Learn how Rivky Susskind,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Speech Language Pathologist Rivky Susskind Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am a speech and language pathologist. I evaluate and provide intervention for school age children in a special education environment who display challenges in the areas of speech and language. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. My biggest challenges as a PWS are communicating with parents and faculty in more formal contexts such as an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or parent teacher meetings or collaborative group meetings. I also have difficulty communicating with parents who are resistant to their child being seen by a person who stutters. Also, phone calls can often present a challenge because the listener cannot tell what’s going on with me on the other side of the line, and those silent moments can be all the more awkward. Do you self-disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers and clients? I often self-disclose that I stutter. I usually wait until a stuttering moment occurs and then say, “… by the way, I have a mild stutter, just letting you know, and actually it’s one of the big factors that got me into this field to begin with.” I then leave an open space for questions and try to convey that I’m comfortable talking about it. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. My stutter is part of what makes me a unique, brave, strong individual. In my more confident moments it serves as a strength and part of my “story.” Others around me also know that I am somewhat of an expert on the topic and they will come and ask me questions pertaining to a relative or friend of theirs who stutters. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I was extremely proud of myself when I overcame my fear of tackling parent teacher meetings over the course of my first few months at this school. It was one meeting after the next and quite daunting to keep facing parents and disclosing my stutter over and over in a short period of time. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Own who you are and go for what you want. Do not let society’s expectations and “norms” dictate what you can and cannot do. Go for it. Fail. Fail dozens of times and go for it again. Don’t stop pushing until you can say that you are doing what you want in life. It’s okay to not feel okay all the time. We are all human and stuttering can be a crazy uphill climb and struggle. But remember that your dreams and goals are important, and you have the gift of YOU to share with the world.

Meet Carl Coffey , a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Carl Coffey Content Creator Carl Coffey, a dedicated advocate and active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA), resides in Bowling Green, KY, with his wife Brittany and their lively household of four-legged companions. His journey with the NSA began in 2013, when he attended his first chapter meeting in Richmond, VA, his hometown. This pivotal moment marked the start of his commitment to fostering community and support for individuals who stutter. Professionally, Carl has built a strong career in program management and process improvement. His expertise lies in creating efficient systems and delivering impactful results, qualities that align with his ability to connect with and support others in meaningful ways. His background in improving processes has not only enhanced his professional life but also resonates in his contributions to the NSA and its mission. Outside of work, Carl is a passionate vinyl record collector, always on the hunt for unique finds to add to his collection. An avid pickleball player, he enjoys the camaraderie and competitiveness of the sport. Carl also has a deep appreciation for bourbon, spending time discovering new varieties and learning about the rich history of this iconic spirit. Whether in his professional endeavors, personal hobbies, or involvement with the NSA, Carl brings dedication, curiosity, and a warm sense of community to all he does. His story is a testament to the power of connection, both with people and passions, and his journey continues to inspire those around him.

< Back Spotlight on the Professional Relations Committee: Megan Young’s Journey as an Ally and Advocate The NSA community includes people who stutter and allies who stand beside them. Today, we’re spotlighting Megan Young, a powerful voice in the NSA’s Professional Relations Committee and someone who has built her career around supporting people who stutter. Megan joined the NSA in 2019 during her doctoral program at The University of Texas at Austin. “I wanted to get more connected with the stuttering community,” she recalls, “so I started attending the Austin Chapter meetings occasionally as an ally.” Since then, Megan has been involved with the NSA for 6 years, growing her professional work and personal connections. In 2023, she successfully defended her dissertation and earned her Ph.D. in speech, language, and hearing sciences—an achievement we celebrate with her! Megan now serves on the Professional Relations Committee, a group focused on building bridges between the NSA and the wider professional world—especially speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The committee provides resources, creates continuing education content, and advocates for greater SLP participation in the stuttering community. “We want every single SLP to know about the NSA,” Megan explains, “and to feel empowered to engage with our work and our members.” For Megan, the NSA has been more than a professional network—it’s been a transformative personal experience. "I’ve been involved with the NSA for 6 years, initially joining to connect with the stuttering community during my doctoral program. As someone who doesn’t stutter, I’m deeply humbled by how welcoming and vibrant this community is. It’s been an incredible journey that’s shaped my work as a clinician, researcher, and advocate.” Her message to anyone new to the NSA? “You won’t regret coming to your first event — you’ll be welcomed with open arms!” And when Megan isn’t making waves in research or outreach, she’s embracing a life full of creativity and nature. Get to know Megan: Favorite ice cream flavor: S’mores Beach, mountains, or desert? Mountains, always. Go-to karaoke song: "Dancing in the Dark" – Bruce Springsteen Favorite rewatch: The Sopranos Pets: Two cats—Uma and Tito Hidden talent: Painting and ceramics Dream vacation: Exploring Patagonia We’re so grateful to have Megan’s dedication, passion, and perspective on the team. Her work continues to elevate the NSA’s mission—and we’re lucky to have her. Thank you, Megan! Previous Next

Learn how Peter Loring,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Owner & Doctor of Audiology Peter Loring Briefly describe your daily job duties. own an audiology practice. I work with the hearing impaired to improve their communication and overall quality of life by improving their hearing. My staff includes 3 audiologists, 2 support staff, and a partnership with a physician. We see anywhere between 8 to 18 hearing-impaired patients a day. My practice does complete audiological evaluations for children and adults, tinnitus evaluations and treatment, and hearing aid evaluations and fittings. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Before I got into the audiology field, I worked as a musician as well as a soundman, so my ears were always important to me. In 2006, I suffered a sudden hearing loss, so, along with my stutter, I gained the increased ability to better empathize with patients. What is your proudest moment at your current company? When I’m paying attention to my fluency, my speech is slower, clearer, and more powerful. (I call it my “audiology voice”.) I’ve had many patients tell me that if everyone spoke the way I do, they wouldn’t need hearing aids. Every time I hear that, I smile a little wider inside as I’m being complimented for effective verbal communication by someone who can’t hear well. The irony is NOT lost on me at all. I guess that choosing the field I’m in is the best way to say that I LOVE a challenge. I’m also proud to help improve the lives of children. One of the things that is always impacted with untreated hearing loss in children is language in terms of acquisition and expressive language. For example, if you can’t hear English clearly, your ability to integrate it and repeat it can be compromised. This is why children who have a history of chronic ear infections tend to speak not as clearly. I’m giving children the ability to get to whatever their potential is as their hearing will not be an impediment anymore. It makes my chest puff out with pride knowing I’ve made someone’s life markedly better. What are your long-term career aspirations? The provider in me wants to help as many people as I can. The parent in me wants to be as busy as I can to be able to do more things for my child. The businessman in me wants to be as financially successful as I can so that when it is time to retire, I can sell my practice and live the good life with my family. 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 care more about your speech than anyone else you’ll meet in your life. Stay out of your own head and if you’re good enough to do the job, you’ll get the job and succeed at it.

Learn how Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Elementary School Principal Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith Briefly describe your daily job duties. I recently graduated with my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and am currently an elementary school principal in Joliet, Illinois. I talk to students, teachers, parent, and community members all day in an effort to improve student achievement and engagement at Carl Sandburg School. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I am quite good at being a covert stutterer. If I do stutter during an interview, I allow people to assume that it’s because I’m nervous even though I’m not. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. All of us are struggling with something deeply personal. Mine just happens to make its appearance when I open my mouth. After attending my first National Stuttering Association annual conference, I made a commitment to no longer be a covert stutterer. I’ve been open with my stuttering ever since. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I earned my doctorate degree at the end of my first year as a principal, which is typically the toughest year. My staff and students surprised me with a huge celebration, secretly inviting my whole family and my professors! My students made presentations and my staff presented me with a picture of the entire staff and student body! It was amazing! What are your long-term career aspirations? I want to continue to work as an educational leader, preferably as an education professor working with new teachers, specializing in trauma informed classrooms. 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 yourself. I used to think that my stutter was a curse, something to hide from everyone, including myself. I have since realized that my stutter is my greatest gift. It’s one of the things that makes me uniquely qualified to do what I do and that is to inspire children, educators, and families to do the impossible, whatever it may be for them. Some days, I feel I’ve done the impossible for myself.

The NSA Young Adults program offers support, resources, and connection for people who stutter ages 18–30. Find community and encouragement here. You’ve graduated high school…now what? You may be going to college or maybe starting a new job. You might move out of your parent’s house or may be hitting the road to do some traveling. But what about stuttering? How will it affect the choices you make? Will you allow it to hold you back from what you really want to accomplish? Stuttering is a part of who you are, but it should not dictate the decisions you make for your future as a young adult. The NSA has resources, written by college students and young adults, to help you best navigate this stage in your life. Young Adult Resources Transitioning To College Whether you are attending a college in your hometown or moving across the country, your life is changing in new and exciting ways. New teachers, new classmates, new friends, and new freedoms. And of course, new speech challenges Job Hunting and Interviewing The NSA is driven to improve the employment opportunities of people who stutter. Our WeStutter@Work program offers people who stutter-free career advice through webinars, practice job interviews, and career profiles. Connect with others who stutter online Our NSA Young Adults Facebook group is a closed, moderated space, open only to 20- and 30-somethings who stutter, and offers a safe environment to ask questions and bounce ideas on all things relevant to this stage of life. Being Your Best Advocate Being your best advocate is an important practice that helps to build confidence while promoting understanding and acceptance for yourself and stuttering in everyday life. Join a Local NSA Chapter The NSA provides a wide network of stuttering support groups that help people who stutter build self-confidence, practice speaking in a safe environment, socialize with others, and explore new ways to cope with stuttering. Speech Therapy as a Young Adult Whether you have years of experience or are considering attending for the first time, speech therapy as a young adult has a number of benefits. Learn More About Stuttering Finding My Voice, Building a Community: Codi Lamb’s Story Myths about Stuttering Causes of Stuttering Facts About Stuttering Stuttering Treatment Options What Is Stuttering?

< Back Elizabeth Minton’s Journey from Feeling Lost to Leading with Purpose When Elizabeth Minton developed an acquired stutter five years ago, she didn’t know where to turn. She felt isolated and uncertain—until she found the National Stuttering Association. “The NSA gave me a whole new community of amazing people and helped inspire me to become an SLP.” Now, four years into her involvement with the NSA, Elizabeth uses her experience to help others navigate their journeys. The NSA’s impact on Elizabeth has been both personal and professional. It opened doors, built friendships, and gave her the courage to chase a new dream: becoming an SLP. Elizabeth encourages new members to lean in with openness: “Be open to new friendships and new things.” And that spirit of courage has always been part of who she is. She was the first woman on her undergraduate university’s Ultimate Frisbee team—breaking barriers before she even knew she’d be helping others do the same in the stuttering world. Let’s get to know Elizabeth a little better: Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Birthday Cake Favorite movie to rewatch: The Emperor’s New Groove Karaoke go-to: Anything by Panic! At The Disco Tea lover: especially a good cup of English Breakfast Dream vacation: Italy We’re grateful for Elizabeth’s leadership, passion, and vulnerability. No matter how your journey with stuttering begins, there is always a place for you here—and a way to turn your story into strength. Previous Next

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.