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Join the Glenview - Adult & Teen stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Glenview ADULT, TEENS IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL NORTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Illinois State Welcome to the NSA Glenview 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, Teens 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? Either the Glenview Public Library (1st Floor Multipurpose Room) or Palatine Public Library. When? Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Xiaolu Zhang Chapter Leader Get in touch! ishineluke@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! (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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. (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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 I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! 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,(https://www.westutter.org/join-a-chapter) 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(mailto:info@westutter.org) 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

Join the North Texas - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. North Texas ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA North Texas 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? Speech & Hearing Clinic – 907 W. Sycamore Street Denton, Texas 76201 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:00PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Stacy Nunnelee Chapter Leader Get in touch! stacy.nunnelee@unt.edu (940) 369-8226 - 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! (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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. (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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 I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! 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,(https://www.westutter.org/join-a-chapter) 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(mailto:info@westutter.org) 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

Join the Nashville - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Nashville ADULT IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Tennessee State Welcome to the NSA Nashville 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 Meeting 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? Nashville Public Library – Richland Park Branch at (4711 Charlotte Avenue Nashville, TN 37209) When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jake Durm & Jack Henderson Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NashvilleNSAChapter@gmail.com (931) 265-0243 - 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! (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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. (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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 I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! 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,(https://www.westutter.org/join-a-chapter) 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(mailto:info@westutter.org) 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

Join the Riverside - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Riverside - Adult ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Riverside 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? Cal Baptist University – Room #A-16 3532 Monroe Street Riverside, CA 92504 When? Meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at 5:00-7:00PM from the months of September to June. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Bobby Holley & Noel Caravotta Chapter Leaders Get in touch! Quashi2@hotmail.com (951) 536-2810 - 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! (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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. (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) (https://www.westutter.org/chapters) 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 I need to RSVP before attending? While you don’t need to RSVP before attending, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) before the meeting to let them know you’re coming. We love knowing who to look for at a meeting! 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,(https://www.westutter.org/join-a-chapter) 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(mailto:info@westutter.org) 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

Celebrate achievements at the NSA Annual Conference Awards. Recognizing excellence and contributions within the stuttering community. Each year during our Annual Conference, we present a wide variety of awards to individuals and groups within our community that have risen above and beyond, and deserve special recognition. YEAR HOST CITY CHAPTER FAMILY CHAPTER CHAPTER LEADER REGIONAL COORDINATOR SLP VOLUNTEER PARENT MEMBER (COMBINED W/VOLUNTEER) YOUTH CONFERENCE DEDICATION 2025 Denver, CO Philadelphia, PA Lafayette, LA - Marvin Wiley - - - Mitch Guerra 2024 St. Louis, MO Washington, DC - Tim Flynn & Aidan Marshall-Cort - Mike Molino - - - 2023 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Royal Oak, MI - Anahbel Augustin, Lori Colletti & Kerri Berard Family Tanya Banks Jim & Lee Lowman - Matt Scadden (community Builder) Marvin Wiley 2022 Newport Beach, CA Houston, TX St. Louis, MO Sufian Hammad & Emily Anderson Mike Molino & Steven Moates Dan Haus & Emily Webb Jamie Saunders - - 2021 Austin, TX Raleigh, NC Seattle, WA John Moore Jeff Olevson Matt Phillips & Caden Short Annemarie Whitesel - - 2020 NSA@Home (Virtual Event) - - Dannette Fitzgerald Tiffani Kittilstved - - - - 2019 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - - - - - - - Fred Murray 2018 Chicago, IL San Diego, CA - Danra Kazenski Kevin Chambers John Moore - - Annie Bradberry 2017 Dallas, TX Boston, MA - Sivan Aulov & David Apulche Steven Kaufman Jeff Fett - - Michael Sugarman 2016 Atlanta, GA New York, NY - Kevin Chambers Tom Scharstein Michelle Geiger - - Hanan Hurwitz 2015 Baltimore, MD Austin, TX - Katie Gore Bob Rochefort Stavros Ladeas - - - 2014 Washington, DC St. Cloud, MN - Grace Gregory Jeff Olevson Nina Zito Melanie Rogers - - 2013 Scottsdale, AZ Cincinnati South, OH Arizona, AZ Tanya Banks Landon Murray Cameron Francek Julie North - - 2012 St. Petersburg Rochester, NY Orange County, CA Hannah Laday Bernie Weiner Sarah Onofri Debbie Nicolai - Fred Murray 2011 Fort Worth, TX Nashville, TN - Evan Sherman Charley Adams Mike Bauer Pattie Wood Gloria Klumb Lee Reeves 2010 Cleveland, OH Albany, NY - Behnaz Abolmaali - Bernie Weiner Steph Coppen Steve Kaufman Gerald Maguire 2009 Scottsdale, AZ Tampa, FL - Nancy Barcal - Pam Mertz Lois Hare Vicki Schutter - 2008 Parsippany, NJ Lafayette, LA - Jeff Olevson - Steven Kaufman no one Madison Garcia Nina Reeves 2007 Atlanta, GA Dallas, TX - Gloria Klunb - Gary Rentschler-Bonnie Weiss Julie Whitaker - - 2006 Long Beach, CA Central Arizona, AZ - Zan Green Lynn Bejnar Vikesh Anand Cindy Marks & Marc Rosenbaum Lynn Bejnar The Liben Family 2005 Chicago, IL Madison, WI - Lou Madonna Rich Schwerdt Russ Hicks None Jim McClure - 2004 Baltimore, MD Seattle, WA - Bernie Weiner & Jim Abbott Rich Schwerdt - Chris Montalbano Cathy Olish - 2003 Nashville, TN Sacramento, CA - Gial Wilson Lew Judy Johnson - Tim Bryant Joseph Diaz Jim McClure 2002 Anaheim, CA Royal Oak, MI - Nora O'Conner Elaine Saitta - Sindy Liben Bonnie Weiss Walt Manning, Ph.D. 2001 Boston, MA Buffalo, NY - Bernie Weiner & Jim Abbott Rich Schwerdt - Michele Murphy Bill Nimelman Harry Lerner 2000 Chicago, IL Boston - North, MA - Lucy Reed Rich Schwerdt - Shirley & Robby Robbins Russ Hicks J. David Williams 1999 Seattle, WA Orange County, CA - Ed Giordano Cathy Dully - Mildred Ottaway Marty Jezer - 1998 Atlanta, GA Utah, UT - Lynn Bejnar Jeff Shames - Lee Caggaino Darrell Dodge Michael Sugarman 1996 - - - - - - - - John Ahlbach Hall of Fame In addition to our annual conference awards, the National Stuttering Association Hall of Fame was created to honor individuals who have shown an unfailing commitment over time to the NSA and to the stuttering community as a whole. Past inductees are as follows: 2025 – Heather Najman 2024 – Paula Campbell-Schwab 2023 – Paul Castellano 2022 – Pamela Mertz 2021 – Bill Smith 2020 – Doug Scott 2019 – Scott Yaruss 2018 – Bernie Weiner 2017 – Games Family 2016 – Bob Quesal 2015 – No Award given 2014 – No Award given 2013 – No Award given 2012 – No Award given 2011 – Russ Hicks 2010 – Nina Reeves 2009 – Judith Kuster 2008 – No Award given 2007 – Annie Bradberry, NSA Executive Director (1993–2003) & Jim McClure 2006 – No Award given 2005 – Marty Jezer 2004 – Annie Glenn 2003 – Lee Reeves, NSA Chairman (1997–2003) 2002 – Eugene Cooper, Ph.D. 2001 – Vivian Sheehan 2000 – John Harrison & John Paul “Scatman” Larkin 1999 – No Award given 1998 – Michael Sugarman, NSA Co-Founder 1996 – John Ahlbach, NSA Executive Director (1981–1995) Other inductees to the NSA Hall of Fame include: Fred Murray, Mel Hoffman, Rich Wells, Herb Goldberg, Dorvan Breitenfeldt.

Learn how Jonah Otis,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Senior Manager Jonah Otis Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’ve had several roles during my tenure at PayPal. Currently, I am responsible for learning and development, employee experience, and people business operations across PayPal’s technology platforms and infrastructure teams. That means I look after how our employees learn and grow, how our managers can best support their teams, and helping to ensure we’re building an inclusive workplace. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Definitely public speaking. I have a mild stutter and I’m prone to fluctuations in my fluency depending on the circumstances. The most challenging part of my job is usually when I’m anxious about something I’m working on and need to present it to a group. Sometimes I’m so focused on my fluency that I forget the flow of information I’m trying to communicate. In other words, when the message can get lost because the stutter has stolen all my energy. How supported at work do you feel by your co-workers, supervisor(s) and the company itself? I feel very supported, but not in an intentional way. I’ve spent most of my tenure at PayPal as a covert stutterer, and I never self-disclosed despite the fact that I know people can see and hear my stutter. Not once have I felt that I was not welcome or not included because of my stutter, and I’ve never been told that my stutter is a hinderance to my ability to do my 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 not self-disclose my stuttering during the hiring process, and I kept it to myself for the next 14 years. Of course, I knew that people could see my facial contortions, blocks, clenching, etc., and hear prolongations, repetitions, and pauses in my speech. But I didn’t want to acknowledge it. That was, until an executive leader approached me about talking to his son, who also stutters. That unexpected request sent me on my own journey to self-disclosure and involvement with the stuttering community. Since then, I’ve been very open about my stutter, even mentioning it during public presentations I’ve given. PayPal has also publicly featured me in social media where I disclose that I’m a person who stutters. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. While the disadvantages of stuttering are obvious, no one really talks about how it can be a superpower. In the competitive, fast-paced world of corporate America, stuttering gives me the superpowers of vulnerability and relationship-building. It goes without saying that as a stutterer, I’m vulnerable. But that vulnerability allows other people to let their guard down with me and be more open and honest. That openness leads to better ideas, innovation, and willingness to cooperate and collaborate. I’ve built a lot of relationships over the years which have helped me achieve professional goals. From a neurodiversity standpoint, being a stutterer has given me perspective on products, features, and usability that neurotypical people might not necessarily have. This helps when I am developing my own programs, helping to drive change in an organization, or supporting a product launch or test. 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 best advice is to self-disclose, own your stutter, and join a local NSA chapter for support. I can’t emphasize enough how much those things have changed my life for the better. Self-disclosure can be very hard but knowing that I have a community behind me makes all the difference. When we self-disclose and own our stutter, we disarm detractors and find our allies. We also neutralize some of our anxiety related to stuttering at work, taking away the worry about colleagues finding out that we stutter. I also recommend learning about the neurodiversity movement; the perspective that it offers helped me to see the value in being a stutterer.

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.

Learn how Liz Helton,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Lead Teacher Liz Helton Cold Spring, KY Lead Teacher Learning Grove Briefly describe your daily job duties. Working with 2.5-6 year olds in a classroom setting. Preparing and performing lessons with the children. Talking and mentoring coworkers. Yearly conferences with parents, as well as daily check-ins. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. When I first started teaching I had the fear that once people heard my stuttering they would think I wasn’t capable of teaching their child. What are your long-term career aspirations? Maintaining my position in the agency! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I didn’t mention it during the hiring process, and I don’t mention it to coworkers or parents. I have had to explain it to children, “I was born this way and it doesn’t hurt. Thanks for being patient with me, because my mouth has to finish the word”. That’s usually all it takes. What is your proudest moment at your current company? We received a regional award for being the top preschool for the year. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I am more patient with people and understand of their difficulties What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Prove everyone wrong! You can succeed and grow in your career.

Learn how Danette Fitzgerald,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Optical Systems Engineer Danette Fitzgerald Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an Optical Systems Engineer, I streamline the manufacturing process for optical measurement instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, and interferometers. I do this by designing tests, documenting procedures, training teams, and troubleshooting failures. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I need to use a lot of technical words, for which I try not to fall back on old habits of word substitution. As a former covert stutterer, I used to substitute words or use circumlocution (rambling rather than speaking concisely to avoid a feared word). I felt self-conscious that I may have come across to my colleagues as less competent because I didn’t “know” the appropriate technical term to use. But I did! I have now come to realize that it sounds better to stutter on the right word than to fluently say the wrong word. 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? Yes, kind of. I listed the National Stuttering Association (NSA) in the “community activities” section on my resume. I only disclose verbally that I stutter if I have a moment of stuttering that seems to confuse someone, or that I feel self-conscious about. The annual NSA Conference is also a great opportunity to disclose to co-workers about stuttering, as vacation plans are always a lunchtime topic of conversation. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I gave my first presentation at a technical conference, and I feel that it went really well! After watching many of the other talks during the conference, I even felt that I communicated better than some of the other presenters. Communication is about more than fluency; it’s also about looking at your audience rather than at your slides, being engaging, and wording things clearly. My company must agree because I’ve been given another opportunity to present at another conference. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Communication is much more than fluency, and you can be a good communicator even while stuttering. Disclose your stuttering when appropriate to make yourself and your listener[s] more comfortable. Say the things you want to say because you’ll come across as more intelligent and competent by speaking with a stutter than by staying silent. Never turn down opportunities because of your stutter.

Learn how Catherine Moroney,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Scientific Software Engineer Catherine Moroney Briefly describe your daily job duties. I study clouds and their impact on the climate system by analyzing satellite data. I also assist in the development of the algorithms that take in the raw satellite data and generate scientific products, analyze their performance, and write the official production code. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Participating in conference calls is challenging for me. I find it difficult getting my speech started when the people on the conference call are not aware that I’m trying to speak. Did you self-disclose your stuttering with co-workers, clients and or customers? I’ve been working with the same group of people for years so everyone knows that I stutter. I can’t hide it, nor do I try to. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Working on the same satellite for 25 years and making a substantial impact on its data products brings me a tremendous amount of joy. What’s your best advice for people who stutter striving to achieve career success? Don’t be afraid of stuttering in public and don’t change what you’re going to say based on fear of stuttering.

Learn how Anna Boyd,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. English Language Arts Teacher Anna Boyd Briefly describe your daily job duties. I teach 7th Grade English Language Arts. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. As a teacher who has to read aloud to her class, I find that to be the most challenging. I also find gaining respect in the workplace to be challenging. I often feel that adult coworkers are more likely to see my stutter has a hindrance to my teaching ability than my students. 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 did. I said I had a stutter, but it didn’t have me. I was often told that I was never going to be a teacher due to my stutter. Today, with each day one of school, I tell my students that I stutter. (But we all know each of us has something. It’s just my something is more noticeable.) Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I listen more. I take time to hear people out. Co-workers come to me when they have a student who stutters, and that makes me feel that I am contributing in ways that others cannot. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I have a student who stutters this year. And, he told me that I was the only teacher he had who has believed in him and told him that he could be and do anything in life he wanted. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan to teach middle school for the rest of my career! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Do not let stuttering control you. You have a stutter, but it doesn’t have you. You are going to write the narrative for your workplace experience so be positive, but open with people. Realize that your stutter makes you who you are, and that you have just as much, and more to offer than someone who does not stutter.