Leadership Team

Karen Hopkins Executive Director

In addition to her role as the Executive Director of MECDHH/GBSD, Karen is the principal investigator of Maine’s federal HRSA grant. She brings over 30 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the deaf, special educator, early interventionist and educational administrator to MECDHH/GBSD. She serves on the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors; the Maine Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Board; Maine’s Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened; and is an ex officio board member of The Percival Baxter Foundation for Maine’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. She was a founding member of Maine’s Hands & Voices chapter. Karen is a Deaf adult who has lived experience as a person who is Deaf and as the parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing.

Susie Tiggs Director of Statewide Education and Family Services

Susie Tiggs, Ed.D.,  brings over 30 years of experience with serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, deafblind, deaf/disabled, twice exceptional, or use adaptive technology for communication. Susie is passionate about building the capacity of professionals and families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and she is able to apply that passion as a member of the board for the Council of Exceptional Children Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Susie has spent the past 12 years providing professional development and technical assistance to deaf educators in Texas.

Dean Flanigan Director of Operations

Lori Levesque Director of Human Resources

With Masters Degrees in both Special Education and Business Administration, as well as 30 years of combined experience, Lori has comprehensive knowledge in both education and business.  She started at MECDHH/GBSD as the Preschool Program Coordinator and was able to learn about the programming side of Deaf Education.  Once she moved over to the Business Office, she was able to use that programming knowledge to enhance many Human Resources and Payroll processes.  She has acquired proficient American Sign Language skills since joining MECDHH/GBSD and is thrilled to be able to communicate directly with staff who are Deaf.