Meet the 2026 Annual Conference Award Honorees

At the 2026 Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, we had the honor of recognizing five outstanding individuals and NSA Chapters whose dedication continues to make a difference in the stuttering community. Each year, we celebrate people who devote their time, expertise, and care to supporting people who stutter. Their contributions may take different forms, including mentorship, professional education, research, advocacy, public awareness, and local community building. 

This year’s honorees include a deeply committed volunteer, an influential professional, a longtime leader inducted into the NSA Hall of Fame, and two chapters that create supportive local communities for people who stutter and their families. We are proud to recognize their contributions and share more about the people and NSA Chapters behind the 2026 awards.

Hall of Fame Award: Dr. John Tetnowski

For more than 25 years, John has advanced stuttering research, educated future professionals, and supported people who stutter and their families. After more than 25 NSA Annual Conferences, nearly 100 published manuscripts, and countless lives touched, John’s place in the NSA Hall of Fame is incredibly well deserved.

Professional of the Year: Jodi Reinstein

Jodi has spent more than 25 years championing inclusive education and better support for students who stutter. Through her professional expertise, lived experience as a parent, and service on the NSA Professional Relations Committee, she keeps the voices of young people who stutter at the center of her work.

Volunteer of the Year: Abhishek Agarwal

Abhishek has served the NSA as a chapter leader, co-founder of the WeStutter@Work Mentorship Program, leader of the WeStutter@Work Committee, and co-leader of Asians Who Stutter. He gives his time and talents wholeheartedly, always looking for another way to support people who stutter.

Family Chapter of the Year: St. Louis, Missouri

Led by Molly Porzel, Mitch Porzel, and Christine Rose, this thriving chapter creates supportive and empowering experiences for kids and teens who stutter and their families. Its leaders also bring stuttering education into the wider St. Louis community through workshops and media appearances.

Adult Chapter of the Year: Seattle, Washington

Led by Andrew Chekerylla and Ashish Gupta, the Seattle Adult Chapter brings adults who stutter together through regular meetings, open mics, 5Ks, social gatherings, fundraisers, and public education. Their Stuttering Awareness Week booth at Pike Place Market is just one example of how they connect with their community.