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< Back Previous DM Forker Presenter DM Forker is a person who stutters and has stuttered for more than 50 years—he doesn’t remember a time in his life when he spoke fluently. He has an identical twin brother who does not stutter. DM has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 30 years, and together they have two daughters, one of whom also stutters. He lives in Nebraska and works as a criminal investigator for a local Sheriff’s Office. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, hiking, fishing, camping, and training for 100‑mile ultramarathon races. Next

< Back Previous Tanya Banks Presenter Tanya Banks has been an active member of the NSA since 1998. She is the Chapter Leader of Detroit/Royal Oak and Regional Chapter Coordinator for the Central North region. She is also the Adult Programs Chair on the Board of Directors. She was recognized as NSA Chapter Leader of the Year in 2013. Her chapter was recognized as Chapter of the Year in 2023, and she was also recognized as Regional Chapter Coordinator of the Year in 2023. She has worked as a customer service representative for 22 years and credits finding her voice to the NSA. She is an avid angel collector, enjoys inspirational music and old comedy shows. Next

< Back Previous Ryleigh Bowers Presenter Ryleigh Bowers is an incoming high school sophomore with a passion for theater, dance, and vocal performance. She is returning for her second year volunteering with the NSA Family Programs. While she is not a person who stutters, she has developed a deep understanding of stuttering through living with and learning from her father, who stutters. Next

< Back Previous Michèle Ayoub Presenter Michèle Ayoub discovered the stuttering community later in life and quickly became obsessed with everything to do with stuttering. She creates supportive spaces for people who stutter to connect and build confidence, sharing her perspective on stuttering and on embracing one’s voice. Next

< Back Previous Nihar Mahapatra Presenter Nihar Mahapatra, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. His research interests include computer architecture & VLSI and parallel and high-performance computing. In these areas, he has published more than 50 papers in leading refereed journals, conferences, and workshops, and has also contributed invited papers. Nihar is the PI of the HeardAI project. Next

< Back Previous David Richards Presenter David is from New York City and is passionate about public health. Stuttering has been part of his life since adolescence and has shaped who he is today. He believes that stuttering has influenced the way he handles life situations with resilience. In high school, David was valedictorian and delivered a speech to hundreds of people, which helped him build confidence that has carried into his early adulthood and continues today. Being part of the DEI Committee allows him to connect with different people so they can learn from one another. It is a great feeling for him to know that he is not the only person navigating life with a stutter. Next

< Back Previous Daniel Mittleman Presenter Daniel Mittleman is the Co-Chapter Leader of the National Stuttering Association Treasure Coast, Florida Chapter, which he co-founded with his wife, Angela. An experienced trial attorney, Daniel has conducted more than 60 jury trials and litigated a wide range of cases, including capital life felonies and complex illegal gambling prosecutions. Throughout his career as a public servant, he has remained committed to improving access to justice and strengthening the court system. Daniel is dedicated to ensuring that every voice (especially those often overlooked or misunderstood) is heard and respected. Next

< Back Previous Gabriela Perez Presenter Founded in the summer of 2023, the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable environment for all people who stutter and advancing outreach and advocacy initiatives with the NSA. While stuttering unites us as a community, we recognize that intersectional identities, structural inequities, historical underrepresentation, and individual lived experiences shape how each person who stutters navigates life. Gabriela Perez is passionate about her identity as a person who stutters and is proud of her involvement in the NSA as the DEI Committee Leader. She currently works as a paralegal with the American Civil Liberties Union and will be starting at Harvard Law School in the fall. In her free time, she enjoys pilates, embroidery, and spending time with her family (two sets of twins) and pets. Next

< Back Previous Reagan Jesinkey Presenter Reagan Jesinkey is from Apex, North Carolina, and is an incoming freshman at the University of Alabama. She loves dance, art, and traveling, and serves as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter. Reagan has enjoyed becoming more involved in the stuttering community, and she’s excited to attend her first Annual Conference in Charlotte and meet everyone. Next

< Back Previous Maya Singal Presenter Maya Singal is from Chicago, Illinois, and is going into her freshman year of college to study speech pathology. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her friends, play golf, and walk her dog. She is a part of the Teen Advisory Council and Sisters Who Stutter. She has loved giving back to the stuttering community and meeting others through the National Stuttering Association. Next

< Back Previous Dustin Linkins Presenter Dustin Linkins is a person who stutters, he has been part of the National Stuttering Association since 2011. Dustin is 3 years sober as of March 28th 2026. He never thought his soberity and stutter would link up to help others. He is leading the sober check-in on Thursday, July 2nd and Saturday. We can have fun without a drink. Dustin found the joy of scuba 2 yrs ago and spends his old alcohol money on scuba trips and gear. Next

< Back Previous Edmund Metzold Presenter Edmund Metzold has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2015, attending NSA Chapter meetings and Annual Conferences. He co-leads the NSA Boston Adult Chapter and is very involved with Passing Twice, an organization for LGBTQ+ people who stutter. Edmund works as a Senior Production Support Analyst for a healthcare data analytics company. In his free time, he loves traveling, playing trivia, and singing with his barbershop chorus and quartet. Next