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Meet Monica Johnson, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Monica Johnson Research Committee Associate Member Monica L. Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an assistant professor at Southeastern Louisiana University who focuses on empowerment through education not only to guide her teaching but also her clinical work, and research projects. She is currently working on research exploring dating, intimacy, & partner support for AWS. In her teaching role she prepares graduates and undergraduate students to work with and support those with communication deficits and their families/caregivers/spouses/partners and teaches courses that aim to infuse counseling and research principles into practice.

Meet Dan Haus, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Dan Haus Kids & 'Tweens Program Co-Coordinator Dan is currently a senior at Penn State University, studying Environmental Engineering. He has been an active member of the NSA for over 13 years and loves getting involved during the Conference: educating and presenting during workshops, giving back by sharing personal experiences and goals, and making sure everyone is having the best experience possible. With the NSA, Dan is also the Chapter Leader for the State College, PA Adult Chapter, and a mentor with the NSA Mentoring Program. Outside of school and work, Dan enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and snowboarding.

Meet Andrew Bowers, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Andrew Bowers Advocacy & Education Co-Chair Andrew is a person who stutters and a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in school-based therapy, in addition to training and mentoring other Speech Therapists. Since 2008, he has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). His contributions include helping to develop the Young Adults Program for NSA Conferences and previously serving on the NSA Special Projects Committee. Locally, he held the position of Adult Chapter Leader in Dallas, TX, for five years. Beyond his work with the NSA, Andrew leads several global online support groups on Reddit and Discord. Residing in the Dallas, TX area, Andrew lives with his wife and two children. He enjoys adventuring with his daughters, playing board games and role-playing games, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide. Term began June 2024

< Back Seasoned Voices Committee Spotlight: Hannah Laday – The Power of Connection, Art, and Living Proudly When Hannah Laday joined the NSA 20 years ago, it was because someone told her something she’d never forget: “Meeting other people who stutter is the best form of support you can get.” That suggestion not only changed her life—it became her calling. Today, Hannah serves as a valued member of the Seasoned Voices Committee, helping connect and empower members over 50. Her greatest strength? Bringing people together. Whether it’s through mentorship, workshops, or meaningful one-on-one connections, Hannah has a gift for finding common threads and helping others feel seen. “I am talented at connecting people to others with similar interests and skills,” she shares. “The NSA has shown me I can live productively in this world.” Professionally, Hannah has taken her passion for inclusion even further—helping to bring the art of marginalized individuals and communities to the public. That includes artwork created by differently abled people and members of Maine's Wabanaki tribes, opening new doors for expression, recognition, and economic opportunity. Her advice to those new to the NSA is full of wisdom and warmth: “Feel every emotion and listen to others who share your experience. Ask questions of other people who stutter to learn new ways of living successfully.” Get to know Hannah: Favorite ice cream: Blueberry Nature preference: Mountains Favorite movie: Dancing at Lughnasa Karaoke pick: “Nothing Compares to You” by Chris Cornell Fun fact: Completed a half-marathon at age 55 Dream pet: An Australian Shepherd Dream vacation: The American Southwest Hannah is living proof that growth and transformation can happen at any age and that one connection can change everything. Thank you, Hannah, for the light, leadership, and legacy you bring to our community! Previous Next

Meet Gabe Reinstein, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Gabe Reinstein TAC Gabe is a senior at Highpoint Regional High school in Sussex, NJ where he plays football, ski races, and is a member of the jazz ensemble. Gabe loves the outdoors and spends a lot of his time skiing the mountains of the Northeast as well as tent camping with the Scouts. He is very excited for his third year on the TAC.

Learn how Lane Sanders,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Freelance Musician Lane Sanders Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am a drummer/percussionist in the San Francisco Bay Area where I wear many hats as a musician. For one, I play in orchestra pits for musical theater productions around the Bay. I also instruct percussion groups at the high school and college level. And, I give private lessons to students of all ages. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part is definitely networking. For those who haven’t heard my playing, their first impression of me will always be my stutter, which is probably just as bad now as it was when I was in grade school. For most people it doesn’t matter to them, but I do always have that fear that they’ll know me as a stutterer, rather than the musician that I am. Do you disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it? The hiring process for my profession isn’t like a regular 9-to-5 job, it’s usually based on recommendations and through word-of-mouth. I don’t mention my stutter upfront unless who I’m speaking to has a confused look on their face. My hope, so to speak, is my playing will “do the talking for me.” Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. It forces me to be patient, as well as forces the other musicians to slow down sometimes and have patience. There can be fast-paced moments sometimes, so it’s good to just slow things down now and again. What is your proudest career moment? Probably my proudest moment as a musician was being in the orchestra for the world premiere production of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” that is now currently on Broadway. The show did it’s Off-Broadway tryout in Berkeley, California, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. What are your long-term career aspirations? It’s pretty simple: to keep playing music and inspiring others. As long as I can continue to make a living playing music, I’m all set. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Be yourself. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not, and don’t hide anything about yourself. Your honesty will get you a long way with your peers.

< Back Gabe Reinstein Speaker Gabe is a senior at Highpoint Regional High school in Sussex, NJ where he plays football, ski races, and is a member of the jazz ensemble. Gabe loves the outdoors and spends a lot of his time skiing the mountains of the Northeast as well as tent camping with the Scouts. He is very excited for his third year on the TAC. Previous Next

Meet Jeffrey Dale, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Jeffrey Dale Information Technology Jeffrey Dale is a dedicated supporter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA), leveraging his expertise in information technology to meet the organization's needs. With a passion for using technology to make a positive impact, Jeffrey has been working with non-profits since 2015, bringing innovative solutions and reliable support to mission-driven organizations like the NSA. An alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, Jeffrey combines his technical skills with a deep appreciation for community engagement. His commitment to helping the NSA reflects his belief in the power of connection and the importance of providing resources for people who stutter. Now based in Colorado, Jeffrey finds inspiration in the beauty of the mountains. In his free time, he enjoys hiking through scenic trails, snowboarding on snowy peaks, and capturing stunning landscapes through photography. His adventurous spirit and creative eye complement his professional expertise, making him a valuable contributor to the NSA's mission. Jeffrey is proud to support the NSA and its community, helping to ensure that its technological needs are met with care and efficiency. His dedication to empowering others through his skills embodies the values of collaboration and service that drive the NSA forward.

Join the St. Louis - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. St. Louis - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Missouri State Welcome to the NSA St. Louis 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? The NSA St. Louis Family Chapter meets around the St. Louis area. Meetings generally alternate between two locations: Chicken N Pickle and Saint Louis University (SLU), McGannon Hall. Please see below for our detailed list of meetings for 2025 and 2026. Reach out to the Chapter Leaders for more information and be sure to follow us on Instagram @stlstutters! Chicken N Pickle 1500 S Main St St Charles, MO 63303 Saint Louis University, McGannon Hall 3750 Lindell Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108 When? The NSA St. Louis Family Chapter has a jam-packed schedule of events and meetings for 2025 and 2026! Please read below for more details and plan to join us at an upcoming event! Reach out to the Chapter Leaders for more information. 2025 Saturday, August 16 – BBQ (RSVP for location) Wednesday, September 10 – Chicken N Pickle Sunday, October 12 at 1:00 PM – SLU Soccer Game Saturday, November 15 – Friendsgiving Potluck (RSVP for location) Wednesday, December 17 – Chicken N Pickle 2026 Wednesday, January 14 – SLU February – Bowling (Date and Location TBD) Wednesday, March 11 – Chicken N Pickle Wednesday, April 8 – SLU May – Karaoke (Date and Location TBD) Wednesday, June 10 – Chicken N Pickle Wednesday, July 8 – SLU Saturday, August 8 – BBQ (RSVP for location) Wednesday, September 9 – Chicken N Pickle Wednesday, October 14 – SLU Saturday, November 14 – Friendsgiving (RSVP for location) Wednesday, December 16 – Chicken N Pickle Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Molly Porzel, Mitch Porzel & Christine Rose Chapter Leaders Get in touch! stlstutters@gmail.com (916) 607-4708 https://www.instagram.com/stlstutters/ 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

Join the San Juan - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. San Juan ADULT CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Puerto Rico State Welcome to the NSA San Juan 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 Meetings What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? Spanish 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? Escuela de Profesiones de Salud – P.º Ing. Carmelo Galíndez San Juan, Puerto Rico 00921. Meetings also held via Google Meet. When? Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 7:00PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Bryan Lopez, Jhenuel Flores & Rafael Ramos Chapter Leaders Get in touch! apttaadultos@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! ! 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 Linda Gioscia Speaker “Miss Linda” Twiss Gioscia is mom to NSA member Ethan Gioscia. Her family has been going to both the local and the national conferences for 7 years! The Gioscia's appreciate all the support and friendships they have gotten through the NSA! She owns the Performance Dance Center in Weymouth MA, which has been teaching children ages 3 and up dance for 28 years, and before that, she taught for other studios for 17 years. She is a member of the Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston and past membership examiner. She is also a member, past president and secretary of the Greater Brockton Dance Teachers’ Association. Miss Linda takes classes to stay current in the dance profession as well as keeping up on all the dance journals, books, and periodicals. She has been featured in Dance Studio Life. Previous Next

Join the Long Beach - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Long Beach ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Long Beach 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? The Hangar – 4150 E Carson Street, Long Beach, California 90808 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:00PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Alan Vu & Kanish Arhant-Sudhir Chapter Leaders Get in touch! alan@westutter.org kanish.nsa@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! ! 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