Chris Soukup began his career with Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) in 1996, serving as coordinator of an adult basic education program. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration from Gallaudet University, he returned to CSD to be part of the team that launched the first nationwide Video Relay Service (VRS) in 2002. In the years since, Chris has immersed himself in diverse and progressively responsible roles at CSD.

In 2014, Chris was appointed by the CSD Board of Directors to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer. Over 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; the implementation of online learning spaces for both children and adults to access educational and training content in American Sign Language; the introduction of a new community foundation dedicated to strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations serving deaf and disabled people; as well as a continuum of innovative direct video communication solutions designed to bolster the relationship between government and corporate entities and their deaf and disabled customers. Most recently, Chris and CSD are seeking to deploy a new health care-focused initiative that will be introduced nationally in phases.

Beyond his daily work at CSD, Chris has worked to further support the advancement of deaf and disabled communities through numerous keynote presentations, including two appearances at SXSW, publishing thought leadership articles, and frequent collaboration with national media. He has served and continues to serve on a number of boards, and he regularly mentors and works alongside government agencies, corporations, start-up companies and community-based organizations on deaf and disability topics. He resides in Austin, Texas, with his family.

“Communication Service for the Deaf has been partnering and collaborating with NTID for decades. Our respective missions are complementary and support the advancement of opportunities for deaf and disabled communities. In particular, CSD is proud to support endeavors that further educational experiences and access to employment for the communities we serve. Our close relationship with NTID culminated in the construction of the CSD Student Development Center at NTID—a facility that serves a multitude of student development opportunities and is an important space that supports the growth, inclusiveness, and sense of belonging for the entire campus community. We believe NTID is well positioned for continued success and are deeply committed to the college, its people, and the outcomes it aspires to achieve.”