Raymonda Yeh

I was born in Kiev, Ukraine and my family moved to Brooklyn, New York when I was 6. We moved to America to pursue opportunities for a better life with only $1,500 to begin our life anew. I am fifth generation member of a deaf family. I started school in the United States at the age of 8, knowing no English. My experiences during those formative years taught me to be strong and independent, determined to aim high all of my life. A motivating remark from my parents, “we brought you here to give you the opportunity to achieve your own path”, provided me the tenacity to carry through my life journey.

Math had always been my favorite subject, landing me the current position of a Senior Accountant. I had started pursuing fashion and interior design after graduating from high school. My parents convinced me to attend to Gallaudet University, the world’s only university for deaf, to play volleyball and immerse myself in the deaf community while getting an education. I decided to give it a try and took an accounting class because my mother is an accountant. Immediately I knew that I wanted to pursue a bachelor of science in accounting. At the time I thought that I would start up a fashion design business with an accounting background, however over the years fashion / interior design has become a hobby. While at college I had several internship experiences, including NASA, and knew that I love working in the financial field. Before I knew it, ten years had flown by at NASA. I have been member of several teams recognized by both Robert H. Goddard and agency-level honor awards, including the Center-Wide Closeout/ULO team, the NSSC Transition team, and the OCFO Reimbursable Closeout team. I was also nominated by my peers for the “Energizer Bunny” award as part of the Code 150 Peer Awards process at Goddard. I am extremely grateful for my wonderful co-workers as we work together achieving NASA’s mission.

Outside of the office, I am very passionate about being active, as well as being actively involved in the deaf community. In the past I played volleyball, coached junior-varsity volleyball at a nearby high school, assumed the anchor role for Bison TV (Gallaudet University media), served as a sorority officer (Phi Kappa Zeta), and was the chairperson for our senior trip to Punta Cana. As a former Miss Deaf New Jersey, over the two years term, I focused on bridging the deaf and hearing communities through the use of technology. I also served as one of the three judges for the Mr. & Miss Maryland School for the Deaf in 2007, chaperone for Miss Deaf District of Columbia (2005), mistress of ceremonies for Mr. & Miss. Model Secondary School for the Deaf (1998), Mr. & Miss. Deaf Teen America (1999), and Miss District of Columbia (2006). I was the contestant coordinator for Miss Deaf International (2010). I find it very rewarding to inspire young deaf ladies to reach their goals and hope to continue doing this.

Most recently, in 2013 I went to Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria as a member of the United States cyclist team. This experience was a huge personal achievement, and my mantra throughout the entire trip was “cycling goals are attained not by strength but by perseverance.” Although I love outdoor activities and international traveling, the most precious time is spent with my husband and three beautiful children; ages 6, 3 and 18 months.

If I could pass on one lesson to the next generation it would be this – we don’t grow when things are easy; we grow when we face challenges. All the same, remember that a day without laughter is a day wasted!