Meet Linus Simner, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Linus Simner Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Linus is a senior in high school and enjoys playing baseball. In his free time, Linus enjoys volunteering at dog shelters. He has an avid passion for dogs and all things animals. Linus is excited to be on the TAC.

Learn how Brendan Mahoney,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Registered Nurse Brendan Mahoney Richmond, VA Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Registered Nurse Virginia Department of Health Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an occupational health nurse with the Virginia Department of Health, I oversee the health and wellness of all VDH employees. As we are coming out of the pandemic, many VDH employees have neglected their health needs over these 2+years. I am happy to serve these VDH employees and to assess/gauge their needs. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Presentations are always a challenge. Thankfully I feel empowered with the confidence instilled in me by my team and supervisor, which are vital in any employment situation. Phone calls are always a daily challenge, but they become easier the more I do them and in the context of the call, the level of difficulty/stress is proportional to the topic. (i.e. discussing a general topic being easier and being questioned by a superior on a possible performance issue being more challenging). What are your long-term career aspirations? I have been in the nursing field for 16 years. It has been my professional goal to be an occupational health nurse, so I feel blessed to be in this position, as it’s taken me a good portion of my nursing career to reach this position. My next step is to start studying for board certification in occupational health nursing. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did during my interview process and when I first met my supervisor. I also addressed it in our first staff meeting. I feel it’s an ice breaker, as it allows everyone to be comfortable. I also explained that there is not a need to help with or finish my words or sentences while I speak. This way, it’s out on the open, there’s no questions, and everyone can be at ease. Lastly, I offer to answer any questions they may have in the future about my stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Being in the position as a professional resource for VDH employees for health and wellness. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. It makes me more determined and resilient when facing problems, challenges, and obstacles in the workplace. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Stutterers should focus on their strengths, as anyone would. Speaking may not be one of them, and that is nothing to be ashamed of, as I’m sure some non-stutterers may have the same weaknesses.

< 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

Meet Arnee Gomez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Arnee Gomez Secretary Arnee Gomez is a person who stutters and has been a member of the NSA since 1996. Based in Seattle, she has often shared her experience as a panelist for speech-language pathology students at the University of Washington, as well as with parents of children who stutter at NSA family workshops. Professionally, Arnee brings over 25 years of leadership experience in Human Resources, where she has partnered closely with business leaders to drive organizational success and foster inclusive, supportive workplace cultures. As a leader and person who stutters, she has a passion to ensure all voices are heard. She’s honored to serve in an NSA leadership role and support the organization’s mission of support, education, and empowerment. Arnee has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.B.A. from the University of Washington. Originally from Southern California, Arnee has called Seattle home for several years. She is an avid runner who loves hitting the road and trails with friends. She draws daily inspiration from her husband and their two young adult daughters, who motivate her to be her best self. Term began April 2025

< Back Erica Perez: A Wolverine at Heart, an NSA Supporter for Life If you've been to one of our Annual Conferences in the past two decades, there's a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Erica Perez, or at least seen her helping things run smoothly behind the scenes with her signature calm. Erica first got involved with the NSA in 2002, back when our office was in Anaheim. “I was hired to help answer phones,” she says, “and helped at the Nashville conference. After that I came back to the Conference almost every year.” And she's been coming back nearly every year since. Erica doesn’t stutter, but the community she found here is what keeps her showing up. “As someone who doesn't stutter, I have come to love many of these people and I will always consider them family.” The NSA hasn’t just changed how Erica spends her Fourth of July week, it’s also changed how she listens. “I have never been a person who has a lot of patience, but I have learned to step back, listen and really hear what someone is saying, both literally and figuratively.” Family is a big part of Erica’s world. Her parents, Jim and Lee, have worked the NSA store for years, and her husband Aaron and kids, Lily and AJ, have grown up as part of the conference crew. It’s a family affair in the truest sense. Erica’s advice for newcomers? Get involved. “There is truly a group for everyone, whether it is your local Chapter or our amazing groups online. You never have to say anything but listen. You will eventually be the person leading a group or a workshop.” She may not karaoke, but she’s always game for peanut butter and chocolate ice cream and dreams of someday visiting Tahiti or Maui. From answering phones in Anaheim to helping build a movement, Erica’s story reminds us that stuttering touches more than just the person who stutters, it brings people together. And sometimes, it brings you family. Previous Next

Learn how David Alpuche,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Photographer/Entrepreneur David Alpuche Briefly describe your daily job duties. I own and run two businesses. I have a photography business specializing in weddings, portraits and fine art photography. And two years ago, I launched a line of photography inspired yoga mats, under the brand “Dream Yoga Mats.” As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job was deciding to go for it. I’ve long known that I was a good photographer, but my stutter scared me from having to talk to clients, having to introduce myself over and over and again, and having to run a business by myself. I didn’t think clients would be comfortable talking to me or that they would take me seriously. It took me years of worrying about it to understand that as a photographer I have the luxury of my work doing the talking for me, and while interviews and first impressions are important, at the end of the day if my work is good (and it is) I shouldn’t worry that much. I still struggle during client interviews, but I am more comfortable now than I was when I started. As far as the yoga mat business, I didn’t have the hesitation I had with the photography, but I also didn’t consider how much talking would be involved in trying to sell a product to a mass market. I still struggle and I don’t think I’m the best salesman, but I still put myself out there. I have auditioned twice for Shark Tank with my Dream Yoga Mats and even though I haven’t been selected yet, I was proud of both my auditions. Do you self-disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting clients? My stutter is so severe that I really have no choice when it comes to talking about it. I have found out that bringing it up immediately when I talk to clients works best, because that way they don’t worry about what is going on and I allow them to focus on my work. I have become so good at it that I have an arsenal of jokes or stories to tell when I disclose, and I can immediately see how the clients feel more comfortable after. They get where I’m coming from and that creates a connection right away. Plus, I think stuttering makes me memorable and that is an asset when it comes to competing for clients. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I firmly believe that the reason I am a good photographer is directly related to stuttering. Ever since I was a kid, I was very good at visual arts, first with drawing, then painting and eventually leading me to photography. Communicating visually allowed me to tell stories without words, learning how to transmit emotions and use color to say exactly what I wanted to say. Stuttering also taught me to be patient, and with photography sometimes you need a lot of patience to capture exactly the moment you want. What is your proudest moment so far in your career? Creating a line of yoga mats made me extremely proud as it was the first time I went from an idea to prototyping to making my product real. I had zero experience in this kind of business but after a few google searches, tons of patience, lots of mistakes, and a lot of friendly support, I got it started. The business is still in its infancy, but I am very proud of the road traveled so far. Having the courage to audition for Shark Tank twice was also a proud moment because it forced me to become a salesman in front of an audience, and while I think it could’ve gone way better, just being there was enough of a confidence boost (and success) in my eyes. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

Learn how Anabel Augustin,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Youth Case Manager Anabel Augustin Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Youth Case Manager, I link the families that I work with to resources and services they need. I advocate for my families at school, court, medication management and with anything else they may need. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job for me is speaking in meetings and during court cases. 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 self-disclose my stuttering during the job hiring process. Before starting my formal interview for the job that I was applying for, I told the interviewer, “Before we start this interview, I wanted to let you know that I stutter which means that I sometimes block, repeat words or speak slowly to achieve my level of fluency and to not speak for me.” By self-disclosing, I was able to feel more comfortable, more confident and I did not need to rush because I was able to say exactly what I wanted to say, how i wanted to say it with blocks and all. From my first meeting with my coworkers, I self-disclosed and explained to them how I stutter because so many people stutter differently, and I am always trying to spread awareness about stuttering. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering makes me a better, more valued contributor at work because I am a better listener, and I am educating others about people who stutter in meetings, at court and in school settings. I am also trying my best to spread awareness about stuttering and lessening the public stigma about stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moment is when a family I was helping was able to obtain all the resources they needed and because of my assistance, they were able to provide for their family because a parent got a job. What are your long-term career aspirations? My long-term career aspiration is to be a speech-language pathologist and help children and other people who stutter. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? My advice is to stutter with power and self-disclose about your stuttering because the reason people look at individuals who stutter weirdly, chuckle, try to change the subject, and also speak for them is because many people don’t know people stutter and that people stutter differently. Self-disclosing informs them of what’s going on and because they know, the interviewer or coworker will be more patient and understanding. Don’t ever apologize for stuttering — speak freely and proudly!!!

Meet Jeffrey Dale, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Jeffrey Dale Information Technology Jeffrey Dale is a dedicated supporter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA), leveraging his expertise in information technology to meet the organization's needs. With a passion for using technology to make a positive impact, Jeffrey has been working with non-profits since 2015, bringing innovative solutions and reliable support to mission-driven organizations like the NSA. An alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, Jeffrey combines his technical skills with a deep appreciation for community engagement. His commitment to helping the NSA reflects his belief in the power of connection and the importance of providing resources for people who stutter. Now based in Colorado, Jeffrey finds inspiration in the beauty of the mountains. In his free time, he enjoys hiking through scenic trails, snowboarding on snowy peaks, and capturing stunning landscapes through photography. His adventurous spirit and creative eye complement his professional expertise, making him a valuable contributor to the NSA's mission. Jeffrey is proud to support the NSA and its community, helping to ensure that its technological needs are met with care and efficiency. His dedication to empowering others through his skills embodies the values of collaboration and service that drive the NSA forward.

Learn how John Moore,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Marketing Consultant & Keynote Speaker John Moore Briefly describe your daily job duties. Following spending a decade as a marketing manager with Starbucks and later as the director of national marketing for Whole Foods Market, I’m now a self-employed marketing consultant. I work with a variety of clients developing ideas for how the business/organization can better design products and programs to make an impact. Interestingly, I routinely give keynote presentations at marketing conferences. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone continues to be difficult for me. Anytime I have to call someone out of the blue, I feel all the pressure and anxiety that comes with being a person who stutters. How do you currently disclose your stuttering to co-workers, clients and or customers? As a conference keynote speaker, I always disclose my stuttering at the start of each presentation. I find that letting people know early on that I stutter helps to endear myself to the audience. I also find people pay more attention to my presentation because I must have something important to say otherwise why would I choose to be so vulnerable on stage. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering has forced me to be a better written communicator. Added to that is a “perfectionist” streak within me that makes me be very detail-oriented. This helps me when writing emails, proposals, presentations and business books. What’s your best advice for people in a career striving to achieve greater success? For people in a career, strive to be the most knowledgeable person in your company about something important. In other words, become a subject matter expert in something. You could be the go-to person for how to use pivot tables in Excel or the person with the most knowledge about a product line your company sells. Co-workers will come to you asking for help and that makes you an indispensable employee who is better positioned for future promotions.

Meet Lydia Webb, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Lydia Webb Young Adults Committee Lydia Webb (20 years old) is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the NSA’s Young Adult Council. In her teen years, she served on the Teen Advisory Council and grew so much through that opportunity. Lydia is currently a Junior at Liberty University in Virginia, studying American Sign Language Interpreting with minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She has been regularly attending NSA conferences for the past 9 years and barely remembers her life without NSA. She is so excited to grow and get to know more people in her stamily

Learn how Glenn Karwoski,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Managing Director and Adjunct Professor Glenn Karwoski Minneapolis, MN Managing Director & Adjunct Professor Karwoski & Courage Public Relations and University of St. Thomas Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am the founder and managing director of a public relations agency that works with Fortune 500 companies including 3M, Walmart, and others. Duties include managing staff, client planning and presentations, new business development. As an adjunct professor in the marketing department at the University of St. Thomas I teach two courses, one at the graduate level on creativity and one of the undergraduate level on integrated marketing communications. Duties include lectures, in-class workshops, grading, and mentoring students. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. On days when my disfluency is more severe it can be challenging talking to people and getting my ideas across. I’m sometimes concerned if the person/people I’m talking with are more focused on my disfluency versus what I’m communicating. What are your long-term career aspirations? I’m continuing to grow the agency and I plan to continue teaching and hopefully do some primary research and writing on the subject of creativity and aging. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did not disclose it because at that time in my life my fluency was near normal. It’s been in the past eight years that my disfluency has come back and has been more challenging. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Teaching people how to tap into their creativity and realize that we’re all creative beings, and then having former students contact me and share how they’ve used what they learned in my course. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think it makes me more thoughtful and deliberate about what I want to communicate. I’ve become a more succinct writer because I’m a more succinct speaker. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Don’t be afraid to share that you stutter. I tried to hide the fact when I entered the workforce in the early 1980s but realized throughout the years that the vast majority of people aren’t going to judge you solely based on your speech but more on the quality of your ideas and overall work.

Learn how Jaymie Horak,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Human Resources Analyst Jaymie Horak Briefly describe your daily job duties. My primary responsibility is to assist with administering our health and wellness benefits to our 1,300 employees. This looks like phone calls, checking emails, building and running reports, leading new hire orientations, meetings with health and wellness carriers, and training co-workers. I am also assigned our largest recruitment for an operations position, so I review those applications and onboard new employees. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The moments of misunderstanding. I answer the phone, stutter on my name, and the other person awkwardly laughs or asks me if I forgot my name. They’re minor infractions compared to the way my stutter used to limit me but staying positive in those moments is certainly a challenge. It is also difficult when I am learning something new, or doing something I haven’t done before, because I get nervous that my stuttering will make it seem like I lack confidence or knowledge. How supported at work do you feel by your co-workers, supervisor(s) and the company itself? I feel very supported. I was very lucky to have an incredible first supervisor when I was in Payroll, and when I mentioned my stuttering to her, she told me that she supported me and that if I ever needed her help, she’d take care of anyone who was rude to me. She enabled me to sit at the front desk, and answer telephone calls regularly. Before this experience, I was too terrified to answer the phone. I no longer experience fear picking up the ringing phone at work. (A true miracle.) My supervisors since have also made it clear that they are impressed with my work ethic and intelligence, and that they would stand behind me if anyone used my stuttering to try to tease me. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think stuttering helps people actually feel more comfortable around me. Perhaps not in the initial moment, but once they realize what is going on. There is a vulnerability that exists that makes the other person realize they don’t need to be perfect when they communicate with me. Working in HR has the ability to seem very intimidating, especially when I am recruiting new hires for their first job. But my stutter seems to give them (a potentially false) sense of comfortability and security, which I think is helpful. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Disclose, disclose, disclose. When you are able to disclose your stutter with confidence, the other person has no choice (unless they’re a huge jerk) to accept your stutter and realize it has nothing to do with your intelligence, proficiency, or confidence. The more we are comfortable with our own stuttering, the more others will be. People can catch onto our emotions and internal stress. They can also catch onto our confidence and peace of mind.