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< 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

< Back Previous Brittney O'Neal Presenter Brittney O’Neal has been involved in the stuttering community since 2016 and attended her first NSA in 2024 She is a healthcare professional and owner of a prosthetics and orthotics clinic in California. Brittney is a proud Mama to her four year old daughter, Atlas, who is perfectly sassy and outspoken. Next

< Back Previous Jess Kossack Presenter Jess Kossack has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2009. She has previously served as an NSA Chapter Leader and has facilitated workshops at the Annual Conference. She lives in Hanover Park, Illinois, and works as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Veterans Health Administration. In this role, she supports veterans with disabilities to help them find employment and succeed as employees. Next

< Back Previous Charles Black Presenter Charles Black is a storyteller, educator, organizer, and a proud queer person who stutters. He placed 2nd in a DC Moth and spoke at the 2025 World Pride Out/Spoken Storytelling Show, where he shared his experience coming out twice as a gay man and as a person who stutters. Charles is a National Director for the Fair Elections Center, and lives in Philadelphia with his cat, Delilah. Next

< Back Previous Barry Shaul Presenter Barry Shaul is a former police officer, federal special agent, and corporate executive who has lived with stuttering for more than five decades. His work focuses on the journey from managing speech to embracing identity and redefining fluency as mastery of substance rather than smoothness. Drawing from lived experience in high-stakes professional environments, Barry brings a grounded, authentic perspective to conversations about acceptance, leadership, and voice within the stuttering community. Next

< Back Previous Hazel Johnson Presenter Hazel Johnson is a member of the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Teen Advisory Council (TAC) and currently serves as TAC Chair, bringing strong leadership, collaboration, and advocacy skills to her work. She has attended Camp SAY since 2022, with the 2024 NSA Conference in St. Louis marking her first Annual Conference. Hazel is also the Public Outreach Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter, where she supports community engagement, outreach initiatives, and relationship-building that help expand awareness and connection within the stuttering community. She is a high school senior from Lincoln, Nebraska. Next

< Back Previous Marci Post Presenter Marci Post is a lifelong learner, mother of two, and devoted wife of 33 years who has built a life of service through speech therapy, business ownership, mentoring, caregiving, and her passions for gardening, functional medicine, and family. This is her first Annual Conference. Next

< Back Previous Elaine Robin-Kruijd Presenter Elaine Robin-Kruijd is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Seattle area. She is also a person who stutters and has been active in the stuttering community for over 25 years. She enjoys international travel. She has attended and presented at stuttering support conferences in Argentina, the Netherlands, India, England, Canada, and the US. At any given time, you can find Elaine spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. And always supporting and advocating for people who stutter. Next

< Back Previous Abhishek Agarwal Presenter Abhishek Agarwal is a person who stutters and is deeply involved with the National Stuttering Association (NSA) through the WeStutter@Work committee and co-leads the NSA Seattle Adult chapter. He is passionate about stuttering advocacy and his own stuttering journey has helped him build confidence and break free from his inhibitions. Outside of the NSA, Abhishek is a cybersecurity specialist and enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and watching movies. Next

< Back Previous Stacey Dedering Presenter Stacey Dedering is a Human Resources professional in San Jose, California, and is the mother of 20-year-old twins and a cat named Eskie. She initially found the National Stuttering Association 15 years ago, but was working and had young kids, so it just wasn't the right time. About 3 years ago, she was looking for a connection with others who "get” stuttering and found the Women Connect group. She has attended the last two Annual Conferences. Next

< Back Previous Maria Shook Presenter Maria Shook is the proud mom of Ian Shook, a teen who stutters. The Shook family has been attending the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Annual Conferences since 2021 and are very thankful for the community of support the NSA provides. Maria is a native Delawarean who currently resides in Maryland and works for the Space Telescope Science Institute. Next

< Back Previous Zachary Schwabe Presenter Zachary Schwabe is a proud Philadelphia native and graduate of La Salle University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early and Special Education. He is certified in both Early Childhood and Special Education and currently works as a Special Education Teacher at Devereux Day Academy. Zach has been involved with Camp SAY since 2021 and continues to return each summer as a counselor. Since 2023, he has been active with the NSA Philadelphia Chapter, helping organize group events and outings. Outside of work, Zach is a loyal Philadelphia sports fan, especially the Phillies and Eagles. Next