Southeast B
HKNC Regional Network
Kentucky, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee
Contact Info:
P.O. Box 380
Concord, GA 30206
Office: 516-393-7700
Marilyn Trader (Regional Services Coordinator)
Voice/VP: 919-585-5428
Mobile: 516-417-0038
mtrader@helenkeller.org
Janice Hanvey (Administrative Assistant)
Phone: 516-393-7733
Fax: 516-393-7597
Mobile: 516-350-1026
jhanvey@helenkeller.org
Regional Services Coordinator Marilyn Trader
Our regional offices bring HKNC resources to you.
Your regional representative knows all about the programs and services that are available to DeafBlind individuals, their families and service providers in your state and beyond, and can help you find and access the ones that are right for you.
Whether you’re interested in learning about support services near your home, would like to take advantage of the technology available through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program or want to explore the possibility of training at our national headquarters, your regional representative is your link to all that HKNC has to offer ─ consultation, advocacy, assessment, training, referrals and more.
Meet the representatives and specialists in your region.
Marilyn Trader
Regional Services Coordinator
Marilyn Trader is the Regional Services Coordinator covering Kentucky, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee. Her experience related to this field includes acting as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for DeafBlind consumers under the Division of Services for the Blind in North Carolina and a Mental Health Social Worker for the Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind in North Carolina for 10 years under Wake County Mental Health Services. Prior to moving to North Carolina, she worked at Gallaudet University in the Graduate School Office, and as a lobbyist in Washington DC with guidance from staff at the university and across the country, presenting at universities all over the United States on cultural diversity inclusion programs.
Marilyn attended Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a concentration in Political Science. She attended Gallaudet University with a master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on the DeafBlind Community.
A goal of Region 4B is to continue to build capacity in each state through interagency collaboration, joint projects, events and new programs that consumers can obtain within their home state. Programs range from Support Service Providers to the expansion of field services to enable consumers to reach their goals.
Jayna Walker
DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Jayna Walker is a DeafBlind Employment Specialist serving the state of Kentucky. She is hard of hearing and has had the unique opportunity to navigate both the hearing and Deaf worlds throughout her education. During her elementary years, she naturally began to learn American Sign Language, but her desire to study it academically grew after building relationships with Deaf friends and Interpreters. In December 2024, she earned a bachelor’s degree with a focus in ASL and Deaf Studies from the University of Louisville.
While in college, she volunteered at the Deaf Youth Sports Festival, which has historically taken place in Danville, KY. This marks the moment when she first interacted with a DeafBlind individual using tactile ASL. Her experiences in this short amount of time sparked a new desire to work with individuals who are DeafBlind and with multiple disabilities.
Prior to joining HKNC, she worked as a Guest Relations Coordinator at Crossings Ministries where she had the opportunity to interact with many individuals with varying backgrounds and excel in administrative duties. She then went to work at her home church where she got the opportunity to meet individual needs within the local community.
“As a hard of hearing individual, I had to learn self-advocacy from a young age, and I would like to encourage others to develop that for themselves. I am here to help DeafBlind individuals and others with multiple disabilities move towards their goals.” Her hobbies include playing piano, hiking, and quality time with friends and family.
Stephanie Poppell
Tennessee DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Stephanie Poppell is HKNC’s new DeafBlind Employment Specialist in the South Eastern Region, Tennessee. Stephanie was raised in Florida and, while living in Orlando, worked for Disney World. After Orlando, she served a full-time mission for her church where she fell in love with ASL and the Deaf community in and around Portland, Oregon. After completing a mission, Stephanie attended Utah Valley University where she studied ASL and Deaf Studies. She graduated in December 2022. Some of her passions include hiking, swimming, and teaching Miles (her Border Collie who she adopted in 2019) new tricks. Stephanie’s dog keeps her active as her hiking and swimming buddy.
Robin Roggenkamp
Kentucky DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Robin Roggenkamp is a dedicated DeafBlind Employment Specialist in the Southeastern Region; Kentucky. She comes to HKNC with a robust background in art, client-centered roles and as vocational evaluator / career assessment coach with Goodwill Industries, where she worked with individuals of varying disabilities. Robin is a compassionate advocate for inclusivity in the workforce.
Drawing from her own professional and personal journey with hearing loss, Robin brings a unique perspective to her role, tailoring strategies to accommodate individual needs, recognizing that each person possesses untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Robin is committed to promoting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through active community engagements to foster environments of understanding and acceptance. With her unwavering passion, artistic vision and client-centric approach, she strives to create a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities and act as a beacon of inspiration. Robin is also an avid outdoor enthusiast, gardener, epicurean and adores animals.
Local & Community Services
Are you interested in getting involved in the DeafBlind community in the Southeast B Region? Your regional representative can provide information about social gatherings, conferences, listservs and more. Check this space for announcements about upcoming events or contact your regional representative to request email notifications.
Ask your regional representative about:
- The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
- Local services and referrals
- On-site assessment, consultation, and training
- Making connections with other individuals and families within the DeafBlind community
- Technical assistance and in-service training
- Plans for youth transitioning from educational programs to post-educational services
- Educational materials and presentations about the capabilities and preferences of people with combined vision and hearing loss