One Day Conferences

Angelica Bernabe is a person who stutters from Peru and is the director of the Specialized Center for Stuttering (Centro Especializado en Tartamudez). She is a speech and language pathologist, psychologist, and research assistant in the Spartan Stuttering Lab (Michigan State University). She is dedicated to working with people who stutter and training professionals, having presented for clinicians from 30 countries. Angelica won the International Fluency Association Clinician Award in 2022 (Canada) for her work helping Hispanic people who stutter. She will continue her studies with a Ph.D. focused on stuttering research at Florida State University, under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Constantino. Angelica runs a Stuttering Podcast and a YouTube channel. She speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and she is learning Dutch!

Erin Bodner, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language therapist specializing in stuttering and a Clinical Supervisor at the University of Minnesota. She currently supervises graduate students in their first clinical education practicum. Erin received her B.A. from Colby College and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She previously worked in the public schools with students from the preschool to high school level. She regularly presents around the state of Minnesota on stuttering-affirming and acceptance-based therapy approaches. In 2009, she co-founded the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Camp for Kids Who Stutter, a day camp that promotes confidence in communication and building a support community. Erin holds the Ally of Stuttering™ seal from Spero Stuttering. In her free time, Erin can be found on an ice rink playing ice hockey and broomball or walking her dog, Frankie (a trained therapy dog), around the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis.

Annie Bradberry considers herself very blessed to be a part of the stuttering community with her involvement spanning over 40 years. She served as the past Executive Director of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) (1993-2003), and past Board Chair of the International Stuttering Association. During that time Annie served on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders, as the consumer representative. Continuing her passion for the stuttering community, she loves presenting workshops, providing in-service trainings to local universities and school districts whenever she can. With 30 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector, Annie’s full-time job is Executive Director of a national non-profit in Southern California.

Nic Brow works as a speech language pathologist at the Sisskin Stuttering Center. Nic completed his undergraduate training at the University of Vermont, followed by a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Iowa. Throughout his education, he conducted research on the experience of stuttering of adults and teens. He has worked as a clinical educator at Western Michigan University and as a speech therapist across multiple public schools with students from the preschool to high school level. Nic frequently presents on acceptance-based therapy for stuttering both nationally and internationally. He predominantly works with youth who stutter and their families, within the framework of Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). In his free time, Nic enjoys surfing, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

Bryan Brown, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (he/him) is an assistant professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has personal, clinical, academic and research experience with stuttering. His research interests focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning specifically related to stuttering and other fluency disorders. He very much enjoys working with students as they learn more about stuttering and people who stutter as they share their own experiences. He also has a really cute dog, Thea, who often comes to class with him.

Lindsey Burant is a wife and mother of two boys. Stuttering runs in her family and she has stuttered her whole life. She currently serves as the Chapter Leader for the NSA Milwaukee Chapter Support Group.

Nick Caruso M.S., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and a speech-language pathologist at the Chmela Communication Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois where he provides assessment and treatment for clients of all ages who stutter, have other fluency disorders or have other speech and language needs. Nick is a Facilitator at Camp Shout Out, and a co-director of the Camp Shout Out Community Connections virtual program. He received a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Midwestern University in Downer’s Grove, Illinois in 2020. In recent years, Nick has guest lectured at Midwestern University (fluency course), has presented twice at the Virtual Logopedics Conference in the Czech Republic (with colleagues Kyle Pelkey, M.S., CCC-SLP and Erik Raj, Ph.D., CCC-SLP), and recently presented with Kyle Pelkey at the 2024 Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Nick is forever grateful for the relationship with his mentors Kimberly Hoffer, CCC-SLP, and Kristin Chmela M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F. Nick is returning to Friends after leading two workshops with Kyle Pelkey at the 2023 Friends convention.

Ai Leen Choo, Ph.D. holds a doctoral degree in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Georgia State University, where she also directs the Stuttering and Bilingualism Lab. Her research is centered on understanding the relationship between stuttering and cognitive development, as well as the experience of adults who stutter in the workplace. Her research objectives are rooted in supporting the needs of children who stutter and improving the workplace experience of adults who stutter. She is also a founding member of the first National Stuttering Association affinity group for women who stutter.

Sheila Cina, M.A. CCC-SLP is the owner of The Talking Place, a private practice in Golden Valley, which offers holistic speech therapy and communication confidence building for people of all ages. Sheila works as a speech therapist and coaches and trains SLPs in stuttering-related assessment and treatment at Minneapolis Public Schools and across the state of Minnesota. Sheila loves to host social groups, support groups, and book groups for kids, adults, and caregivers in the stuttering community.

Dr. Derek E. Daniels is a speech-language pathologist and associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Derek has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on stuttering. He is a person who stutters, and conducts research on psychosocial aspects of stuttering, identity, and intersectionality. Derek has participated in many self-help events, workshops, and clinical training programs for people who stutter. He is a former President of the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and currently serves as the Association’s Vice-President (VP) for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In 2023, Derek received the Professional of the Year Award from the National Stuttering Association.

Robert L. Dellinger, M.S., CCC-SLP, is an elementary school speech-language pathologist in the Wake County (N.C.) Public School System. Mr. Dellinger serves as the stuttering/fluency disorders consultant for his district, helping colleagues to navigate through ongoing challenges within the evaluation and treatment process. He presents workshops on stuttering evaluation and treatment. Mr. Dellinger, a person who stutters, lives in Raleigh, N.C.

Joseph Donaher, Ph.D., is the Academic and Research Program Director of the Center for Childhood Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an adjunct associate professor of Otorhinolaryngology at The University of Pennsylvania. He is a Board-Certified Specialist in Stuttering, Cluttering and Fluency.

Tim Flynn is a person who stutters and works as a speech pathologist at Jamestown Elementary in Arlington Public Schools. He has been involved in the stuttering self-help community for multiple years across organizations, organizing and leading workshops, seminars, and events. Tim guest lectures at NYU graduate level stuttering course, and has presented locally and nationally in building awareness of stuttering across populations. Tim has a special interest in reducing stigma and stereotypes amongst people who stutter and published articles related to that subject and working with stuttering within the public schools.

Cecilia Goedert (she/her) is a speech-language pathologist based in Seattle, Washington. She has been involved in the stuttering community for most of her career, having participated in Camp Shout Out for Youth Who Stutter as a volunteer/graduate student and in their workshop program as a speech pathologist. Goedert also participated in Transcending Stuttering’s training cohort in 2021. She previously worked for the stuttering specialty clinic at National Therapy Center—a private practice on the East Coast—via telehealth. Goedert currently works for a large hospital system in the Seattle Metro area, where she works with pediatric and adult populations in the outpatient setting. Through her current position, she has collaborated with the speech pathology team on creating neurodiversity-friendly evaluation practices and updating evaluation and treatment materials for stuttering clients. Goedert is also an adjunct instructor at Eastern Washington University in Spokane, Washington, where she teaches a hybrid course on Multicultural Issues in Speech Pathology. Outside of work, Cecilia participates in the Seattle improv community and is interested in exploring the concept of using improv to build communicative confidence and create shared joy and experiences. She is excited to bring this idea to the Friends one-day conference and to collaborate with the many wonderful individuals attending this year’s conference.

Katie Gore, MA, CCC-SLP is the founder and director of speech IRL, a speech therapy education and consulting firm. Katie’s clinical specialties are stuttering, executive function, social communication. In addition to her clinical experience as a speech-language pathologist, Katie provides training and consulting to clinicians and organizations on topics related to communication and inclusive therapy approaches. Katie is an adjunct faculty member at Rush University where she teaches coursework in stuttering and fluency disorders. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association, the co-founder of Shared Voices Chicago, and an active participant in the stuttering community.

Heather Grossman, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF is the Director of the American Institute for Stuttering, has worked with people who stutter and their families for over 30 years. She was among the first select group of speech-language pathologists to receive certification as a specialist in fluency disorders from ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association.) She has extensive experience in clinical supervision and has taught graduate courses in fluency and other topics at several universities including Hofstra, Queens College, Mercy College and the University of Louisiana. Dr. Grossman’s research has focused on the phenomenon of voluntary stuttering. She is a frequent presenter at both national and international professional conferences. She is also an active member of the stuttering self-help community and regularly volunteers her time to support Friends: The National Organization of Young People who Stutter.

Amanda Hampton Wray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Innovation in the Department of Communication Science & Disorders at University of Pittsburgh. Her research program examines the development of brain functions mediating language and attention using a multimodal approach, including behavioral and neurophysiological measures. She focuses on factors that affect and support neural processing in complex environments, with a focus on developmental stuttering.  

Ceil Hendrickson RN is the proud parent of John Hendrickson, a PWS, and the author of the acclaimed book, ” Life On Delay, Making Peace with a Stutter”. Ceil retired in 2016 after working for 45 years as a Registered Nurse. Her career covered the gamut of positions from School Nursing, to Intensive Care Nursing, Pediatric Trauma, Patient Education, Medical/Surgical Nursing and even the occasional summer off, working as a Camp Nurse in various states, and in Greece. Ceil is an active supporter of FRIENDS and had the pleasure of participating in the 2023  FRIENDS convention held in Chicago. Ceil currently volunteers in The Family Caregiver Center at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Carl Herder, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF is the Atlanta Clinic Director for the American Institute for Stuttering. He is a Board-Certified Stuttering Specialist and serves on the American Board of Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders. He joined AIS in New York in 2006 and opened the office in Atlanta, GA in 2016. He is an active researcher and presenter and regularly attends Friends and NSA conferences – establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with people in the stuttering support community.

Caryn Herring, M.S., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and the Executive Director of Friends. She met Lee in 2010 and has been active with Friends since then, serving as the Board Chairperson for five years. Caryn is also a doctoral candidate at Michigan State University. Her research interests include desensitization, reducing adverse impact, and making voice-activated AI accessible to people who stutter.

Carolyn Hirshenhorn, MA CCC-SLP is an outpatient speech-language pathologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Childhood Communication. Carolyn’s areas of interest and specialty include fluency and stuttering, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and supporting children with complex communication needs, and their families.

Doreen (Dori) Lenz Holte is an author, parent advocate, and mom to a 28-year-old who stutters.  She is the founder of the Voice Unearthed Facebook parent support group with 3,900+ members from all over the world. Dori enjoys speaking to universities all over the world and doing Q&A’s with SLP graduate students (via Zoom). She also participates in various podcasts, blogs, and was honored to contribute to the book, Stammering Pride and Prejudice: Difference not Defect published by J&R Press Ltd. in 2019. Her first book, Voice Unearthed: Hope, Help, and a Wake-Up Call for the Parents of Children Who Stutter was published (2011) was inspired by research and the experiences she had with speech therapy for her young son who stuttered. Her next book, VoiceS Unearthed: The Impact of Early Childhood Intervention on Those Who Continue to Stutter (2023), Dori unearths the voices of 60 individuals, a combination of parents with older children who stutter and adults who stutter, to better understand how early intervention impacted their quality of life. Dori lives her husband, Peter, in Golden Valley, Minnesota. They are parents to three wonderful adult sons and one lovely daughter-in-law – so far.

Dr. Eric S. Jackson is a Clinician-Scientist, Assistant Professor, and Director of the stuttering and vvariability (savvy) lab at NYU. His research examines the variability of stuttering—why people stutter on some words in some situations, but not on those same words in other situations. Dr. Jackson uses a multi-level approach including neural, behavioral, and qualitative methods to study social-cognitive and anticipatory processes as separate but interconnected sources of variability. He is also a speech-language pathologist, clinical educator, and a person who stutters.

Melissa Jensen, a person who stutters, is a 2013 graduate of Eastern Washington University with a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders. She is passionate about working with individuals of all ages who stutter. Melissa has worked as a speech-language pathologist in the Lake Washington School District since 2013, primarily in elementary schools. She has worked with people who stutter in a variety of settings, including schools, intensive summer programs, and outpatient settings. Melissa is in the process of completing board certification as a specialist in stuttering, cluttering and fluency disorders (BCS-SCF). Melissa currently resides in Kenmore, WA.

Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is the Director of the Atlanta Satellite of The University of Texas at Austin’s Arthur M Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research, a clinical research institute with the mission to change the world for people who stutter by 1) providing access to quality care at no cost to those of all ages who stutter, 2) fostering a global pipeline of speech-language pathologists and researchers who specialize in stuttering through national and international training of undergraduate students, graduate students, and practicing clinicians, and 3) generating new knowledge about the etiology of stuttering and best practices. Dr. Johnson serves on the Board of Ethics for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Board of Directors as the Immediate Past Chair of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing.

Tiffani Kittilstved (she/her/hers) is a speech therapist, a chapter leader for the National Stuttering Association’s Seattle Family Chapter and a PhD student. She also identifies as a stutterer and ADHDer. These disabilities have shaped her life profoundly and motivated her clinical interests in working with other stutterers as well as her research interests which aim to center the experiences of people who stutter with intersecting marginalized identities (e.g. BIPOC, women, queer folx, and individuals with multiple disabilities). She is based out of Seattle where she owns and runs a speech therapy collective – RAIN Therapy Collective – and is completing her PhD online through Idaho State University. She is originally from Spokane, Washington but has lived in Seattle for 6 years now. In her free time, she loves playing board games, drinking far too much coffee, and hanging out with friends.

Melissa Kokaly is Assistant Professor and Clinical Supervisor Lead for Fluency Disorders at the University of Washington Speech and Hearing Clinic. She has taught stuttering courses and supervised stuttering practicum as well as organizing stuttering workshops and mentoring students and speech-language pathologists to help them discover the joy of stuttering therapy.

Joel Korte is a person who stutters and the owner of Chase Bliss, a Minneapolis based company that designs and manufactures guitar pedals. Joel is a board member for Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter.

Allison Ladavat, M.A., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and the mother of 3 children. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where she provides holistic stuttering therapy to people of all ages. She has previously worked as a clinical instructor at Duquesne University. Through the Friends organization, Allison helped to develop a partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, coordinating unique experiences at each Penguins home game for local children who stutter.

Elyse Lambeth received her master’s degree from University of Redlands. She is board certified in stuttering, cluttering, and fluency disorders and is a past chair of the executive board. Elyse works with kids who stutter, cluttering, and have atypical disfluencies at Seattle Children’s Hospital, co-facilitates the Seattle Stuttering Camp for Teens, and coordinates various workshops and stuttering events.

Sara MacIntyre, M.A., CCC-SLP is the One-Day Conference Director for Friends. Sara owns YouSpeak, LLC where she provides stuttering therapy in Philadelphia and virtually, as well as consulting services. Sara is an adjunct instructor at Teachers College, Columbia University in their graduate program and is the producer and moderator for Virtual Learning by Stuttering Foundation and the Stuttering Foundation Podcast. She is a board member for Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter.

Lila Magalski is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying to be a speech-language pathologist. She has stuttered her whole life and loves opportunities to give back to the community so near and dear to her heart. In her spare time she enjoys nature, music, and being with those she loves the most.

Courtney Margulis is a person who stutters, speech-language pathologist, and doctoral student at New York University studying social cognitive influences on stuttering. Courtney also serves as an adjunct instructor at Pace University. She has been an active member in the stuttering community for over eleven years, currently serving as Professional Relations Chair of the National Stuttering Association Board of Directors. She is co-author of the 3Es model for stuttering therapy and her research has recently been published in ASHA Perspectives and the Journal of Fluency Disorders. She is the founder and director of RISE Speech and Communication Center and is particularly interested in bridging the divide between research and practice. In 2020, she received the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Tim McCarren, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist with Hopkins Public Schools, a person who stutters, and leader of the National Stuttering Association’s Twin Cities adult chapter. Tim received his Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and his Master’s degree in speech Pathology. Tim loves working with people who stutter of all ages, helping them grow with stuttering. He wishes for all people who stutter to hear the power and beauty of their voices. A stuttering voice is just another rhythm in the song of life. Let me hear your song!

Loryn McGill, M.S., CCC-SLP is the owner of OC Stuttering Center in Costa Mesa, CA providing therapy exclusively for people who stutter and at University of Southern California she is an Adjunct Professor and teaches the graduate course in Fluency Disorders. She is the co-developer of the Childhood Stuttering Screening for Pediatricians (CSS-P) and has conducted international research examining the benefits of early identification of stuttering and its benefits as well as researched the use of medication in the treatment of stuttering.  She has been involved with various stuttering support organizations planning conferences, support groups and camps for children who stutter.  

Hallie Mintz, M.S. CCC-SLP is the owner of Philly Speech Services, a private practice in the greater Philadelphia area, where she works with children of all ages and abilities. Hallie has a passion for supporting children and adolescents who stutter by encouraging confident communication. She has attended several Friends one-day conferences and is excited to be more involved with this amazing organization! In her free time, Hallie enjoys yoga, crafting, cooking new recipes, and spending time outdoors with her husband and dog.

Briann Morbitzer, M.S., CCC-SLP is the owner and clinician of Superior Speech Therapy–a private practice in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her clients are mostly kids and adults who stutter including the client’s family and support. Bri is the founder and facilitator of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Stuttering Group which is a social conversation group for adults who stutter. While Bri is not a person who stutters herself, she is a creator of space for those that do. She enjoys learning and connecting authentically with others.

Nora A. O’Connor LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and a person who stutters.  She currently is serving as the Director of Behavioral Health Programs at Wesley Health Centers in Los Angeles and operates a private practice where she focuses on treating the emotional response to stuttering.  With over 20 years of involvement in the stuttering self-help movement, Nora finds immense fulfillment in engaging with children, teenagers, and parents affected by stuttering. She is passionate about providing hope and education, recognizing that stuttering can pose challenges but also believes in the power of shared experiences within the stuttering community to enhance one’s quality of life.

Mark O’Malia, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and person who stutters. He is the Assistant Executive Director at The American Institute for Stuttering in NYC, working with people who stutter across the lifespan. Mark is actively involved in the stuttering self-help community, frequently facilitating and presenting workshops at national conferences for both Friends and the National Stuttering Association (NSA).

Shelby Potts, M.S., CCC-SLP, is in private practice in Raleigh, NC. She is a person who stutters. Her practice focuses on the evaluation and treatment of children, teens, and adults who stutter. She is a current candidate for board specialty certification through the American Board of Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders.

Mary Purpura, M.S. CCC-SLP is the owner of Mary Purpura Speech Pathology.  She co-chaired a Friends conference in 2017, where she had the opportunity to meet many children, teens, and adults who stutter and listen to their experiences.  She was motivated to become a therapist who considers the full communication experience and helps children who stutter gain confidence.

Naomi H. Rodgers, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an assistant professor at the University Iowa. She directs the Iowa Stuttering Lab where her research team examines the cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of stuttering and communication differences more broadly. She teaches courses undergraduate and graduate in stuttering, counseling, and clinical methods for speech-language therapists. Her work is inspired by her experiences as a person who stutters, clinician, and advocate in the stuttering support community. She is deeply committed to the mission of Friends and is honored to be part of our collective journey towards greater inclusion and acceptance of stuttering.

Heather D. Salvo (she/her) is a postdoctoral researcher at the Wisconsin Intelligibility, Speech, and Communication (WISC) Laboratory, located in the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research involves exploring the role of stress, appraisal, and emotional responses in developmental stuttering. In addition to these research interests, Heather is passionate about supporting people who stutter, their families, and SLPs through connection and education. Heather has taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses in speech-language pathology, and she has presented on topics related to stuttering at international, state, and local conferences.

Greg Scott, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who is the clinic director of the American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) in Los Angeles.  His approach puts an emphasis on radical self-acceptance which he has made the cornerstone of his practice. Prior to becoming clinic director, he worked as the official in-house Stuttering Consultant for Minneapolis Public Schools.  His stuttering-only private practice he founded was the first of its kind in the Twin Cities.

Jordan Siegel, MS, CCC-SLP is a pediatric, outpatient, speech-language pathologist in the Center for Childhood Communication at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and adjunct assistant professor in Temple University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders where he teaches the stuttering course.

Vivian Sisskin is a Clinical Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, an ASHA Fellow, and Board-Certified Specialist in Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency. She served as Chair of ASHA’s Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and received ASHA’s Media Champion Award for her work in promoting public awareness of stuttering. Sisskin owns the Sisskin Stuttering Center and created the YouTube Channel “Open Stutter” to serve as a resource and promote acceptance and change for stutterers.

Robin Sullivan, MS, LMFT, SEP is a licensed psychotherapist, somatic practitioner and person who stutters. She has masters degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Rehabilitation Counseling, and works as a trainer and consultant in working with early/developmental trauma. In her online private practice, she provides therapy to individuals and families, with a focus on managing stress and developing resiliency.  She is a NSA chapter leader, past Stutter Social co-host, national and international workshop leader, presenter to SLP classes, and has been involved with the stuttering community for over 30 years.

Sophie Tabrizi, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist, children’s book author, and person who stutters.  She works as a pediatric SLP in Southern California and has been involved in the stuttering community from a young age; attending and supporting planning for Friends conferences and events for the last 15 years.  Her passion and advocacy for stuttering started at a young age and with the support of her family, friends, and colleagues she recently published a book titled Ruby & Rhett Explore Stuttering.

Trisha Thapar, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and is the owner of Adventures in Communication. She is passionate about working with the stuttering community and has collaborated on international research examining the benefits of early identification of stuttering and its benefits. She obtained her Masters of Sciences in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Chapman University. She also helped coordinate Camp SAY LA, a camp for young children who stutter through Stuttering Association for the Young. 

Rita Thurman, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-F has worked in the schools and in clinical settings in Utah, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, South Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina since 1977. Her private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina focuses on the evaluation and treatment of children, teens and adults who stutter. She has been active in the support community for people who stutter since 1979. This will be her 12th year of hosting the Raleigh, North Carolina Friends One-Day Conference.

Seth E. Tichenor, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and an assistant professor at Duquesne University. His research interests include better understanding and predicting individual differences in the experience of stuttering (stammering), understanding how adverse impact related to the condition develops, and determining how moments of stuttering occur in speech. He is currently investigating the role cognitive-affective processes have on speech production and language formulation processes in stuttering and non-clinical populations. He also practices clinically and is actively involved in clinical education regarding stuttering assessment and treatment.

Sarah Vogel, MS CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist at CHOP’s Center for Childhood Communication where she provides assessment and treatment for children and teens with communication disorders.  Her specialties include stuttering, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder and cleft palate speech. She is an adjunct professor at West Chester University where she teaches the stuttering course.

Haley Warner is a speech-language pathologist and a third-year doctoral student in the stuttering and vvariability (savvy) lab at New York University. Haley joined the savvy lab in 2018 while pursuing her master’s degree at NYU. She attended her first Friends Annual Convention in Chicago in 2019 and has been involved with Friends ever since. Haley’s research investigates the impact of linguistic features and social-cognitive factors on the variability of stuttering events. Haley is passionate about Friends and draws on her experiences with Friends to inform her research.

Barry Yeoman is a journalist who stutters. He has reported from across the United States, Western Europe, India, China, Israel, and Turkey, and his work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, The Nation, Audubon Magazine, National Wildlife, HuffPost, and Discover. Barry has been involved in self-help for more than 30 years. He co-founded Passing Twice, a network of LGBTQ people who stutter and their allies.

Tricia Zebrowski, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BSC-SCF is a long-time volunteer with Friends and has been a presenter and facilitator for many annual conventions, one-day workshops and virtual parent groups. In recent years she organized the Graduate Student Training Program at the annual convention. Tricia is a speech-language therapist and Professor Emerita in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Iowa. Her research, teaching and clinical work focused on the nature and treatment of stuttering across the lifespan, particularly stuttering in adolescence. From over 20 years Tricia directed UISPEAKS for Teens, a summer residential program for teenagers who stutter, held at The University of Iowa.

Emily Zimmer, M.A., CCC-SLP is a speech-language therapist with Saint Paul Public Schools and Resonant Speech Therapy. Prior to receiving her Master’s degree in speech-language pathology, she attended clown school in Switzerland and worked as a theatre teaching artist for many years. She is currently collaborating with Speaking Out Collective to bring puppet shows that celebrate and center neurodivergent characters with unique talents to audiences of children and adults.