Chris Soukup
Chris Soukup is a senior leader and advocate for deaf and disability communities. After graduating from Gallaudet University in 2001, he started working at Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), the world's largest deaf-led social impact organization, in a community-based role. In 2014, he was appointed CEO of CSD. In the past decade, he has led CSD’s global transformation to become a fully virtualized organization; the development of a disruptive software platform for sign language interpreting service delivery; the creation of the first social venture fund dedicated to deaf and disabled entrepreneurs; the launch of a jobs marketplace for deaf and disabled professionals seeking contract work and full time employment opportunities; implementing online learning spaces for children and adults to access educational and training content in ASL; a continuum of innovative direct video communication solutions designed to bolster the relationship between government and corporate entities and their deaf and disabled customers. Mr. Soukup and CSD are seeking to deploy a new health care-focused initiative that will be introduced nationally this year. Mr. Soukup has played a role in the advocacy of legislation and accessibility during crucial cultural events including a COVID-19 hotline in American Sign Language and ensuring interpreters and captioning at White House briefings. He has served on committees and advisory boards addressing barriers faced by deaf and disabled communities.
