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Access WeStutter@Work Resources from the National Stuttering Association. Find tools, tips, and support to excel professionally as a person who stutters. Empower Your Career Journey Discover resources, support, and real stories to help you thrive in your professional life. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON LINKEDIN Achieve Your Career Goals At the National Stuttering Association, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed professionally, regardless of their fluency. Our WeStutter@Work Program is dedicated to empowering individuals who stutter with the tools, resources, and support needed to achieve their career ambitions. Whether you are starting your job search, preparing for interviews, or advancing in your career, we are here to help you every step of the way. Resources for Success Essential Tools for Professional Growth Mentorship Program The WeStutter@Work Mentorship Program is the first of its kind, designed to connect individuals who stutter with mentors who truly understand their experiences. This initiative provides a supportive environment where participants can explore and create achievable career goals, build confidence in the workplace, and receive guidance from other professionals who stutter or from allies committed to fostering workplace inclusion for those who stutter. Through meaningful mentorship, participants can gain insights, celebrate victories (no matter how big or small), and develop the skills and confidence to thrive both personally and professionally. By joining, you become part of a groundbreaking community dedicated to redefining what it means to succeed in the workplace as a person who stutters. JOIN THE PROGRAM Practice Interviews Enhance your interview skills with personalized online practice sessions. Participate in free job interview practice sessions designed to boost your confidence as a person who stutters. Get the job you want and deserve with tailored feedback and expert guidance. LEARN MORE Full Disclosure Inspiring career advice from a successful professional who stutters. Discover valuable career insights and advice from Carl Coffey, a professional who has overcome challenges to build a thriving career. His experience will inspire and guide you to navigate your professional journey. LEARN MORE Professional Resources Build a supportive work environment. Create an inclusive and supportive workplace. Explore our professional resources, packed with valuable insights and strategies. Share this information to educate employers, allies, and listeners about stuttering. LEARN MORE Recorded Webinars Learn how to make a bigger impact at work as a person who stutters. Access recorded webinars with insights and strategies to help you excel professionally while embracing your unique strengths. Discover how to turn challenges into opportunities. LEARN MORE For Employers 1 in 100 people stutter That means employers will likely encounter people who stutter (PWS) in the workplace. Employers should not overlook the skills and talents of PWS and instead offer paths towards promotion and potential leadership roles. LEARN MORE Real Stories of Success Meet individuals who stutter and have achieved remarkable career success. Find inspiration in their stories and learn from their experiences. VIEW ALL CAREER PROFILES Steve Ernst Learn about Steve’s story VIEW PROFILE Madison Nichols Learn about Madison’s story VIEW PROFILE Leigh Gaston Learn about Leigh’s story VIEW PROFILE Explore Resources From Awareness to Action: How NSA Programs Make a Difference It’s one thing to talk the talk. It’s quite another to walk the walk. We don’t just raise awareness about stuttering. We create real change. From NSA Chapters and virtual meetups to youth programs, workplace advocacy, and groundbreaking research, our initiatives are helping people who stutter and their families thrive. This article takes you inside our programs that move the needle! Owning Your Voice in Fast-Paced Industries You don't need to speak quickly or flawlessly to succeed in fast-paced, high-communication fields like PR, media, or sales. Learn how people who stutter are reshaping expectations and leading with authenticity. Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace: A Guide for People Who Stutter Explore strategies for helping people who stutter communicate effectively in the workplace, advocate for their needs, and build confidence. Inspire Others with Your Journey Celebrate your career milestones! Share your journey and inspire others in the stuttering community. SHARE YOUR STORY Be Part of a Thriving Community The WeStutter@Work LinkedIn Group is a vibrant community of professionals who stutter, mentors, and allies committed to supporting each other’s career growth. By joining our LinkedIn group, you'll gain access to exclusive materials and a supportive network that understands your unique experiences. Let’s achieve career success together! JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Expand Your Skills and Network Join our upcoming events and workshops designed to support your professional growth. No events at the moment

Join the Huntington/Marshall U. - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Huntington/Marshall U. - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - West Virginia State Welcome to the Huntington/Marshall U. 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 & Virtual 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? Monthly meetings are held virtually, and in-person events are held quarterly around the Huntington area. When? Virtual monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. In-person events are also held quarterly. Please contact the Chapter Leaders for more information and to join our mailing list! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Emmalee Moles & Jamie Maxwell Chapter Leaders Get in touch! MUNSAFamily@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? Our network of local chapters are powerful spaces where you can connect directly with your local stuttering community. We have both Adult Chapters and Family Chapters — there really is something for everyone! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People who stutter (of all ages), their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone with a special interest in stuttering are welcome at our chapters! Do I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Some of our NSA local chapters are meeting virtually - you can join them from wherever you are! On our chapter locator page, search by meeting type and look for hybrid and virtual chapters! Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for information on joining their meeting. 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 Taylor Worsham, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Taylor Worsham Community Manager & Communications Coordinator Taylor is a lifelong person who stutters and has spent most of her life doing everything she could to hide it. Even as a student, she was too afraid to raise her hand to ask to use the restroom, so she stopped drinking water altogether during the day. She attended speech therapy for years as a child and again as an adult in 2023, where she ran into the same fluency-first approach. That same year, she found the NSA and learned about covert stuttering, a term that finally gave language to what she had been navigating for years. These experiences, which once made her feel broken and ashamed, now fuel her passion for raising stuttering awareness and drive her work at the NSA every day. As our Community Manager & Communications Coordinator, Taylor keeps the conversations going across our social platforms. She manages social interactions, writes almost all of our copy (think social, email, and website), and helps ensure our digital presence feels as welcoming as the community behind it. On our marketing team, she’s affectionately known as the Copy Queen—a title she wears proudly. She’s actively working on being more overt and accepting of her stutter, a journey that will probably last a lifetime. She remains deeply close with her family and is immensely grateful for their unconditional love and support. She currently lives peacefully in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her beloved cat, where she balances cold winters with the warm NSA community.

Join the Visalia - Kids stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Visalia KIDS CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Visalia Kids 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? Kids 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? Visalia Hearing Center 2316 W. Whitendale Ave #A Visalia, CA 93277 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Stacy Patterson Chapter Leader Get in touch! spattersonnsa@gmail.com 559-303-2846 - 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? Our network of local chapters are powerful spaces where you can connect directly with your local stuttering community. We have both Adult Chapters and Family Chapters — there really is something for everyone! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People who stutter (of all ages), their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone with a special interest in stuttering are welcome at our chapters! Do I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Some of our NSA local chapters are meeting virtually - you can join them from wherever you are! On our chapter locator page, search by meeting type and look for hybrid and virtual chapters! Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for information on joining their meeting. 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

Learn how Zac Rankin,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Tax Managing Director Zac Rankin Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Tax Managing Director, I’m in charge of dozens of clients and professional staff. I manage all my client’s projects, ensure client work gets done, call clients to update project status, and field calls from clients about consulting work. In addition to my client work, I also manage our professional staff. This includes checking-in with them on projects, career development discussions, helping employees with technical work or other issues, and occasionally helping with personal issues. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is the constant social interaction. A day does not go by when I’m not spending a large part of my day speaking with people. Most of the time the people I speak with already know I stutter. But, I get calls from clients or from new staff who don’t know. I try to disclose, but this doesn’t always happen. It’s very draining day after day to be so conversational even when I don’t want to be – especially when I’m having disfluent days. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers, clients and or customers? I did not self-disclose during my job interviews. Unfortunately, I was ashamed of my stuttering and it showed. I was turned away from every job interview with public accounting firms. It wasn’t until my last interview, with BDO USA, which I still work for 12 years later, that I owned my speech. I persevered and wasn’t going my stutter hold me back from getting the job I wanted. Today, I make a point of bringing up my stutter during first encounters with people. During interviews for new staff, I open with the same thing, “Hi my name is Zac. First off, I want to let you know that I am a person who stutters. If I say anything you may not clearing hear then please ask me to repeat myself.” Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I spend a lot of my time listening. It helps make our professional staff at BDO USA feel valued and listened to, and I’m better equipped to help them by listening more. This helps with clients as well because I can hear what their concerns are and be able to better assist them. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I have two proud moments. First, was giving a two-hour presentation to a client’s Board of Directors. This was the first presentation I gave to such a high-level audience. I practiced for hours the night before and started to psych myself out; but, I did a great job with minimal disruptions. Second, was being nominated to be a Tax Partner in the Anchorage BDO USA office. What are your long-term career aspirations? My ultimate goal is to thrive in the professional world as a person who stutters. When I was interviewing for jobs in public accounting, I was greeted with the typical reaction from firms because of my stutter. I was even told to not pursue public accounting because it requires too much talking. I strive to be an example for people who stutter that there are no limits in any professional and in life. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? You have tremendous value. Do not let your stutter limit the greatness you can achieve. Your voice is worth being heard, especially today when “social norms” are being challenged. Own your truth. Speak your truth.

< Back Courtney Abadiotakis Speaker Courtney Abadiotakis is a person who stutters and has been attending NSA conferences for the past 17 consecutive years. Stuttering since the age of 3, Courtney has found a supportive, extended family and life long friends through the NSA. Despite her stutter, Courtney is dedicated to communication and is fluent in sign language. She is happily married living in Florida with two great kids, Joey (4) and Sophia (2)! She loves to travel, exploring new places and cultures! Courtney holds degrees in Psychology and a masters in School Counseling, and aims to make a positive impact in people's lives! Finding the NSA changed Courtney's life allowing her to become the best version of herself! Previous Next

< Back Evan Jordan Speaker Evan Jordan is a graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and is a person who stutters. He enjoys participating in the stuttering community, and has been a co-chapter leader for the Lafayette NSA Chapter for the past year. He intends on pursuing a career in speech therapy and counseling using the experience he has gained through his own path to stuttering acceptance. In his free time, he likes to create, including drawing and working in landscaping. Previous Next

< Back Tracey Wallace Speaker Dr. Tracey Wallace is a long-time member of the NSA and past Adult Programs Chair. She was a covert stutterer until age 27 when she learned about Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS) which changed her life. Her journey since then has been one of self-discovery and challenging fears. Dr. Wallace is an Educational Audiologist in DC, and Co-Owner of Hennessy Creek Brewery in MD. She has been married for 33 years and has two adult children. Previous Next

Join the Duluth Adult/Teens stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Duluth Adult/Teens ADULT, TEENS CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS CENTRAL NORTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Minnesota State Welcome to the NSA Duluth Adult/Teens 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? Hybrid Meetings What age group can attend? Adult, Teens 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? Duluth, MN 55812 When? Meetings are held September through May on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30PM. Meetings are currently being held virtually. For details about meetings and for any other information, please contact the Chapter Leader. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Derrick Chapter Leader Get in touch! duluthstutters@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? Our network of local chapters are powerful spaces where you can connect directly with your local stuttering community. We have both Adult Chapters and Family Chapters — there really is something for everyone! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People who stutter (of all ages), their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone with a special interest in stuttering are welcome at our chapters! Do I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Some of our NSA local chapters are meeting virtually - you can join them from wherever you are! On our chapter locator page, search by meeting type and look for hybrid and virtual chapters! Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for information on joining their meeting. 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

Learn how Liz Helton,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Lead Teacher Liz Helton Cold Spring, KY Lead Teacher Learning Grove Briefly describe your daily job duties. Working with 2.5-6 year olds in a classroom setting. Preparing and performing lessons with the children. Talking and mentoring coworkers. Yearly conferences with parents, as well as daily check-ins. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. When I first started teaching I had the fear that once people heard my stuttering they would think I wasn’t capable of teaching their child. What are your long-term career aspirations? Maintaining my position in the agency! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I didn’t mention it during the hiring process, and I don’t mention it to coworkers or parents. I have had to explain it to children, “I was born this way and it doesn’t hurt. Thanks for being patient with me, because my mouth has to finish the word”. That’s usually all it takes. What is your proudest moment at your current company? We received a regional award for being the top preschool for the year. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I am more patient with people and understand of their difficulties What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Prove everyone wrong! You can succeed and grow in your career.

Learn how Gareth Walkom,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Founder, Entrepreneur Gareth Walkom Briefly describe your daily job duties. I develop virtual reality tools for speech disorders, speech and language pathologists, and researchers. Since 2015, I have been researching how virtual reality can be used as a tool within stuttering, explicitly understanding how virtual reality speaking situations can be used. My research has been featured on BBC News. Virtual reality is an incredibly powerful tool. We can create any scenario we like, control it in real-time, and stop it whenever we please. It is my absolute pleasure to have created withVR, a company that provides virtual reality speaking situations to those who need it the most. At withVR, each day is different for me. One day I could be programming the backend of my software, the next, I could be designing visual content or giving a talk at a conference. No matter what I do, I always find pride in doing it. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I live in the beautiful city of Ghent, Belgium, where Flemish is the first language. Even though nearly everyone can speak English, talking on the phone can sometimes be very difficult! How do you disclose your stutter, if at all, at work? It’s only me in the company and I am always very honest with myself. I used to self-disclose a lot; however, now, I very rarely do. I speak to others as if my stuttering is not something that I have to address. I do not see it as a problem, but I am also very open about it. If someone is confused about what’s going on, I get that, and I openly talk about my stutter and welcome any questions they have. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I am very fortunate to have turned my stuttering into something others can benefit from. I think about my stuttering and others who stutter all the time, always thinking about how I can change my tools for the greater good. My stuttering used to be a burden, a difficulty, and something I wanted to avoid at all costs. Now, if it weren’t for my stuttering, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have met all these exceptional individuals in the stuttering community. I wouldn’t have visited so many beautiful cities. I wouldn’t have this job. I’ve turned my stutter into my greatest asset. What is your proudest career moment? Going fully self-employed is a huge step and I am so happy that I have done it. Therefore, the moment that I created withVR on the 22nd October 2020 (International Stuttering Awareness Day!) is currently my proudest moment. What are your long-term career aspirations? I thrive on creating the most suitable virtual reality tools for speech disorders. To me, success is how many people you impact positively. I want to use my knowledge I have gained over the years and transfer it into something the people can benefit from. If I can enjoy what I do and impact others positively, it will make me eternally grateful, and that’s the only career success I’ll ever need. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Find something you’re passionate about, push for it with all your might, and make it your own. Your stutter may sometimes make you feel different, but it is what you do with this difference that defines your path. Who knows, maybe your stutter is your hidden key to your career success.

Learn how Glenn Foster,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Systems Analyst Glenn Foster Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a systems analyst at The MITRE Corporation which is a non-profit group of federally funded research and development centers. I work on projects supporting the Federal Aviation Administration modeling the National Airspace System, analyzing future bottlenecks at airports and performing benefits analysis for planned airspace and airports improvements. Our research products are briefings and technical reports. I have worked at MITRE for 21 years. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. As a person who stutters, I have always been extra anxious when delivering briefings. Giving briefings is an important part of my job where I communicate our work to an internal audience, federal sponsors, and sometimes at an aviation conference. My stuttering varies from day to day. I always try to take my time and say all that I want to say but it is challenging when there is a large audience. Over the years I have learned to be more open and accepting of my stuttering. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers? I did not self-disclose my stuttering during the job hiring process. Part of me now being more open about my stuttering is I’ve talked with my managers about it and they have been very supportive. My managers tell me I’m an effective communicator and that feels good. I sometimes “advertise” – disclose that I am a person who stutters – as I start to give a presentation. I often try to insert humor into my disclosure which relaxes me and seems to help the audience become more engaged. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I feel stuttering has helped me become a very good listener and that helps me be a good team member on projects because my listening skills translate into having an eye for detail. Also, I take extra pride in my briefings and spend more time preparing my slides and formulating a clear explanation of our projects. What is your proudest moment at your current company? (Does not have to be related to stuttering.) I joined Toastmasters to help me become more comfortable with my stuttering during presentations. I once entered a humorous speech contest in our Toastmasters club and won 3 rounds of competitions. The final round was in a large auditorium in front of 200 people. I didn’t place in the top 3 in that final round, but I was very proud to have gone through that experience. Throughout the contest rounds I found myself being more driven to win, rather than worry about my stuttering. That feeling was new to me and was only possible due to my avoidance reduction speech therapy. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am in the twilight of my professional career and thinking about retirement so my long-term aspirations are post-retirement. I have always loved spending time with children and hope to find a volunteer opportunity with them. Now that I am more open with my stuttering, I would also like to help children who stutter in some way. I have always enjoyed comedy and really enjoy working on my humorous speeches for Toastmasters so maybe I can continue that. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? I advise people to be as open as they can with their stuttering. I have found that my management has been very supportive when I have talked about my stuttering challenges and hopefully that would be true in most workplaces. Being open with your stuttering allows you to put more concentration on the content of the work and less on stuttering. I used to, and sometimes still do, attempt to speak while at the same time doing mental gymnastics trying to hide my stuttering. It can be exhausting! So, if you have an opportunity to disclose your stuttering from the beginning please do it. You can be an effective communicator and stutter at the same time.