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Learn how Emily Anderson,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Environmental Specialist Emily Anderson Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an Environmental Specialist at DOWL, my job duties vary depending on the project we are working on and the time of the year. During the summer, I am very busy with wetland delineation fieldwork. When a client wants to fill wetland for development, they need the proper permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That’s when a third party, like what I do at DOWL, does fieldwork to identify the wetland. We look for three things: hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology. Simply put, we dig big holes and analyze the soils plus the surrounding environment. It’s a lot of fun and has brought me to such beautiful regions of Alaska. When not doing field work, I am working on permits, Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements for major projects. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. My biggest challenge is participating on teleconferences. Because projects involve a lot of different people from a variety of sectors, teleconferences are very common in my field of work. I already stutter a lot on the phone and when I know there are many people on the line, important people for that matter, it can be very stressful for me. It’s also difficult to find a moment to talk on teleconferences. Sometimes I will start to speak, stutter, and someone will start speaking because they think the line is open. It is not their fault but just something that happens. 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 disclose my stutter and it felt AMAZING. I knew I wanted to disclose but I was waiting for the right moments to do so. I wanted to make it organic and prove it as a strength of mine. My interviewers asked me what I like to do in my free time. I responded with the normal outdoor Alaskan activities but also said I like being a role model to people who stutter, especially the younger generation. I brought up my leadership role with the Alaska NSA Family Chapter and what an impact it has had on children and their parents. My interviewers were completely blown away and loved it. Currently when I disclose to clients or other coworkers, I also wait for it to be organic. If I am just casually stuttering, I usually don’t disclose unless I need to. But if I’m in a big meeting or presentation, I will simply say: “Just a heads up, I do stutter so it may take me an extra moment.” I have even had people approach me after presentations to tell me how great it was that I told the crowd that. It really helps people feel comfortable with you when you disclose your stutter. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Being a person who stutters in the workplace makes me a very conscientious speaker. I take my time when I speak up and choose my words wisely. This is not to avoid stuttering or to choose words I will not stutter on, but rather, it makes me feel better when I take my time. I’ve found speaking slowly and concisely demands attention from people. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I have only been at my current company for about 6 months now, so I expect a giant proud moment is yet to come. As of now, my colleagues and supervisors have been very vocal about my strengths and willingness to help where needed. Something I am proud of is that out of the entire environmental department, I have logged the most hours in the field. For someone of my age and experience level, that is certainly something to be proud of. What are your long-term career aspirations? Thankfully in the environmental science world, there’s always work to be done and a large variety of it. However, that makes my field very broad because I’m interested in absolutely everything. Once I narrow in my interests, I hope to go back to school to obtain my master’s degree. I would love to study the social effects of climate change, especially since Alaska is being hit rather hard by the changing climate. 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 do not let stuttering define you. Use your stutter as a strength. Show people that it’s just one part of you and it does not hold you back. Plus, I promise we, people who stutter, notice our stutter way more than anyone else! It can feel like such a huge deal to tell someone that you stutter, but chances are they are going to accept and move on. It is not a big deal to them. They value you for your brain, your talent, your personality. Your stutter can be an asset, if you let it be that.

Join the Eugene - Kids stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Eugene - Kids KIDS CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS NORTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Oregon State Welcome to the NSA Eugene Kids 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? Kids 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? Meetings are held virtually with in-person special events. Please contact the Chapter Leader for the meeting link. When? Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Fajhr Qureshi Chapter Leader Get in touch! nsa.eugene.or@gmail.com 480-678-5852 https://www.instagram.com/nsa.eugene.or/ 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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 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

Learn how Steven Dunn,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Trial Lawyer Steven Dunn Dallas, TX Trial Lawyer Dunn Law Firm Briefly describe your daily job duties. Daily job duties include helping people who are disadvantaged due to mental health challenges, specifically eating disorders. As a trial lawyer, I help them seek justice, health care, and support in a loving and caring environment. As a father whose daughter was taken from him by anorexia, I know the pain caused by the loss of a loved one, and fight daily for the mental health of others. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. During trial I explain to the jury, “You may have noticed that I stutter. If that would be a problem for you to see my client objectively, let me know and we can talk to the judge about this”. What are your long-term career aspirations? Continuing to help others with their challenges! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? As someone who is self-employed, the hiring process is not exactly applicable. However, I am very upfront talking with clients, new friends, and acquaintances about this. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Helping others to recover from eating disorders. 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 resilient!

Join the Cookeville - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Cookeville ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter-Tennessee State Welcome to the NSA Cookeville Chapter 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? The Table Board Game Lounge 18 W Spring Street, Cookeville, TN 38501 When? 3rd Sunday of each month 1:30-3:00 Central Time First Meeting on October 19, 2025 Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Shannon Buford Chapter Leader Get in touch! cookevillestutters@gmail.com 931-644-7074 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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 Caitlin Franchini, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Caitlin Franchini Professional Relations Committee Caitlin Franchini, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and a person who stutters, currently working as a Clinical Research Associate at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research – Atlanta Satellite through the University of Texas at Austin. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and her master’s from Georgia State University. Caitlin specializes in developmental stuttering and implements person-focused treatment. In 2023, she received the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

< Back Poetry, Presence, and French Vanilla: Here’s Derek Daniels’ NSA Story Meet Derek Daniels. He’s been part of the NSA family since 2002, starting in Houston and now calling the Detroit/Royal Oak Chapter home. When he walked through that first NSA Chapter meeting door, he was looking for community. Like so many of us who stutter, he found more than that. He found validation. He found connection. He found people who just… got it. Over the years, the NSA has become something deeper for Derek, a space where his experience as a person who stutters is affirmed. That sense of affirmation has helped shape every part of his journey. As a professor, researcher, and clinician, Derek’s career blends purpose with passion. He teaches, travels, networks, supports people who stutter, and still finds time to grow as a poet. What’s Derek proud of? A lot. Personally, it’s been his evolution as a writer. Professionally, it’s receiving both the NSA’s Professional of the Year and Scholar Award. But more than accolades, it’s about staying true to himself and showing up fully in his work and in the community. He’s got advice for newcomers, too: “You have a community that embraces you for who you are.” And if you really want to get to know him? Offer him a soft chocolate chip cookie, turn on a little Taylor Dayne or Jon Secada, and ask him what he loves about London. Previous Next

Learn how James Hayden,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. HLA Technologist James Hayden Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work in the flow cytometry and DNA sections of Ochsner Health’s Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Lab. I assist with preliminary workups for those in need of an organ transplant, as well as, potential donors. In the flow section, I test to see if there is a reaction between the antigens of a potential donor versus the antigens of a potential recipient, in order to reduce organ rejection. I also test to see if there is a reaction between the patient’s antibodies vs the patient’s antigens, in order to identify auto immune disorders. In the DNA section, I isolate and test donor and recipient DNA to identify their HLA profiles. Other responsibilities include: testing for various diseases (ex. Celiac disease and psoriatic arthritis), quality control of instruments, as well as, reagents, and DNA typing of deceased donors. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone is the most challenging part of my job. Nearly every day I’m on the phone with someone to see where a sample is, confirm a test that we need to run, report results, confirm donor information, and/or confirm patient information. For the most part, I talk to the same group of people about these issues. By this point, they all know I stutter and it’s a non-issue. However, if I am talking to someone new and I begin to stutter I will disclose that I am a PWS, after the stuttering moment ends. 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? I disclosed indirectly. On my resume, I listed my book, Dear World, I Stutter, and various published articles, but my stutter did not come up during my interview. In the past two year and a half years, I’ve become more comfortable with disclosing my stutter. Whenever I meet a new co-worker, I disclose by saying, “You may have noticed that I stutter. All I ask is that you don’t finish my sentences and keep eye contact with me when I stutter. If you have any questions about stuttering, then don’t hesitate to ask me.” What is your proudest moment at your current company? Being selected to give a TED talk at Ochsner’s inaugural TEDx event is my proudest moment. Not only is it the proudest of my time at Ochsner, but it’s one of the proudest moments of my life. What are your long-term career aspirations? Although I like what I do, I want to transition to the corporate side of Ochsner. My ideal role would be in internal employee development. I would also like expand my writing and public speaking opportunities. 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 the fact that you are a person who stutters as soon as possible. Disclosing allows for the “awkwardness” of stuttering to instantly disappear. Also, don’t allow your stutter to hold you back from going for a project, promotion, or a new opportunity.

< Back Isabella Fiorenza Speaker Bella Fiorenza has been stuttering since birth and talking about it ever since. Set to earn her master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in May 2025, she’s a fierce advocate for the stuttering community--whether in her personal life, the classroom, or on stage at conferences. A six-year NSA member, former Co-Chapter Leader of the Beaumont, TX Chapter, and current Co-Chapter Leader in Lafayette, LA, Bella believes in the power of storytelling to educate and empower. When she’s not advocating, you’ll find her belting out karaoke with friends, hunting for funky finds at Goodwill, binge-watching reality TV, or getting lost in the fiction aisle at Barnes & Noble. Previous Next

Learn how Madison Nichols,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Flow Cytometry Specialist Madison Nichols Briefly describe your daily job duties. My job involves assisting researchers with analyzing their cell specimens using the principles of flow cytometry. I’m responsible for being able to analyze experiments when needed, keeping analyzers clean and functional, and also for caring for our two cell sorters. Cell sorting is my main job, in which I use high complexity instrumentation to sort cells from a suspension into a separate receptacle to allow our clients to use them for other research purposes. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. It’s been particularly difficult during the pandemic meeting people very slowly instead of all at once. People are slowly phasing into returning to work, which puts some added stress on me to meet new people on a fairly regular basis. What are your long-term career aspirations? I’d love to stay in this position and continue to learn as long as I continue to feel passionate about the work I am doing. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Disclosure of my stuttering was the first thing I did when applying for this job. I disclosed it in my application and my letter of intent as well as to every on-boarding individual along the way. Disclosure is something I am very passionate about, as I believe it takes stress off of us to try to appear perfect and to try to hide something that isn’t even our fault. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I’m very proud of transitioning to this job at the very beginning of the pandemic and am also proud of myself for continuing to learn and meet new people even though it can be difficult. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I work on being a good, active listener. I always try to give people the space and time to share their ideas without interruption because I know how hard it can be to communicate. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Always be yourself, even if being your true self requires you to put in more effort and go beyond your comfort zone. Be willing to learn new things and to be corrected. Always be willing to lend a hand and stay away from workplace drama! Most of all, don’t let something like your speech hold you back. When you’re in the right position, those who truly care about you won’t care and will give you all the time in the world to speak your mind.

Learn how Kunal Mahajan,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. VP – Middle Market Leveraged Finance Kunal Mahajan Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work in the Middle Market Leveraged Finance group which consists of providing financing to private equity companies to finance their acquisitions. My primary duties consist of managing all aspects of the deal process which includes researching and conducting due diligence on different companies across different industries, communicating with clients, and presenting in front of credit committees to get a deal approved. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Presentations are the most challenging aspect of my job as a person who stutters. As the lead underwriter on a transaction, I am responsible for presenting in various committee meetings and am expected to be the expert on a transaction to get the deal approved. That pressure makes me feel that I have to give the perfect presentation and I become very anxious that my stutter will prevent me from doing so. How supported at work do you feel by your co-workers, supervisor(s) and the company itself? SMBC and my co-workers have supported me completely throughout my entire tenure with the firm. When I expressed my concerns to my managers that I was afraid I would be letting them down by stuttering during my presentations and when talking to clients, they assured me that they do not care whether I stutter or not. They said they are just focused on ensuring I am prepared for the presentations and are only concerned about what I have to say. When I told them how important becoming an effective communicator was to me, they supported me in my pursuit of programs such as Toastmasters, the Dale Carnegie Leadership Program, and getting me a private public speaking coach to work with on a one-on-one basis to improve my communication and presentation skills. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? No, I never did. However, I wish I did because my bosses thought I was just very nervous during my interview because they did not realize that I had a stuttering disability. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Being a person who stutters and being open and authentic with my team about it has brought us closer together. They have been able to see how trusting I am of them and it has created an environment within our team where we all can be open and honest with each other and help support each other. My stutter has also made me become an employee who is very focused on helping others. Having gone through so much hardship with my stutter and having had many people who have been compassionate and supported me, that has made me want to do good for others. I am very focused on mentoring people within my team to help them grow and am involved in running initiatives at the firm for helping other people with disabilities get the support they need in the work place. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Hosting a Mock Interview Event for People Who Stutter in January of 2019 at our offices in NYC was my proudest moment at SMBC. We had 30 people who stutter from across the country come to the event to work on their interview skills. Members of the SMBC senior management team served as mock interviewers and provided interviewees feedback. I was proud that I was able to help bring together a life changing day for everyone in the room and that I work for an institution that is so accepting to people of disabilities.

Join the Northern Colorado - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Northern Colorado - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Colorado State Welcome to the Northern Colorado 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? Council Tree Library- 2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525 When? Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 during the school year. Social meet-ups will be held in the summer! Our first meeting is March 6th. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Libby Cravens, Sarah Boffa & Jessica McGuire Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NorthernColoradoNSA@gmail.com 281-796-8882 (text) - 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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