Board of Directors

Tristan Kong,

President

He/Him

Tristan Kong became a board member in September 2020. He is an experienced realtor with over six years in the business; four years as a licensed realtor. Recently, in 2023, he established his new Real Estate team, “The Tristan Kong Group,” part of Keller Williams Real Estate Associates. Tristan aims to remove barriers by creating an inclusive environment for all buyers and sellers through the residential real estate process. He is a proud alumnus from ECDrury School of the Deaf in Milton. His diplomas include Photojournalism from Loyalist College and with high honours in Advertisement, Marketing & Communication from Sheridan College. 

Fun fact about Tristan: He used to participate in triathlons, and his favourite ice cream flavour is chocolate.

Rob LaLonde,

Past President

He/Him

Rob has 30 years of industry experience in manufacturing and telecom. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, and Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA), he has specialized in providing financial and process improvement services to all levels of management across multiple locations. Rob currently works for Paramount Pallet as the Director of Finance and IT, where he provides financial oversight and leadership across the country. 

Fun fact about Rob: Rob has been volunteering for nearly 20 years, with the last 12 with Durham Deaf Services. 

Ken Jackson,

Vice-President

He/Him

Ken Jackson is a retired maintenance worker after a long tenure in the plastics industry and Recreation & Culture. He is a long-time member of the Deaf Senior Citizens group and has spent five years with the board of directors. He currently sits as the Vice-president.

Angela Ryall,

Member at Large, Chair of Fundraising 

She/Her

Angela is a CODA (child of deaf adults) and has been immersed in the Deaf community her whole life. She has been a part of many DDS events and programs offered over the years (e.g., children’s parties and summer camp). Now, that she’s an adult, she’s here to volunteer her time to support DDS in continuing to serve the Deaf community here in Durham. Angela has her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics: Hearing Sciences from Brock University and completed her Master of Science in Audiology at the University of British Columbia. Since her return to Ontario, specifically the Durham Region, she has continued to volunteer with DDS and now sits on the Board of Directors since January 2023. As the Fundraising Chair, Angela is responsible for planning, organizing, and hosting various fundraising events with my committee member volunteers. These events gather funds which support all of the programs that DDS offers. Volunteers assist in creating fundraising events and hosting the events themselves.

Fun fact about Angela: She loves to hike and explore the wilderness! She also likes relaxing by the beach with a good book.

Kathryn Ranger,

Member at Large

She/Her

Kathryn is a Deaf individual who has overcome many obstacles and barriers throughout her life. During her childhood, growing up in a “hearing” family was not always easy, but her parents and siblings were always her biggest supporters and encouraged Kathryn to be the best she could be. Throughout her school years and adulthood, the Deaf community became Kathryn’s second home. When she married and after she had two children, she decided we would open our home to Deaf and hard of hearing children who needed a safe and loving place to live. She was honoured to be a Foster Mom for over 11 years. There was never a dull moment. Years later, Kathryn and her children moved to the Durham region. They are now grown and have children of their own. They are a very close family, and they encourage Kathryn to become more involved in the Deaf community. They supported her in joining the DDS Board, and she really enjoys her role here. Kathryn, along with her children and grandchildren, works and volunteers at the Ontario Camp of the Deaf every summer. It is a place that she loves. Kathryn’s mother taught her to be more involved, and Kathryn feels she is proud of what she has accomplished in life.

Fun fact about Kathryn: She has always loved anything that involves crafting. She enjoys sewing, quilting (especially with her friends where they chat and sew at the same time) and drawing. DDS has given Kathryn the opportunity to learn more about her hobbies and the skills to excel in them. She also enjoys reading, playing online games (she thinks she plays online more than her teenage grandson sometimes). Most of all, Kathryn loves spending time playing Bingo, Pass the Ace, Golf and Dingo with her friends at ODSC. They always have so much fun together.

Connie Russell,

Member at Large

She/Her

Connie Russell brings a wealth of experience in the field of Developmental Services to her role as a Director for the past 4 years and as a Manager for the over 20+ years at the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf (BRCCED). Connie held various leadership positions in the developmental services sector, where she successfully implemented programs and initiatives that improved the quality of life for individuals.

Connie is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment within the organization and worked closely with staff, clients and community partners. Connie has a passion for giving back to her community. In her free time, she served two terms as a board member for Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) and enjoys supporting local Deaf Clubs as a committee member over the years. Connie looks forward to upholding DDS Mission, Vision and Values and continuing to make a positive impact as a board member for Durham Deaf Services.

Fun fact about Connie: Connie is a fraternal twin and her immediate family as well as some of her extended family are Deaf.  Connie is an animal lover, especially her household pets (2 dogs and 2 cats currently!)

Anna Phung,

Member at Large

She/Her

Anna Phung was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Anna briefly lived in a small town in British Columbia for 6 years. Anna became profoundly deaf when 7 years old.

Anna currently works as a Compounding Pharmacy Technician for the Sterile Department.

Anna has had the pleasure of hosting events for the Deaf Community of Toronto for the past 5 years! Anna loves occasional events such as: Halloween, Valentines and St. Patrick’s Day. Anna is looking forward to creating more events and gatherings to form a better network to have everyone come together for Durham Deaf Services.

Fun fact about Anna: Anna loves experiencing new cultural flavours and food from all over the world. The best part for Anna is sharing these joys with their family and friends.