2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
Award Winners 2025
Leah Williamson
Leah Williamson has been a transformative leader and advocate in improving services for children and families affected by hearing loss in Tennessee. As the proud mother of Malcolm, who was born with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and uses both American Sign Language (ASL) and a cochlear implant, Leah brings invaluable lived experience to her work. As a parent of four, she has personally navigated Tennessee’s early intervention system, gaining firsthand insight into its challenges and opportunities.
Malcolm’s hearing loss was identified at three years old at the U.S. Naval Hospital Bangor during Leah’s service in the U.S. Navy. While the family was immediately connected to resources, they lacked connection to other families who shared similar experiences. This gap inspired Leah to become a role model and tireless advocate for other parents, using her journey to support and empower families of children with hearing loss.
Leah's impact has been most evident through her leadership in the PEARS (Parents * Empowerment * Access * Resources * Support) program, Tennessee’s statewide parent-to-parent support initiative for families with newly identified hearing loss. Since joining as a parent guide in 2015, Leah has provided direct, compassionate support to families, sharing educational resources and offering peer mentorship. In 2023, Leah was promoted to the role of statewide program coordinator, where she now oversees the program, facilitates parent support, and collaborates closely with the Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) team. Her work includes partnering with local children’s hospitals to meet with new parents immediately following a diagnosis, ensuring that no family feels alone during such a critical time.
Leah’s influence extends far beyond PEARS. She serves on numerous advisory boards, including the Memphis Sound Project Advisory Board, University of Memphis Audiology Advisory Board, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Community Advisory Council, Memphis Deaf Community of the Mid-South Community Advisor Board, Deaf Literacy Initiative, Shared Reading Project with 0–5 Outreach, and the Tennessee EHDI Needs Assessment Project (TNNAP). These roles highlight her ability to drive meaningful change at both the community and systemic levels.
Her colleagues at the Tennessee EHDI program speak highly of her work and dedication. As noted by one team member, "I have been extremely impressed with Leah’s expansive knowledge of PEARS and the resources available to children and families impacted by hearing challenges. She is a fantastic presenter who captures her audience and engages them as she speaks about the work at PEARS. Leah has been an integral member of the TN EHDI program, sharing ideas for improvement projects and providing professional guidance. She is never short of ideas for engagement, resource information, or passion for helping a family impacted by a new (or existing) diagnosis."
Leah’s commitment to improving the lives of children and families with hearing loss is unparalleled. Over her time with PEARS, she has positively impacted hundreds of families across Tennessee, serving as a beacon of hope and support. Leah’s leadership, creativity, and compassion consistently inspire those around her, often working quietly behind the scenes to ensure families receive the care and resources they need.
We are immensely proud to work alongside Leah Williamson and witness the transformative impact of her efforts. She embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader, advocate, and role model, and she is highly deserving of recognition for her outstanding contributions to children with hearing loss and their families.