Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) announced that its Chief Marketing Officer, and longtime leader in the deaf community, Rosa Lee Timm is the new Division President for CSD’s Social Venture Fund. Timm first joined CSD in 2019 as the Chief Marketing Officer and has been an integral part of the organization’s senior leadership ever since.

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Removing barriers and creating accessible resources is key to creating space for Deaf entrepreneurs to succeed. Rosa Lee Timm, the new Division President of the CSD Social Venture Fund, plans to do just that.
Rosa Lee Timm

“As a Black deaf woman, I know that our community is not lacking in creativity, determination, resiliency, or vision – what we lack is access,” said Timm. “I am excited to get to work on breaking down barriers and increasing access to capital investment for deaf and hard-of-hearing business owners of all backgrounds.”

CSD’s Social Venture Fund (CSD SVF) is reportedly one of the first – and only – deaf-led venture capital funds in the world that specializes in supporting deaf entrepreneurs and businesses, according to the organization’s announcement. CSD said Investments go towards for-profit enterprises that are committed to positive and measurable social impact, such as creating jobs for deaf people and investing in deaf communities around the world. 

In her new capacity as Division President of CSD Social Venture Fund, Timm will:

  • Spearhead the implementation of CSD SVF’s partner development program, guiding the entrepreneurial journey of the deaf-owned businesses that receive investments from SVF. 
  • Serve as an executive mentor for new and existing SVF partners and facilitate their access to the continuum of resources within and throughout CSD. 
  • Curate spaces for CSD’s marketing leaders to collaborate, receive training, share resources, and align marketing strategies with the global mission, vision, and work of CSD. 
  • Continue to dually contribute to CSD as its Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for overseeing all things public relations, communications, marketing, and creative engagement.

According to CSD, Timm is a performance artist, recognized for her American Sign Language (ASL) music videos and work as a solo performer on The Rosa Lee Show. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and her master’s in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Western Oregon University. Before joining CSD, Timm served as the marketing director for Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency and held various roles in education, teaching at Ohlone College, California School for the Deaf – Fremont, and more. 

“Rosa Lee’s background as an entrepreneur, organization leader, and educator over the past 20 years are distinctive professional experiences that meld together beautifully to add tremendous value and depth to CSD SVF,” said CSD CEO Chris Soukup. “We look forward to wonderful momentum with SVF in the coming year with her leadership and guidance.”

Source: CSD

Image: CSD