Our ASL Interpreting Agency Directors & Staff | Meet the Team

Michael Rizzolo learned sign language from several Deaf neighbors and became an interpreter while attending college at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). After graduation, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf hired Michael as a manager of Interpreting Services. This endeavor has been his profession and vocation ever since, and he openly expresses his love for it. But, after 12 years of managing and teaching, Michael was ready to welcome a new challenge.

Michael started Interpretek over 25 years ago with the goal of improving the quality of interpreting services for all stakeholders. The company focused on upgrading the services experienced by their Deaf and hearing consumers, the professional interpreters, and the employees of the company.

“I am proud to say we have successfully accomplished all three of these objectives. We are very proud of what we have built and continue to accomplish together,” says Michael. “We called ourselves Interpretek because we could see the impact that technology was going to play in the delivery of access services. We could not have predicted just how significant that would be.”

With every passing year the impact continues to grow and now Interpretek provides services all over the country and sometimes around the world. Michael is fortunate to have created a wonderful team of true professionals. Each colleague is committed to service excellence and enjoys the creativity required to bring quality services to the communities and customers served.

“I have the best job in the world!”

Michelle Acosta is a nationally certified interpreter who has been with Interpretek since 2002. Originally from Rome, NY, she came to Rochester with the goal of becoming an Interpreter after obtaining AAS degrees in Chemical Dependency Counseling and Human Services. After graduating from National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) with her AAS degree in ASL-English Interpretation, she immediately began her career at Interpretek as a Coordinator.

Throughout her career in the Rochester, NY community, Michelle has been fortunate to take advantage of the opportunities presented to her by interpreting in a variety of settings. Also, she has proudly served on the board of the Genesee Valley Region of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (GVRRID), the Local Partner Advisory Board for The National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR), and the Advisory Board for the American Sign Language and Interpreting Education (ASLIE) department at NTID.

Michelle is committed to Interpretek’s values and works to inspire and support others in doing the same. She has a passion for the Deaf community and interpreting community, as well as Interpretek’s consumers, customers, employees, and Interpretek as a whole. After serving various roles at Interpretek through the years, Michelle is currently the Vice President of Interpreting Services supporting our Coordinating and Interpreting teams nationwide.

Learn more about Michelle’s Teams!

Kimberly began her journey in the interpreting profession in 1998 in Rochester, NY.  She holds a certificate in healthcare interpreting and is a NIC Advanced-certified interpreter, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the highest standards in sign language interpretation.  She also graduated from Nazareth’s Speech Pathology and Audiology program with a teacher certification in American Sign Language.

Kim has been with Interpretek as a Manager of Interpreting Services since 2021. She began by managing a remote team of interpreters within Interpretek’s Medical VRI department and has since transitioned to managing our interpreting services on a nationwide scale from Interpretek’s Rochester location.

Jennifer Corbit was born and raised in Rochester, NY. In 2016 she graduated from National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT with her bachelor’s degree in ASL-English Interpretation.

Jenn has been with Interpretek for 5 years as a coordinator in the Rochester office. Within that time, she has coordinated multiple events, including Interpretek’s ongoing coverage of the Rochester Red Wings home games! In addition to coordinating, she has presented to third- and fourth-year interpreting students, planned Interpretek appreciation events and attended the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) conference in 2019.

Jovanna began her interpreting career in 2002 and has since worked in a wide range of settings, including educational, medical, community, legal, and VRI/VRS, environments. She has been a dedicated member of Interpretek since 2013, bringing adaptability, professionalism, and a deep commitment to bridging communication between Deaf and hearing communities.

Jovanna holds NIC, EIPA, and CHI credentials and has contributed to the field as an interpreter, coordinator, manager, and mentor. In her current role as Interpreting Services Manager for the VRI Department, she blends her extensive field experience with thoughtful leadership to support both interpreters and clients.

Tiffany Harrison graduated from the Interpreter Training Program (ITP) in 2006 and is certified as an interpreter in Missouri. In January of 2016, Tiffany started working at Interpretek as a staff interpreter then transitioned to a coordinator in June of 2020. Outside of work, Tiffany is a proud mother of two girls and loves spending time with her family!

Kaitlynn Sayre graduated from Keuka College in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in ASL-English Interpreting. After growing up on Long Island and interpreting for 5 years, Kaitlynn decided to start coordinating at Interpretek.

During her time at Interpretek, she has helped plan the Red Wings Deaf Culture Day in 2021 and Interpreter Appreciation Day in 2022.

Krista Ciccarelli grew up in Long Island, NY and came to Rochester to study ASL interpreting at RIT. In 2021, she graduated from National Technical institute for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT with a bachelor’s degree in ASL-English Interpretation.

She started working at Interpretek as a coordinator in October of 2021 and helped plan the Interpreter Appreciation Day in 2022. During her time in Rochester, Krista has volunteered her interpreting skills for multiple occasions.