strategic goal setting. For the NAD, these conferences serve as the primary vehicle for member participation, where local affiliates and individual members vote on resolutions and set the organization’s policy agenda for the following two years.

The timing of Kiego’s introduction during this event is deliberate. By engaging with members in person, Kiego intends to solicit direct feedback, which he argues is essential for his leadership approach. The conference will feature forums dedicated to the federation’s future, providing a space for the membership to collaborate on the "new pathways" promised by the Board.

Broader Implications for the Deaf Community

The transition at the top of the NAD occurs against a backdrop of significant shifts in civil rights advocacy. The organization has historically been the primary voice for the deaf community in matters of federal legislation, including the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and access to quality education and telecommunications.

Analysts observe that the appointment of a new CEO often signals a pivot in how an organization allocates its resources. Given Kiego’s stated focus on fiscal stability and membership growth, it is likely that the NAD will prioritize digital outreach and decentralized advocacy, moving to engage a younger generation of deaf activists who utilize social media and online platforms to organize. Furthermore, the emphasis on "rebuilding trust" suggests that the organization is cognizant of the criticism leveled against established institutions that may appear disconnected from the grassroots struggles of the community.

Supporting Data and Organizational Impact

While the NAD has remained a central pillar of advocacy, it operates in an environment where funding for non-profits remains competitive. Maintaining a robust national office requires consistent revenue from grants, donations, and membership dues. According to industry standards for similar advocacy groups, an organization of the NAD’s size requires a high degree of donor retention and active affiliate participation to remain effective in Washington, D.C.

The transition process has been characterized by high levels of cooperation between the outgoing interim leadership and the Board. This continuity is vital, as it ensures that ongoing legal battles and legislative lobbying efforts—such as those concerning medical accessibility and educational standards—do not lose momentum during the transition. The fact that the Board has expressed "full confidence" in Kiego’s strategic vision serves as a stabilizing signal to donors and institutional partners who may have been concerned about the organization’s long-term trajectory.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for the NAD

The selection of Nicholas Kiego represents a calculated effort by the Board of Directors to transition from a period of recovery to one of proactive development. By acknowledging the heavy lifting performed by Bobbie Beth Scoggins, the Board has signaled a commitment to organizational continuity while simultaneously signaling a readiness for change.

As the NAD prepares for its biennial conference in San Francisco, the focus remains on the collective responsibility of its members to define the next two years. With Kiego officially taking the helm in August, the organization faces a pivotal juncture. The success of this new chapter will likely be measured by the organization’s ability to convert its historical legacy into modern advocacy tools that effectively meet the needs of a diverse, global, and digitally connected deaf population. For now, the organization stands on what President Hakulin described as "solid ground," prepared to embark on a new phase of its mission to advocate for the civil and human rights of the deaf and hard-of-hearing in the United States.