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Be inspired by career success stories from people who stutter. Learn how they’ve overcome challenges and achieved their goals. National Stuttering Association Annual Conference 2026 Meet the Voices Shaping This Year’s Conference The NSA Annual Conference 2026 brings together one of the most diverse and inspiring groups of speakers in the stuttering community. From people who stutter, parents, teens, clinicians, educators, researchers, advocates, and allies, our speaker lineup reflects the many voices, stories, and perspectives that make this conference unlike any other. Whether you are attending your first conference or returning as part of your annual tradition, these sessions are designed to inform, challenge, uplift, and connect. Why Our Speakers Matter At the NSA Conference, speakers are more than presenters. They are community members sharing real experiences, practical tools, lived insight, and professional expertise. You’ll hear from: People who stutter sharing honest life experiences Speech-language pathologists bringing evidence-based guidance Parents and family members offering support perspectives Teen and young adult leaders creating space for the next generation Researchers exploring what’s next in the field Advocates helping shift culture, confidence, and inclusion Spotlight Speakers Abhishek Agarwal Gina Waggot Alyssa Kalwasinski DM Forker What to Expect Across 3.5 days of programming, speakers will lead sessions on topics such as: Confidence and communication Workplace advocacy and leadership Parenting and family support Therapy approaches and treatment insights Teen identity and belonging Mental health and resilience Relationships and dating Media representation and storytelling Research updates Chapter growth and community leadership View Full Conference Schedule Conference Presenters Abhishek Agarwal View Bio Ana Hernandez View Bio Annie Bradberry View Bio Ashleigh Givens View Bio Brittney O'Neal View Bio Cathy Olish-Maciejewski View Bio Chloe Swidler View Bio DEI Committee View Bio David Potts View Bio Dustin Linkins View Bio Elisha Boxer Magnifico View Bio Erika Mueller View Bio Gina Waggot View Bio Hazel Johnson View Bio Hope Gerlach-Houck View Bio Jacqueline Toscano View Bio Jess Kossack View Bio John Moore View Bio Julia Kerrigan View Bio Kaylee Tillman View Bio Landon Coffell View Bio Linus Simner View Bio Marci Post View Bio Matt Phillips View Bio Mike Gioscia View Bio Nicole Terhune View Bio Reagan Jesinkey View Bio Sarah D'Agostino View Bio Scott Yaruss View Bio Sisters Who Stutter View Bio Tatum Machnica View Bio Vivian Sisskin View Bio Adrienne McHenry View Bio Anabel Augustin View Bio Ariel Sonn View Bio Barry Shaul View Bio Caitney File View Bio Cha Holmes View Bio Christy Cazares View Bio DM Forker View Bio David Richards View Bio Edmund Metzold View Bio Elizabeth Minton View Bio Evan Jordan View Bio Haley Totherow View Bio Heather Sauer View Bio Ian Shook View Bio Jamie Oxendine View Bio Jessica Hudson View Bio John Tetnowski View Bio Julie Marshall View Bio Kelly Kaczmarski View Bio Lewis Post View Bio Lisa Lanham View Bio Maria Shook View Bio Maya Singal View Bio Molly Porzel View Bio Nihar Mahapatra View Bio Robb Hurt View Bio Sarah Onofri View Bio Sebastian Scala View Bio Stacey Dedering View Bio TAC View Bio Wendy Dietz View Bio Alyssa Kalwasinski View Bio Andrea Burcham View Bio Aryanna Tillman View Bio Ben Pahl View Bio Cameron Joyce View Bio Charles Black View Bio Courtney Abadiotakis View Bio Dana Koprowski View Bio Denise Deitchman View Bio Elaine Robin-Kruijd View Bio Emily Root View Bio Gabriela Perez View Bio Hayden Downs View Bio Helene Haus View Bio Isabella Pellom-Delucca View Bio Jennifer Downs View Bio Jia Bin View Bio Jolie Deitchman View Bio Kaela Coye View Bio Kerri Berard View Bio Lexi Hewitt View Bio Lucas Credeur View Bio Mark Haus View Bio Megan Young View Bio Molly Stevenson View Bio Pamela Mertz View Bio Ryleigh Bowers View Bio Sarah Sacco View Bio Shahriar SheikhBahaei View Bio Stacey Nierman View Bio Tom Lovett View Bio Will Nading View Bio Amir Hossein Rasoli Jokar View Bio Angela Grimm View Bio Ashish Gupta View Bio Bob Wellington View Bio Caryn Herring View Bio Chelsea Johnson View Bio Courtney Luckman View Bio Daniel Mittleman View Bio Doug Harris View Bio Eldon Solomon View Bio Enjoli Richardson View Bio Garrett McDevitt View Bio Hayley Stuckey View Bio Holly Nover View Bio J. Scott Yaruss View Bio Jeremiah Williams View Bio Joan Ross View Bio Joseph Abadiotakis View Bio Katie Winters View Bio Krystle Norsworthy View Bio Linda Gioscia View Bio Madeline Wahl View Bio Matt Mollo View Bio Michèle Ayoub View Bio Nayha Auradkar View Bio Ralph McRae Jr. View Bio Samantha Wasilus View Bio Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith View Bio Shelly Jo Kraft View Bio Tanya Banks View Bio Veronica Washington View Bio Zachary Schwabe View Bio Want to Speak at a Future Conference? The NSA values fresh voices and lived experience. If you have insight, a story, professional expertise, or a workshop idea that could benefit the community, future speaker opportunities will be announced through our website and Weekly Digest. Join Us in Charlotte The most powerful part of the conference is not only hearing speakers. It is realizing you are surrounded by people who understand. The Westin Charlotte July 1–5, 2026 Tickets are now open. Reserve your spot early. 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Join the Pittsford - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Pittsford FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - New York State Welcome to the NSA Pittsford Family Chapter! 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? Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY 14534 - Fletcher Steele Room When? Meetings alternate between the first Wednesday of the month and the first Saturday of the month from 4:00-5:00. Our first meeting is Wednesday, 6/3/2026! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Kathryn Metzler Chapter Leader Get in touch! kathrynmetzlerslp@gmail.com (610) 574-9837 - 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! There was a technical issue on our end. Try again or refresh. 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

< Back Previous Nayha Auradkar Presenter Nayha Auradkar is a person who stutters and co-leader of the “NSA Connects: Asians Who Stutter” group. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and currently works as a software engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about providing community and resources to people who stutter. In her free time, Nayha enjoys running, hiking, and anything outdoorsy. Next

< Back Previous Cathy Olish-Maciejewski Presenter Cathy Olish-Maciejewski is from Grosse Ile, Michigan, and works in Human Resources in the Executive Recruiting organization at Ford Motor Company. She is a covert person who stutters and has been a member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) for over 25 years. During this time, she served on the NSA Board of Directors for 7 years, was a Chapter Leader, and has led at least 60 workshops at NSA Conferences. She loves spending time with her husband and two boys, organizing, and photography. Next

< Back Previous Julia Kerrigan Presenter Julia Kerrigan, M.A., is a PhD student with Dr. Naomi Rodgers at the University of Iowa and Assistant Director of SPACE Community and Arts programming. Their research focuses on the cognitive, social, and emotional experience of stuttering, along with the clinical instruction of stuttering therapy. Next

< Back Previous Erika Mueller Presenter Erika Mueller, MA, is a second-year PhD student in the Spartan Stuttering Lab at Michigan State University. Her research interests broadly include public perceptions, normative beliefs and behaviors, and attitudes of stuttering. Next

< Back Previous Annie Bradberry Presenter Annie Bradberry is the past Executive Director of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) (1993-2003), former Board Member, and past Board Chair of the International Stuttering Association. During that time, Annie served on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders as the consumer representative. Continuing her passion for the stuttering community, she loves presenting workshops, providing in-service trainings to local universities and school districts whenever she can. Next

< Back Previous Elisha Boxer Magnifico Presenter Elisha Boxer Magnifico, MA, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Clinical Professor and speech-language pathologist with over 25 years of experience working with people who stutter. Their clinical background spans the US and abroad across school settings, multidisciplinary clinics, and private practice. Elisha is the creator and co-founder of Break the Blocks, an improvisation-based program running at Northwestern University. Their work blends improvisation with an ability-focused approach that supports the lived experience of stuttering while fostering communication confidence, spontaneity, and community. Elisha’s clinical and research interests include self-efficacy, community building, and the use of play and to foster communicative flexibility and freedom. Next

< Back Previous Ariel Sonn Presenter Ariel Sonn is a person who stutters and has been involved with the National Stuttering Association since 2015. Ariel’s stuttering journey has taken her from an angsty, incredulous kid to an outspoken and fierce advocate for the stuttering community. She is particularly passionate about helping people who stutter find and build confidence in the workplace. Ariel is the author of a stuttering and lifestyle blog and a member of the WeStutter@Work committee. Outside of the NSA, Ariel is a Creative Marketing Specialist and enjoys running, yoga, traveling, and makeup. Next

< Back Previous Jessica Hudson Presenter Jessica Hudson is a speech-language pathologist based in Arizona who has worked almost exclusively with people who stutter throughout her 13-year career. She is the owner of Stuttering & Speech Therapy of Arizona, a practice she founded 10 years ago to create a supportive, affirming space for individuals and families impacted by stuttering. Jessica is passionate about changing the narrative and reducing stigma surrounding stuttering. She holds the Ally of Stuttering Seal and previously served as a Chapter Leader in Phoenix. Outside of work, she loves traveling, working out, and taste-testing the tortillas made at her husband’s tortilla factory. Next

< Back Previous Gina Waggot Presenter Gina Waggott is a writer and former BBC professional with a career spanning broadcasting, journalism, and disability advocacy. She is a person who stutters and is active in several nonprofits serving the global stuttering community and its allies. She is the author of Scatman John: The Remarkable Story of the World's Unlikeliest Popstar. Next