Meet Danielle Werle, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Danielle Werle Research Committee Standing Member Danielle Werle, PhD, CCC-SLP serves as Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. Her research interests include the cognitive and linguistic contributions to stuttering across languages, mitigation of stereotype threat and stigma for individuals who stutter, and translation of research to evidence-based practice. In addition to research, at the Blank Center Danielle coordinates the clinical programming as well as the training of undergraduate and graduate student clinicians.

Join the Orange County, CA - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Orange County, CA - Adult ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Orange County Adult 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? 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? 800 S El Camino Real (Suite 218) San Clemente, CA 92672 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:00PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Randy Panzarino Chapter Leader Get in touch! randypanzarino@gmail.com (321) 604-5204 https://westutteroc.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 Bret Denning, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Bret Denning Seasoned Voices Committee Bret Denning is a relative newcomer to the National Stuttering Association, having attended his first NSA Annual Conference in 2025. Since then, he has been excited by the opportunity to become more involved in the stuttering community. Bret is a business development professional with a government contractor in the Washington, DC area. He and his wife, Angie, live in Northern Virginia. When the weather is warm, you can often find Bret out on a golf course, wandering the fairways and pretending he knows what he’s doing.

< Back Previous Gabriela Perez Presenter Founded in the summer of 2023, the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable environment for all people who stutter and advancing outreach and advocacy initiatives with the NSA. While stuttering unites us as a community, we recognize that intersectional identities, structural inequities, historical underrepresentation, and individual lived experiences shape how each person who stutters navigates life. Gabriela Perez is passionate about her identity as a person who stutters and is proud of her involvement in the NSA as the DEI Committee Leader. She currently works as a paralegal with the American Civil Liberties Union and will be starting at Harvard Law School in the fall. In her free time, she enjoys pilates, embroidery, and spending time with her family (two sets of twins) and pets. Next

Learn how Ariel Sonn,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Marketing Coordinator Ariel Sonn Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a marketing coordinator for a cybersecurity company, RackTop Systems. Since we’re still relatively small, my job duties range from event planning to digital ad creation to market research. I love that I can dabble in a little bit of everything. It’s a great place to learn what you enjoy best and focus on improving certain skills. It’s also a collaborative environment, which means there’s lots of opportunities to engage with others! As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is making a good first impression. I put a lot of pressure on myself to sound perfect when talking to individuals because I know how important first impressions are in an industry that’s exploding with business. Everyday I’m working on incorporating my stutter into the idea of a great first impression. It’s definitely a work in progress! 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 during the interview process. We discussed flex time, so I mentioned that on Wednesdays I attend speech therapy because I’m a person who stutters and would need to fit my schedule around that. It went super well, and my boss was very understanding and supportive. I currently self-disclose to my colleagues by mentioning that I’m going on vacation to attend the National Stuttering Association Conference in July, or by mentioning that I have to leave work a few minutes early to make it to speech therapy. I like to incorporate advertising into the existing conversation because it feels much more natural! It also invites follow up questions from the audience, which is nice. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering makes me value good communication SO much. And good communication doesn’t just mean fluent speech. Saying what you want to say, when you want to say it, is critical when working in a fast-paced startup environment. Listening to what others are saying is also very important because it allows you to understand what the common goal is and how you can contribute to it. Because of my stutter, I have excellent communication and listening skills that allow me to provide and reciprocate valuable ideas. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Since starting this new job, I’ve looked at this as an opportunity to “start fresh” and show people that I’m a confident communicator despite having a stutter. With this attitude, I’m able to actually show my stutter and feel less embarrassed and ashamed. I have a bunch of little moments that I’m really proud of, such as moments where I showed stuttering without feeling embarrassed, and moments where I had a more personal conversation about what it’s like having a stutter. It’s the little, daily victories that mean the most to me right now! What are your long-term career aspirations? I love working in marketing because the landscape is always changing. There are endless learning opportunities. One day in the future, I’ll be in an executive position where I’m responsible for creating a highly successful and impactful brand strategies for a company. If I can look at my work and say that I helped grow a company from a startup to an industry leader, then I will have reached my career goals! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Be confident in your abilities. Your stutter, your age, your background, etc. doesn’t affect your abilities as long as you are confident in yourself. We’re living in a society where speaking up is more valued than ever, so don’t be afraid to assert yourself into something if you know you can provide value.

Join the Philadelphia - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Philadelphia ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - Pennsylvania State Welcome to the NSA Philadelphia 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? 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? La Salle University St Benilde Tower - Room 2002 5540 East Wister Street Philadelphia, PA 19144 When? 1st Thursday of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Online only 3rd Wednesday of the month (approx.), 7:00 - 8:30 PM - Hybrid: In person at La Salle University and online. Note: in person meetings are subject to La Salle University's availability during the school terms Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Carmen Shapiro Chapter Leader Get in touch! PhillyNSA@gmail.com - https://www.facebook.com/PhillyStutters/ 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 Angela Medina, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Angela Medina Research Chair Dr. Angela Medina is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She earned her PhD in Applied Language and Speech Sciences from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she also completed her coursework for certification as a speech-language pathologist. Since 2015, she has served as the NSA Miami Chapter Leader. Dr. Medina has published and presented her research nationally and internationally on stuttering in Hispanic, Latino/-x, and Spanish-English bilingual communities. Her research interests include the stuttering experiences of adults, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, mindfulness, and qualitative research methods. Her hobbies include baking and gardening with twin daughters, playing fantasy football, running, and practicing archery. She is a loyal New Orleans Saints fan and music trivia enthusiast. Term began February 2021

Learn how Will Nading,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Infrastructure Leader - Water Design Center Will Nading Briefly describe your daily job duties. We work primarily with municipal clients to plan, design, and rehabilitate drinking water and wastewater facilities. My focus area is on wastewater collection and drinking water distribution systems. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is maintaining focus and staying organized. I wouldn’t say my speech necessarily adds significantly to the challenge. Some days are better than others from a fluency perspective, but that would be the case with or without the job. 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 bring it up during the hiring process during one of our conversations. I will discuss it if I feel it is a relevant thing to discuss, but I don’t believe it always is relevant to me these days. So, it is a case by case thing for me. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think stuttering has shaped many positive aspects of my personality and professional performance. I have learned how to be patient and to listen, which has resulted in a better ability to synthesize and summarize information. It has also made me more resilient and determined. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I’m proud to have taken the initiative to advance my career and get the job. Also, being a presenter at industry conferences. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am a “see where the road leads me” kind of person. I want to constantly try to improve on yesterday, but I don’t pretend to know where that will eventually take me. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Focus on being a good communicator. (Communication means more than talking.) If you are clear, thoughtful, organized, and professional in your communication with others you will be successful.

Join the Boston - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Boston Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Massachusetts State Welcome to the NSA Boston 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? Location may vary around the Boston area. When? Quarterly meet-ups happen around the Boston area. Please contact the Chapter Leaders for information! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Sarah Onofri, Liz Gomez & Lisa Greenleaf Chapter Leaders Get in touch! BostonStutters@gmail.com - http://www.bostonstutters.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! "My first NSA Boston gathering as a teen changed how I saw my stutter—I finally heard others stutter too. After attending the 2021 NSA Conference, I went from seeing my stutter as my enemy to seeing it as something I could live with." ---Ethan Gioscia "The NSA Boston Chapters gave me true belonging. I found people who feel like family—who check in, cheer me on, and make me feel seen. Parents and fellow adults became the strongest supporters of my voice. My growth began the moment I found this group." ---Michèle Ayoub "I didn't know what to expect from my first NSA Boston event. I just knew I wanted my son to see other people who stutter and find community. Turns out that I needed this community just as much! Driving home, my son said seeing other people who stutter for the first time made him feel 'alive.'" ---Dolla Seng

< Back Previous Amir Hossein Rasoli Jokar Presenter Amir Hossein Rasoli Jokar is a PhD student at Michigan State University, working under the supervision of Dr. J. Scott Yaruss. His work focuses on stuttering variability and how it should be addressed in assessment and treatment. He has published multiple papers in leading journals, including the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and the Journal of Fluency Disorders, exploring topics such as caregiver perspectives, bilingualism, and the impact of stuttering variability. Amir Hossein has also contributed to NIH-funded projects and has been recognized with the National Stuttering Association’s Graduate Research Award (2025-2027). Next

Meet Alicia Vasquez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Alicia Vasquez DEI Committee Alicia Vasquez is a proud Latina woman with a stutter who has been actively involved with the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2022. Growing up as a Latina with a stutter in a predominantly white community shaped Alicia’s unique perspective and fueled her passion for fostering awareness, inclusion, and diversity in every space she occupies. Her experiences have driven her to advocate for representation and understanding, particularly within the stuttering community. Alicia’s dedication to amplifying diverse voices and creating inclusive environments makes her a natural fit for her new role within the NSA’s diversity initiatives. She is excited to bring her lived experiences and passion to this new committee, working collaboratively to take the NSA’s commitment to diversity and representation to the next level. Her goal is to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and empowered within the NSA community. Beyond her advocacy work, Alicia enjoys connecting with others, sharing her story, and inspiring meaningful change. Her efforts highlight the importance of intersectionality and the strength that comes from embracing one’s identity. Alicia’s contributions are helping to build a stronger, more inclusive future for the stuttering community and beyond.

Meet Amber Toerien, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Amber Toerien Marketing Director Amber Toerien has been part of the NSA community since 2023, bringing passion and dedication to her role as Marketing Director. Living with high-functioning autism, Amber’s connection to the NSA is deeply personal and natural. She champions the NSA’s mission by leading impactful digital campaigns that amplify awareness and support for people who stutter. Amber believes in showing up for yourself and says, “The support and connection you’ll find here can be life-changing.” When she’s not championing the NSA mission, you’ll find Amber reimagining interior spaces, taking long beach walks with her dogs, or belting out “Jolene” at karaoke nights.