Learn how Desiree Tracie Cole,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Actress/Singer/Dancer Desiree Tracie Cole Brandon, FL Actress, Singer & Dancer Briefly describe your daily job duties. I audition for musicals, plays, television, films, commercials, and voice overs. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Feeling as though I am not getting an opportunities just because of the way I speak. What are your long-term career aspirations? I would like to become a motivational speaker for people who stutter, as well as a disability-rights advocate for people with disabilities and communication disorders. I want to motivate everyone and let them know that stuttering is a gift and you can be anything you want to be in this world! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes! I tell people I have a stutter. I like to advocate for myself. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I was cast as Jane Banks (my first lead role ever!) in New Tampa Players/The Penguin Project’s production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I have more compassion and empathy towards others, and I believe that my stutter helps me to relate better to others that may stutter or other differing ability. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Just keep going and never give up. Don’t listen to people who are bringing you down, but rather to those who are bringing you up!

< Back Previous Carl Coffey Presenter 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. Next

< Back Previous Cameron Joyce Presenter Cameron Joyce is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and currently lives there with his wife, Avery, and works as a senior associate at JPMorgan. He studied economics and computer science at Wofford College and is pursuing a graduate degree in AI at UT Austin. He’s served on the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Young Adult Committee since 2022, leads the NSA Charlotte Chapter, and enjoys mentoring people who stutter, as well as mountain biking, beekeeping, and Formula 1. Next

Meet Ariel Sonn, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Ariel Sonn Director, Community and Engagement Ariel Sonn is the Director of Community & Engagement for the National Stuttering Association and has been part of the NSA community since 2015. A lifelong person who stutters, Ariel has grown from a hesitant young communicator into a fierce advocate for stuttering in the workplace. She previously led the WeStutter@Work Committee and continues to champion confidence, inclusion, and visibility for people who stutter at every career stage. Outside of the NSA, Ariel is a cybersecurity marketing professional and enjoys running, yoga, traveling, and spending time with her husband.

Join the LA/South Pasadena - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. LA/South Pasadena ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA LA/South Pasadena 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? 2596 Mission Street (corner of Los Robles and Mission) Suite #203 San Marino, CA 91108 When? Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Joe Bergren Chapter Leader Get in touch! josephbergren@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? 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

< Back Previous Stacey Dedering Presenter Stacey Dedering is a Human Resources professional in San Jose, California, and is the mother of 20-year-old twins and a cat named Eskie. She initially found the National Stuttering Association 15 years ago, but was working and had young kids, so it just wasn't the right time. About 3 years ago, she was looking for a connection with others who "get” stuttering and found the Women Connect group. She has attended the last two Annual Conferences. Next

Join the Miami - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Miami ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Miami 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 & 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? Florida International University – College of Nursing and Health Sciences Building (11200 SW 8 Street AHC3A-101) Miami, FL 33199 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday every month from 6:30PM – 8:00PM. Zoom link for hybrid meetings is available upon request. Meetings are not held during the summer. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Angela Medina & Anabel Augustin Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NSAMiami1@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? 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 Jolie Deitchman, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Jolie Deitchman Sisters Who Stutter Digital Marketing Coordinator Jolie Deitchman is the Digital Marketing Coordinator and Secretary of Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she supports digital storytelling, content coordination, and online engagement that amplifies the voices of girls and women who stutter. She is also an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) and a Teen Advisory Council (TAC) leader, advocating for inclusive, youth-centered spaces within the stuttering community. Jolie began stuttering at the age of three and has since grown into a confident advocate who uses her lived experience to help shape meaningful, relatable content for peers. In her marketing role, she contributes to social media planning, messaging, and community outreach, helping SWS connect with teens through authentic, empowering communication. A high school cheerleader, Jolie brings energy, creativity, and positivity into everything she does. She is passionate about representation, confidence-building, and using digital platforms to create connection and belonging. Outside of her advocacy and marketing work, Jolie enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with dogs, and indulging her love for Italian food. With her enthusiasm, empathy, and growing leadership skills, Jolie is helping strengthen the digital presence and impact of Sisters Who Stutter while inspiring other teens to use their voices—exactly as they are.

< 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

Join the Rochester - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Rochester ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - New York State Welcome to the NSA Rochester 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? Nazareth College – Smyth Hall Room #163 (4245 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14618) When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month (September to June) from 7:00PM – 8:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Rupert Johnson & Greg Feasel Chapter Leaders Get in touch! rjohnso2@naz.edu - - 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

< Back Previous Maria Shook Presenter Maria Shook is the proud mom of Ian Shook, a teen who stutters. The Shook family has been attending the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Annual Conferences since 2021 and are very thankful for the community of support the NSA provides. Maria is a native Delawarean who currently resides in Maryland and works for the Space Telescope Science Institute. Next

Join the Miami - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Miami FAMILY CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Miami 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? Hybrid Meeting 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? 12600 SW St, Suite 107, Miami, Florida, 33186 When? Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:15 PM, and alternate between in-person and virtual. Please contact the Chapter Leader for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Mabell Alcantara Vargas Chapter Leader Get in touch! mabell1994@gmail.com (305) 323-6335 - 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