Treasurer: Sandy Pascual (Tuscaloosa)

Sandy Pascual is a nationally certified (NIC) trilingual interpreter with 26 years of professional experience. She holds a Qualified Mental Health Interpreter–Supervisor (QMHI-S) certification and works as a mental health interpreter and regional coordinator with the Alabama Department of Mental Health’s Office of Deaf Services.

Growing up with her Deaf cousin, Sandy developed an early appreciation for ASL and Deaf culture, which led her to pursue a degree in ASL Interpreting at Miami Dade College. She began her career in Miami, Florida, and later moved to Portland, Oregon, where she expanded her work specializing in medical and behavioral health interpreting. She holds multiple medical interpreting certifications, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Albizu University.

Sandy has served in leadership roles with FRID, ORID, the Oregon Health Authority’s Council on Health Care Interpreters (OCHCI), and Mano a Mano. She is the co-founder and co-facilitator of Ñ-MHT, a quarterly training program for ASL-English-Spanish interpreters and students, and regularly presents at state, regional, and national conferences on mental health interpreting, medical interpreting, ethics, interpreter supervision, and multilingual interpreting.

In her free time, Sandy enjoys traveling, exploring museums, hiking, attending local festivals, and watching superhero movies. She especially values time with family and her three dogs.

Southeast Representative: Katie Godwin (Montgomery)

Katie Godwin serves as ALRID's Southeast Representative and is a graduate of Troy University's Interpreter Training Program. Her passion for the Deaf community and the interpreting profession began early in life through involvement in Deaf community events throughout the Montgomery area.

Katie previously served as Secretary and President of Troy University's ASL/ITP Club. From 2024–2026, she also served as ALRID's Student Representative, where she focused on increasing student engagement and strengthening connections between ALRID and interpreting students across Alabama.

Katie began working as a professional interpreter in 2025 and is passionate about supporting the Deaf community, promoting language access, and encouraging professional growth within the interpreting field. She enjoys supporting students, fostering community connections, and helping strengthen the future of the profession.

Outside of interpreting, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, Sam, and their son, Shepherd. She remains active in her church and local community and is honored to continue serving the interpreting profession through her role with ALRID.

Southwest Representative: Cathy Smith (Mobile)

Cathy Smith is a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) whose life has been deeply rooted in the Deaf community. As the daughter of two Deaf parents, American Sign Language (ASL) is her first language. Her mother began teaching her ASL when she was just nine months old, providing Cathy with a lifelong appreciation for Deaf culture, language, and the importance of effective communication.

In 2022, Cathy earned a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Troy University, with concentrations in Psychology, Sociology, and American Sign Language. Her academic background, combined with a lifetime of personal and professional experience, has equipped her with a unique perspective and a deep commitment to advocacy, accessibility, and inclusion.

For more than 23 years, Cathy has worked as a professional Sign Language Interpreter, dedicating her career to bridging communication gaps and ensuring equal access for Deaf individuals. She is passionate about empowering the Deaf community through advocacy, education, and meaningful community engagement.

Cathy also serves as an advocate for Le Mardi Gras of Royalty, a Deaf organization dedicated to celebrating Deaf culture, promoting inclusion, and supporting Deaf children through community events, educational initiatives, and charitable outreach. Through her leadership and service, she strives to create opportunities that strengthen and uplift the Deaf community.

As a breast cancer survivor, Cathy is grateful for every opportunity to serve and encourage others. Her journey has strengthened her faith, resilience, and determination to make a positive impact. She believes that life's challenges can become powerful testimonies of hope, perseverance, and purpose.

Whether interpreting, advocating, mentoring, or volunteering, Cathy is committed to using her knowledge, experience, and voice to inspire others. Her mission is to leave a lasting legacy of service, compassion, advocacy, and empowerment while making a meaningful difference in the lives of the Deaf community and beyond.

Central Region: LaVonia Gorsuch (Birmingham)

LaVonia Gorsuch hails from Birmingham, AL and has been providing professional interpreting services in the area since 2014 with experience spanning medical, post-secondary education, VRS (Video Relay Services), K-12, and federal emergency management settings. She is a heritage user of American Sign Language and a coda (Child of Deaf Adults), bringing a deep linguistic and cultural foundation to her work and also currently serves as the secretary of SECODA (Southeast Children of Deaf Adults).

In her role with ALRID, she is committed to fostering meaningful professional development opportunities that support fellow interpreters in their individual growth. With civil rights at the core of interpreting, she strives to help advance the profession in ways that center equity, access, and accountability.

North Region: Maretta Maple (Decatur)

Maretta Maple is a native of Alabama and has been in the field of interpreting since 1996, holding RID certification since 2005.  Maretta started her interpreting profession as an interpreter for Deaf Access and AIDB, later to take on a full-time position with Huntsville City and later Atlanta Public School Systems. She has worked as a freelance interpreter for various agencies throughout her career. Maretta participated in one of the first interpreter training programsAlabama established, which was piloted through the University of Alabama. She has been working for Sorenson Communications for 18 years and has had the wonderful privilege of attending serval of Sorenson’s' professional training courses which have been a great asset to her career. Maretta has a desire for the field of mental health and has taken 100 plus hours of training in mental health and is presently working on her Mental Health Q. 

Maretta has deaf family members which lead her desire to emerge into how to communicate successfully and respectfully with her family. A deep love for her family and people in general led to her furthering her knowledge and skills in making communication accessible to the hearing and deaf communities she serves. Maretta lived in Houston Texas for 13 years and while living in Houston, she acquired her Associate degree in Human Service with a focus on Substance Abuse and Counseling through Lone Star College, Houston Texas. Maretta has been married to her wonderful husband for the last 15 years and enjoys outdoor sports like fishing and camping with her husband. Maretta also loves fitness and holds her personal trainer certification with NFPT and her Group X certification with AFAA; Cycle Certificate with NASM. She also enjoys helping her customers cherish their special occasions by hosting organizational dinner parties and anniversary parties as an event coordinator, SpecialEvents2Remember2. 

Maretta looks forward to serving the Northern Region of Alabama in making available workshops that cater to the needs and growth of our interpreting peers.