about us
Meet our passionate, professional, and dedicated team
“The talented and committed interpreters that make up Beyond Interpreting have moved mountains for those who are DeafBlind and they will continue to do so. They do not take "no" for an answer. Barriers they encounter are turned into stepping stones. Having lived in seven states and personally familiar with the resources therein for those who are DeafBlind I can say with confidence that the state of Missouri is blessed beyond all measure for the presence of the incredible team of Beyond Interpreting.”
— JC Dollar, Greater Kansas City DeafBlind Task Force
Michelle DeMartino, Owner & Director
Michelle discovered her passion for sign language early in life, influenced by her Deaf cousin and her interactions with Deaf classmates. She pursued this passion academically, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting from Maple Woods Community College in 2010 and later becoming an alumna of the University of Missouri.
Michelle holds an Advanced Interpreting Certification from the State of Missouri and a level 5/4 certification in Kansas. With over fourteen years of experience, she is proficient in a variety of settings, including medical, government, and news/press conference interpreting. In addition to her interpreting work, Michelle is dedicated to mentoring students and new interpreters, sharing her expertise, and fostering growth in the field.
Carmen Bartlett, Administrative Assistant
Carmen provides interpreter scheduling and a variety of administrative support services for Beyond Interpreting. She has over 20 years of experience working for private and public organizations that provide services for children and adults with developmental delays /disabilities and their families. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University.
Kristine CHase, Interpreting Services Coordinator
Kristine is a Missouri Certified and Licensed Interpreter with a BEI Advanced level certification. She began her interpreting career after earning an Associate of Applied Science in Sign Language Interpreting from Johnson County Community College. She also completed Everest College’s Medical Assisting Program in 2012.
Kristine’s interest in interpreting was sparked in the third grade when she met a Deaf classmate. With over five years of professional experience, she is dedicated to ongoing growth and development in all aspects of her career.
Joelle dieckhoff, Part-Time Staff Interpreter
Joelle is a Missouri Certified and Licensed Interpreter with a BEI Basic Certification. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in American Sign Language Interpreting from Augustana University. Joelle began her career with Beyond Interpreting as an intern in 2019 and was promptly hired as a staff interpreter upon graduation.
Known for her positivity and passion, Joelle approaches every task with enthusiasm and dedication. She demonstrates strong communication skills and her continuous desire to learn and excel makes her a valuable asset in any team environment.
