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 Sebastian Scala Presenter Sebastian Scala is a nearly 40-year member of the National Stuttering Association. He is married to the love of his life, Mary, and has two wonderful children. He is the sole proprietor of a nearly 100-year-old cocktail lounge in San Francisco. He coaches youth sports, does lots of public speaking, and is an avid writer. He is also passionate about fitness and pursuing his best life. Next

< Back Previous Evan Jordan Presenter Evan Jordan is a graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and is a person who stutters. He enjoys participating in the stuttering community and is a Co-Chapter Leader for the National Stuttering Association Lafayette Chapter. He intends to pursue a career in speech therapy and counseling, drawing on the experience he has gained through his own path to stuttering acceptance. In his free time, he likes to create, including drawing and working in landscaping. Next

Join the National Stuttering Association’s “Where Are They Now” series by sharing your story as a past Graduate Student Research Award recipient. Highlight your achievements and how GSRA funding advanced your stuttering research career in accessible, community-friendly language. GSRA Recipient Spotlight: Your Research Journey The National Stuttering Association is collecting updates from past Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) recipients for our “Where Are They Now” series. These stories celebrate your achievements and show how GSRA funding supports the future of stuttering research. Please write your answers in in accessible, non-technical language so all of our community can understand the real-world impact of your work. About You First name* Last name* Your title* Email* Your place of employment * About Your GSRA Experience What year did you receive the GSRA, and what was the focus of your project?* How did GSRA funding support your work at that stage? (e.g., data collection, travel to conferences, equipment, etc.)* Did receiving the award open any doors for you, such as collaborations, mentorships, or professional opportunities?* Your Career Path Since Then What milestones have you reached since completing your GSRA project? (e.g., defended your dissertation, earned your PhD, postdoc work, publications)* Have you presented your GSRA-related work at conferences or published it in journals? If so, where?* Where are you working now, and what does your role involve?* How does your current work connect to the stuttering community or communication sciences?* Other A recent photo of yourself (for the feature)* Upload Photo Any links to your professional page, lab, or published work you’d like us to include * SUBMIT

Your gift helps people who stutter attend the NSA Conference and find community, confidence, and support. Donate today and make a lasting impact. NSA Conference Scholarship Fund The Conference Scholarship Fund helps ensure that financial barriers never stand between someone who stutters and the life‑changing experience of the NSA Annual Conference. For many people who stutter, the NSA Annual Conference is a life-changing event. It is often the very first time they enter a room where they are not the only one who stutters—a place where they don't have to hide, explain, or apologize for their voice. However, travel and registration costs can be a significant barrier. Your donation to this fund directly supports scholarships for first-time attendees, families with children who stutter, and individuals in financial need. How You Open Doors Registration Support Covering conference fees for those who couldn't otherwise afford it. Family Access Helping parents and siblings experience the supportive community. First-Time Experiences Prioritizing those who have never experienced the magic of the conference. Make a donation Help us reach our goal to sustain programs serving people who stutter nationwide. $33,758.6 raised Fundraising goal: $35,000 $35,000 43 donations No days left 96% Frequency One time One time Monthly Monthly Amount $20 $20 $50 $50 $100 $100 $250 $250 $500 $500 $1,000 $1,000 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) DONATE $102.9 I'd like to add $2.9 to cover transaction fees. 🔒 Secure & Tax-Deductible SUPPORT OTHER CAUSES GENERAL FUND CHANGEMAKERS RESEARCH FUND A Story of Impact “Your generosity changed my life. At the NSA Conference, I found connection, confidence, and a community where I truly belong. I returned home committed to using my voice to support others. Thank you for making that possible.” — Kelley Duren-Jones, 2025 NSA Conference Scholarship Recipient

< Back Previous Enjoli Richardson Presenter Enjoli Richardson is a certified speech therapist and a recent doctoral graduate from the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her training under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd. Her program of research explores the intersections of Race, Gender, and Disability within the stuttering experience by engaging in critical theories and storytelling methodologies that center Disability Justice. In her spare time, she enjoys curating events, spending time in the park, and journaling. Next

Meet Barry Shaul, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Barry Shaul WeStutter@Work Committee Barry Shaul, a person who stutters, has spent his professional career in roles where every word matters. He began as a police officer before becoming a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State, where he helped lead the protective detail for the Secretary of State. He later moved to the private sector, eventually serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer of Cargill, America's largest privately held company. And today, he runs his own consulting firm. He credits stuttering with shaping how he communicates and leads. As a WeStutter@Work mentor, he helps others do the same, guided by a simple belief: you don't need to speak fluently to be heard. Outside of work, Barry enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.

Learn how Adriana Flowers,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Corona Corps Care Adriana Flowers Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work within the University of Oregon Health Services with an organization called Corona Corps. My duties are to call students and the community around the University who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are contacts of such. As a Care Team Member, I provide people with resources and support in order to navigate this pandemic. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Definitely making phone calls to people. It goes without saying that making and receiving calls is very challenging as a person who stutters. To deliver the news to someone, maybe for the first time, that they have COVID-19 or that they were in contact with someone who tested positive is never easy to do. This is even harder when you cannot interact with the person face-to-face and see their body language and how they’re feeling. Especially if the person is overwhelmed and anxious, you can feel it and that can make me more anxious and prone to more stuttering. 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? Yes, I was interviewed over Zoom and I disclosed my stutter to all my prospective co-workers and supervisors. It felt like a relief and it was nice that people knew and understood that part of me. Currently, I have only disclosed to some co-workers if I have a bad stuttering day where I cannot control it as much or if I am about to make a call for the first time and feel nervous. I haven’t disclosed to people that I call because it is a very small interaction and they are already receiving other information and I don’t want to overwhelm them with stuff. I also haven’t had any issues yet with actual calls. What is your proudest moment at your current company? The first call I received was unexpected and I handled it well. I was kind of nervous because I was not expecting an incoming call, but the way it was handled was great. I also handled a confusing call in a professional way despite it not being on the script and despite my stutter. What are your long-term career aspirations? For now, I plan on graduating with a B.A. in Global Studies and a Minor in French and pursue my graduate studies. Then, move to Washington D.C. and work as a Foreign Service Officer (a.k.a. diplomat), and specialize in International Development and work for development agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development. 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 let your stutter stop you from landing your dream job or getting that job you want. You’re much more capable of performing your duties than you think you are. Your stutter doesn’t define you and it doesn’t define your performance at work. Going out of your comfort zone is definitely something you should try. I don’t regret choosing this job because I know it can push me out of my comfort zone and give me valuable experience.

< Back Previous David Richards Presenter David is from New York City and is passionate about public health. Stuttering has been part of his life since adolescence and has shaped who he is today. He believes that stuttering has influenced the way he handles life situations with resilience. In high school, David was valedictorian and delivered a speech to hundreds of people, which helped him build confidence that has carried into his early adulthood and continues today. Being part of the DEI Committee allows him to connect with different people so they can learn from one another. It is a great feeling for him to know that he is not the only person navigating life with a stutter. Next

< Back Previous Holly Nover Presenter Holly Nover is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and a parent of a 14-year-old boy who stutters. She currently serves as the Program Specialist for speech-language pathologists in her local school district in Florida. Holly has been a part of the National Stuttering Association community since 2007. Next

Join the Olympia - Adult & Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Olympia ADULT & FAMILY CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS NORTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Washington State Welcome to the NSA Olympia 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? Virtual Meetings What age group can attend? Adult & 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? Virtual Meetings When? Meetings are held virtually on the 1st Monday of the month from 7:00-8:00 PM. Contact the Chapter Leader (360-589-9854) for the meeting link. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Craig Zora Chapter Leader Get in touch! czor490@gmail.com (360) 589-9854 - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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