Colorado RID Board Members
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Meet Kayleigh Algard, Our President
Kayleigh's journey into the Deaf community began in 2000 when she met her mom's friend and her Deaf daughter. That friendship sparked a curiosity about American Sign Language and Deaf culture that stayed with her over the years. In high school, she enrolled in her first ASL class and quickly realized she had found something she truly loved.
Although Kayleigh initially pursued a different career path, earning a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University in 2015, her passion for ASL and the Deaf community never faded. After several years working in the HVAC industry, she found herself continually drawn back to interpreting and decided it was time to pursue the career she had always envisioned. She returned to school, earning an Associate of Arts in ASL & Deaf Studies from Front Range Community College in 2023 and an Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Preparation Program from Pikes Peak State College in 2025. She is a CDE-authorized Educational Interpreter and earned a 3.5 on the EIPA in 2025.
When she's not interpreting or working on CRID projects, Kayleigh enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, and cheering on the Denver Broncos. During football season, you'll almost always find her rooting for the Orange and Blue.
Fun Fact: Kayleigh is always up for an adventure, whether that's exploring Colorado, spending a weekend at the lake, or seeing who can catch the biggest fish.
If you see her at a CRID event, don't hesitate to stop and say hello—she loves meeting members!
Meet Audrey McCann, Our Vice President
Audrey McCann has been a certified interpreter for 24 years and has held the BEI Master and NIC Advanced certifications for nearly 20 years.
A heritage signer raised in a Deaf family in Austin, Texas, Audrey relocated to the Denver area with her husband and is grateful to now call Colorado home.
Audrey is passionate about mentoring emerging interpreters and supporting their professional growth through practical guidance, ethical discussion, and reflective practice.
She is committed to advancing access for the Deaf community, strengthening the interpreting profession through service, and encouraging interpreters to give back through meaningful pro bono work when appropriate.
Meet Pauline Ballentine, Our Treasurer
Hello. My name is Pauline. Currently, I live in Evans, Colorado. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I attended mainstream school when I grew up. I came from a Deaf family, and I am second-generation Deaf. I have been married for 30 years now and my three adult children are Deaf and third-generation Deaf. The oldest is a boy, 27 years old, the second one is a girl, 24 years old, and lastly, the third one is a boy, 19 years old. Currently, my last child is living at home with me.
I have been taught Interpreting Training Programs for many years. At the same time, I do contract work related to do the presentations and assessments including language and interpretation.
Earlier I explained who my family is, I just finished my Ed.D. program under the Deaf Studies track. My dissertation was on Deaf interpreters and their barriers navigating the system and why they have the resilience to overcome those barriers. It was interesting research for me.
As for the fun part of my life, well, I finished my Ed.D. program last May so most of my time focused on it. Right now, I am coming out and looking around and breathing. I am
figuring out my new norms, and what my new life after Ed.D. looks like. I am not sure what it is now. I do enjoy reading, researching, and teaching. Around here for fun we go hiking, swim in my swimming pool, take care of eight chickens for eggs- it is a hobby, plus take care of two cats. It is great to meet you all!
Meet Emma Fitzhugh, Our Secretary
Emma (she/her) has been interpreting since fall 2020. Prior to that, she learned ASL from a Deaf high school teacher in San Antonio, Texas, then continued her education at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation (BAI) degree with a minor in psychology. Additionally, she was an intern at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center prior to Covid.
Upon moving to Colorado in fall 2020, Emma began working as a staff K-12 interpreter, during which time she obtained her EIPA and RID NIC. She then transitioned into full-time freelance interpreting and absolutely loves it!
She has been involved with the CORE mentoring program since 2023, but worked with one mentee prior to joining CORE. When she isn't interpreting she enjoys spending time with her adorable pup, Prince (yes, like the singer), reading, being outdoors, or spending time with her family in Colorado Springs.
Meet Carmela Roybal, Our Deaf Member at Large
Carmela Roybal is the Deaf Member At Large for the CRID Board. Carmela has been working as a Deaf interpreter since 2011 and obtained certification in 2016.
In addition to interpreting, Carmela works as an ASL instructor and IPP mentor at a local college, and also collaborates with families who have Deaf children.
Outside of her professional commitments, Carmela enjoys watching plays and traveling with her daughter.
Meet Liz Chittenden, Our Member at Large
With over 25 years of experience in the interpreting field, Liz Chittenden brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as Vice President of the Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching American Sign Language from Columbia University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Interpreting from California State University, Northridge, and an Associate of Arts degree with an Interpreting Preparation Program certificate from Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California.
After establishing her career on both coasts, Liz found her home in Colorado, where she resides with her husband, a native Coloradan. Currently, she works as a freelance and virtual interpreter, specializing in medical, theater, business operations, and faith-based settings. Liz is passionate about enhancing access to interpreting services and strives to elevate the quality of communication for all participants. She actively mentors interpreting students and recent graduates, as well as supports working interpreters in their professional development.
Throughout her career, Liz has also contributed to the academic community by partnering with the American Sign Language program at PS47 in New York City and in various roles at Pikes Peak State College interpreting program in Colorado. Her perspective on interpreting has been profoundly shaped by her marriage to her Deaf husband, which has deepened her understanding of the nuances and importance of effective communication access and professional ethics.
In her personal time, Liz enjoys spending quality moments with her immediate and extended family and beloved dog, cultivating her aeroponic garden, and exploring local markets, particularly Trader Joe’s, to gather ingredients for her next culinary adventure.
Meet Randy Thuesen, Our Member at Large
Randy brings a wealth of experience shaped by decades of connection with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Blind communities—a journey that began in his Texas childhood and has guided his career ever since.
As the coordinator of the ASLEI program and Senior Lecturer at the University of Northern Colorado, Randy is known for his engaging teaching style, his commitment to creative and transformative interpreter education, and his passion for helping interpreters grow with purpose.
He also enjoys engaging students in meaningful and innovative ways, as well as mentoring students and interpreters.