Board of Directors
2023 |
| MRID PresidentMichelle Remer, NIC, Ed: K-12Michelle (she/her) is an Interpreter Coordinator with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Moorhead, MN. She received her B.S. from U of M: Morris and attended the ITP program at St. Paul College. Michelle previously worked as an Educational Interpreter and also served on MRID’s Board of Directors as the Northern Representative. When Michelle isn’t working or volunteering for MRID she enjoys spending time with her dogs, playing softball, and is working towards visiting every State Park in MN. |
| Operations DirectorLauren Hudson, NICLauren Hudson is a freelance interpreter living and working in the Twin Cities. She received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois and a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Southern Maine. During her ITP, she served as the Student Rep on the MeRID Board. Since moving here in 2019, Lauren has been enjoying getting to know the Deaf and interpreting communities, and exploring all Minnesota has to offer. When she’s not working you can find Lauren cozying up at home with her husband, Matt, and two cats, Jax and Smudge. Lauren (she/her) is a freelance interpreter living and working in the Twin Cities. She received a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois and a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Southern Maine. During her ITP, she served as the Student Rep on the MeRID Board. Since moving here in 2019, Lauren has been enjoying getting to know the Deaf and interpreting communities, and exploring all Minnesota has to offer. When she’s not working you can find Lauren cozying up at home with her husband, Matt, and two cats, Jax and Smudge. |
| Communications DirectorGilda Houck-Markovits, EIPAGilda (she/her) received a Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education from Evergreen State College. She later graduated from Saint Paul College with an Associate of Applied Science in Interpreting and Transliterating. She has interpreted in education, community, theater, and video relay. Gilda has volunteered throughout the community, and in addition to being a Sign Language Interpreter, she is also a DeafBlind Intervener. Gilda enjoys spending time with her daughter, Lucia, who is a junior in high school and a talented dancer, and her son, Frank, who is a senior in college studying Computer Science. Gilda also loves her dogs, crocheting, photography & digital art, and live music. |
| Programs DirectorKrista Anderson, NICKrista (she/her) graduated from Augustana University with a Bachelor's Degree in Sign Language Interpreting. Her involvement with MRID includes volunteering as a Conference Support Staff (CSS) in the 2014 MRID Conference in Rochester, the 2015 MRID Conference in St. Paul, and the 2018 RID Region III Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has also served as the 2020-2022 MRID Communications Director. Krista has a passion for supporting non-certified interpreters; she provides workshops and trainings focused on preparation for the CASLI Exams. Krista enjoys working out, traveling, trying new things, and spending time with her friends and family. |
| Finance DirectorLaura SkyQuest, CDI Laura (they/them) is currently a Deaf Interpreter and works as an ASL Specialist at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. They earned their Masters in Deaf Education and enjoys working with the students at the school as a teacher, coach, and International Travel Sponsor. Laura also enjoys working in the community as an interpreter and activist. Laura joined MRID's recent interpreter licensure committee and is now excited to serve on the Board as the new Finance Director. When they are not working, you can find them playing sports, reading books, traveling to new places, cuddling with their furbabies, or hanging with friends. |
| Community Relations DirectorMaria Rodriguez-Dively, NICMaria (she/ella) is a Trilingual Interpreter from Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico. She is a 2009 graduate of North Central University with a BA in Deaf Culture. She has been an NIC Certified Interpreter for over 10 years. She has worked in states like Minnesota and California, and has had the privilege to also work Internationally. Maria is a generalist when it comes to interpreting but leans her focus in areas like theater, music, government, and politics. She has traveled internationally for her trilingual work and is also currently the Region III Presentative for Mano a Mano. When not working Maria enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has a partner of 17 years and three amazing children ranging in ages from 7-14. Maria always loves color and she expresses that with her wide array of glasses and shoes. |
 | Member DirectorEmilee LinahonEmilee (she/her) graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID) with a B.S. in American Sign Language-English Interpretation. She worked as a freelance interpreter in the Rochester (NY) community, then as a staff interpreter at RIT, followed by a move to San Diego, CA where she interpreted for the San Diego Community College District. Inspired by the tech classes she was interpreting, Emilee learned a few coding languages and started working as an email & web developer. She volunteered as an interim Webmaster for the San Diego County RID chapter in 2018. Originally from Iowa, she found herself homesick for the Midwest, and shortly before the pandemic, she and her husband moved to Minnesota. Emilee enjoys taking her dogs for walks, traveling, puzzling, reading, and playing all the cozy video games. |