Katie Young has a long-standing history of leadership, advocacy, and service within the Deaf community and the field of education. Her journey began at a young age when she served as a church camp leader and was actively involved in JrNAD and JrKAD from 1999 to 2003. During her early years at Rocky Mountain Middle School, she served as 7th Grade Vice President and 8th Grade Secretary for the Student Body Government, where she worked to raise awareness about the Deaf community and Deaf culture.

While attending the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD), Katie continued to embrace leadership roles, including serving as Junior Class President and Senior Class Secretary. She was an active member of the Prom Committee and the Yearbook staff, serving as Yearbook Editor from 2001 to 2003. She also competed in the Academic Bowl from 2000 to 2002 and served as Vice President of the Youth Leadership Camp in 2002.

Katie’s leadership extended well into adulthood. She served on the board of the Idaho State Department of Education from 2021 to 2024 and currently sits on the Board of Directors for ASL ACCESS (www.aslaccess.org). Professionally, she has worked as an ASL teacher (2023–2024) and currently serves as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (2024–2025), bringing over 15 years of experience in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Deaf Education.

Her community contributions include volunteering with Read with ASL and serving as a keynote speaker at both the College of Western Idaho and Boise State University. She has also assisted in drafting bylaws for several nonprofit organizations, demonstrating her dedication to strengthening governance and organizational effectiveness within the Deaf community.

In addition to her extensive background in education and advocacy, Katie has developed a strong connection to the trucking industry. She comes from a family of truckers, several of her aunts and uncles are professional drivers, and her fiancé is currently a truck driver. Through his experiences, she has gained a deeper understanding of the daily realities and challenges that drivers face. Accompanying him on the road has given her a firsthand perspective on the commitment, resilience, and sacrifices required in the profession, deepening her appreciation for both truck drivers and their families.

These experiences have sparked her interest in contributing to the trucking industry in a meaningful way. She is committed to increasing her knowledge of the field and advocating for Deaf drivers, particularly those navigating the complexities of obtaining or maintaining hearing waivers. Katie is passionate about ensuring Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have equal access and representation within the industry.

Currently, she is actively engaging with members of the trucking community, learning from their experiences, and supporting efforts that promote accessibility, inclusion, and equitable treatment. Katie looks forward to continuing this important work and collaborating with others who are equally committed to empowering Deaf drivers and advancing positive change across the industry.