New England Center for the Deaf, Inc.
"Communicating a better future"
Our Board of Directors
We are pleased to introduce you to our Board of Directors. The board is comprised of individuals all of whom are strongly committed to the mission of NECD, Inc. and who understand the need for and importance of an agency like ours.
President/CEO and co-founder
Tracy Knight, LCSW: Preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers Tracy was born in Hawaii and spent many years living in the mid-West. She and her family moved to Connecticut from Olathe, Kansas so that her son could attend the Amercian School for the Deaf. Tracy has been involved with the Deaf communities in Missouri, Kansas and Connecticut for almost 20 years. She served on the Region 5 Council of Developmental Disabilities, the Southwest MO. Task force on Autism and is a former member of the Parent Advisory Committee at the American School for the Deaf. Tracy earned her Associates degree in Criminal Justice and went on to earn her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Saint Joseph (formerly St. Joseph College) and then her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in New York. She has subsequently earned her License as a Clinical Social Worker.
Chairman/COO and co-founder
Joseph Sisk, MA, LPC, NCC, SCSA, CCTP: Preferred pronouns: He/Him/His Joe was born and raised in Connecticut and graduated from the William H. Hall High School in West Hartford. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY and went on to pursue his Master of Arts degree in Psychology from The New School for Social Research in New York City. Joe moved back to Connecticut in 1991 and has worked in direct care in both mental health and substance abuse facilities. He earned his license as a Professional Counselor and he is also a Nationally Certified Counselor. Joe also holds a Specialty Certificate in Substance Abuse and he is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. He has 30 years of management experience in the human services field.
Director
Christopher Knight, Jr.: Preferred pronouns: He/Him/His Chris (Cj) grew up primarily in the mid-west, but as the son in a military family, Chris spent some time in Germany as a toddler. He lived mostly in Missouri specifically in Joplin and Carthage. Chris was educated in the mainstream public school system through elementary school after which time his family moved to Kansas where he attended the Kansas State School for the Deaf. He graduated from middle school at KSD. Chris's family then moved to CT where he attended the American School for the Deaf and graduated with his high school diploma. Since graduation he has obtained his veterinary assistant certificate from Tunxis Community College. Chris is fluent in American Sign Language.
Director
Ashley Melendez, a Latina woman with a hearing impairment, was born and raised in Connecticut. She graduated from Wethersfield High School in Wethersfield. Her passion for helping others and giving back to her community has been a driving force throughout her life, especially during challenging times in her young adult years.
As the only member of her family with a hearing impairment, Ashley understands firsthand the isolation that can arise when one lacks the proper support system. As a Latina woman, she also recognizes the challenges faced by individuals with hearing impairments in the workforce.
Her volunteerism demonstrates her commitment to supporting our community, particularly by providing translation services for those in need due to her fluency in American Sign Language.
Additionally, Ashley’s cultural volunteer work has allowed her to actively engage in community service throughout the Greater New Haven area in Connecticut, promoting and celebrating the Puerto Rican culture.
During her college years, she attended Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in upstate New York and Gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut, to pursue her career in psychology and business administration. Eager to complete her education, she continued her studies.