< Back Previous Ashleigh Givens Presenter Ashleigh is a fashion photographer and multimedia artist in Detroit, Michigan, and is a graduate of the College for Creative Studies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading art and design books, going to concerts, and caring for her houseplants. Ashleigh loves the National Stuttering Association (NSA) community and wants to help make the NSA a more diverse space. She knows what it’s like to feel like an outsider and works to ensure no one else at the NSA does. Ashleigh is excited to bring her energy and passion to the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. 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

Meet Melissa Sanchez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Melissa Sanchez Conference Coordinator Originally from the Bronx, Melissa has been a dedicated member of the NSA team for over 15 years. Throughout her time, she has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, but her true passion lies in designing the stunning balloon displays for our 1-day events, Regional Gatherings, and Annual Conferences. Outside of work, Melissa is a proud wife and the loving mother of her vibrant 3-year-old daughter, Eleana.

< Back Previous Malina Paley Presenter Malina Paley is a second-year speech-language pathology graduate student at Boston University. She is originally from Chicago and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. Her interest in stuttering began while working in the stuttering lab at the University of Iowa, and she now enjoys working on the clinical side of stuttering with children and adolescents. A fun fact about Malina is that she is conversational in American Sign Language! This is her first NSA conference, and she is so excited to be a part of it! Next

Meet Kaela Coye, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Kaela Coye Young Adults Committee Kaela Coye is a graduate student in speech-language pathology and a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with a passion for communication and advocacy. As a person who stutters, she is deeply committed to promoting understanding, inclusion, and support. She is honored to serve on the National Stuttering Association Young Adult Committee, where she advocates for greater awareness and connection within the stuttering community. Through her work and advocacy, Kaela strives to empower others to find their voice and feel confident being heard.

Join the Tri-Cities - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Tri-Cities FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Washington State Welcome to the NSA Tri-Cities Family Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? In-Person Meetings What age group can attend? Family What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Chapter Meet-ups are held around the Tri-Cities, WA, area. When? Please contact the Chapter Leader for more information and to join our email list! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Elizabeth Follett-Figueroa Chapter Leader Get in touch! nsatricities@gmail.com - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Meet Lexi Hewitt, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Lexi Hewitt Regional Chapter Coordinator - Southwest Region Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah Lexi Hewitt is a certified K-12 school counselor and has a National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certification (NCC). She has been a member of the NSA since 2019 and volunteers as the NSA Exton Adults & Family Chapter Leader, which she started in 2023, as well as the Regional Chapter Coordinator for the Southwest Region. One of her passions is creating content to help the stuttering community grow. She has taught Chapter Leaders how to use Canva, runs the NSA Exton social media pages, and creates content for the NSA! She loves singing along to Taylor Swift, nerding out about TV shows, and being a person who stutters.

< 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 Madeline Wahl Presenter Madeline Wahl is a US-based writer with a Master of Letters in Fantasy Literature (with merit) from the University of Glasgow. She has spoken at the Glasgow International Fantasy Conversation (2023-2025) on fantasy literature and characters who stutter, and presented at the Australian Speak Easy Association’s 2020 conference. In 2025, she co-led a workshop at the National Stuttering Association’s Annual Conference. Her work earned first place in the Stuttering Foundation’s 2014 Journalism Awards (Internet Blog/Website category). She has held editorial roles at Reader’s Digest, HuffPost, and Golf Channel, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida. Next

Join the Maine - Adult & Teen stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Maine ADULT & TEEN CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Maine State Welcome to the NSA Maine Chapter! How do you typically meet? In-Person & Virtual Meetings What age group can attend? Adults, Teens, Parents What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Social gatherings are held quarterly in varying locations. When? Virtual meetings are held during the last week of the month from 6:30-8:00PM to welcome all people who stutter from across the state of Maine. Contact Chapter Leader for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Marybeth Allen & Natalie Bragan Chapter Leaders Get in touch! mballenslp@gmail.com (207) 944-8045 https://sites.google.com/site/stuttermaine/ Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Join the Baltimore - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Baltimore FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - Maryland State Welcome to the NSA Baltimore Family Chapter The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? In-Person Meetings What age group can attend? Family What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Kennedy Krieger Institute Outpatient Center Conference Room 202 801 North Broadway Baltimore, MD 21205 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM EST. Please RSVP via this link: https://eventscalendar.kennedykrieger.org/event/national-stuttering-association-baltimore-chapter-meeting Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Kate Smidl Chapter Leader Get in touch! smidl@kennedykrieger.org (513) 582-6947 - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Join the Windsor - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Windsor ADULT CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Connecticut State Welcome to the NSA Windsor Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? Virtual Meetings What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Windsor, CT When? Virtual meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00PM. Please contact the Chapter Leader for the meeting link. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jeremy Halek Chapter Leader Get in touch! jer1684@aol.com (860) 840-4849 - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter