A native Washingtonian and lifelong community advocate for deaf and hard of hearing people, Kaika is a seasoned executive and successful entrepreneur with over 15 years of nonprofit leadership. Kaika’s advocacy began at the age of 9 when his mother acquired a debilitating disease. Kaika immediately realized the many barriers society had established for people with disabilities. For AY 2000-2001, Kaika was elected Gallaudet University Student Body Government vice president. In the midst of reorienting after 9/11, the university faced two tragedies that captured the national spotlight. This experience gave Kaika experience in crisis management and media response. His administration was highly regarded for its proactive support of students, resulting in renewed positivity, a budget surplus, and transitional planning. Kaika received a degree in government with a minor in communication studies, and began working at CSD. He was selected to support the implementation of a new call center and oversee its marketing & sales teams.Relocating to Omaha, NE, Kaika taught sign language interpreting and deaf culture at University of Nebraska-Omaha, Metropolitan Community College, and Iowa Western Community College. In 2008, Aspen Camp for the Deaf recruited Kaika to become the director of operations while supporting the board in its executive director transition. He was responsible for managing facilities staff, hiring program staff, and complying with state rules and regulations.Kaika moved back home to D.C. in 2010 and formed a landscaping design company that serviced hundreds of homes. In 2015, he joined the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and was selected for a two-person task force that secured a grant for a new conservation and sustainable outreach program.In 2016, Kaika joined TDI, a leading advocacy organization for deaf and hard of hearing people. In 2019, he learned Aspen Camp was on the brink of permanent closure, spurring him to join the two-person board saddled with over $50,000 in debt and a $145,000 tax lien. Two years later, the camp was free and clear of all debt and resumed programming activities.In 2020, Kaika was promoted to TDI CEO. Under his leadership, over a hundred policy comments were filed with the Federal Communications Commission. TDI’s assets grew by 31%, liabilities decreased by 91%, and a $217,000 surplus gave TDI its best financial standing ever. Memberships also increased by 78% and its policy collaboration network expanded to over 30 national organizations.