Meet Abhishek Agarwal, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Abhishek Agarwal WS@W Committee Leader Abhishek is a proud person who stutters and the leader of the WeStutter@Work NSA committee. He is quite passionate about stuttering advocacy, and runs a blog called StutterShift. His own stuttering journey has helped him build confidence and break free from his inhibitions. Outside of the NSA, Abhishek is a cybersecurity specialist and enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and reading.

Learn how Steve Ernst,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Conference Events Specialist Steve Ernst Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a Conference Events Specialist for FOCUS, a Catholic collegiate outreach organization. My primary role is working on the annual conference planning team. I plan and manage online registration, onsite check-in, volunteers, the info booth, and a few other projects during the conference each year in January which attracts 17,000 attendees. I also help out at a few other events throughout the year, such as managing hotel contracts, catering, and space use for a few FOCUS recruitment weekends. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Making phone calls is tough for me. If our donor relations team cannot answer a question about the conference, the phone call comes to me. Especially if the caller is upset, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly and confidently. I disclose that I am a person who stutters though, and the person usually understands; that also helps to soften the person’s demeanor if they’re upset! 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 and or customers? Yes. I brought up the challenges that I’ve faced with my stutter and how I’ve worked to overcome them or can work with the difficulty. If I’m on a phone or video call with someone new, I’ll usually mention that I’m a person who stutters and that they may hear some pauses or repetitions. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. To be honest, I’m not sure that stuttering makes me more valued in the office. I’m very extroverted and I’m at a point where stuttering doesn’t affect my emotional state too much, so I don’t think stuttering makes me more or less valuable at work. What is your proudest moment at your current company? In 2018, one of my first projects was to design conference check-in process for our 2019 conference. FOCUS had been doing check-ins the same way for years, but I designed a completely new way of organizing the room and moving the thousands upon thousands of attendees through it. I ran my idea past many people, made back-up plans in case it didn’t work, and tried to make my managers confident. When day one of the conference started, my check-in plan worked AMAZING. My plan cut down our average check-in time from about 7 minutes to less than 30 seconds, and we never really had a line of people waiting, even though our attendance was 17,000 people. What are your long-term career aspirations? I majored in Engineering, but have found that I have a passion for event planning. I think the fields cross over a lot, especially with critical thinking and application of knowledge and theory. I currently work for a non-profit, and I eventually hope to work for a larger event planning company and also get my Certified Meeting Professional certification. 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 bold! Aim to grow! Seek a challenge! You may not know exactly what you’re doing, but as you dig in and work hard to get the task done, you’ll learn and be better after it’s over.

Meet Marvin Wiley, Jr., a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Marvin Wiley, Jr. Regional Chapter Coordinator - Northwest Region Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota For numerous years Marvin Wiley Jr. had struggled with his stutter, which led him to avoid social interactions. At the age of 23, he birthed a belief that he could work towards developing himself into a more confident speaker, inspired from his experience in a public speaking course he took in college in 2013. Marvin first learned about the NSA the following year in 2014, but didn’t get involved until October of 2018. Marvin has been a Toastmaster ever since passing the public speaking course and has discovered how to stop his stutter from dictating the course of his life; by involving yourself in organizations like the NSA and Toastmasters, thriving within support groups. He now strives to share with others what he has learned along his journey with the goal of encouraging others to take action against their fears so they can get the most out of life. Some of Marvin’s passions include videography and playing golf.

Learn how Sharon Emery,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Senior Consultant Sharon Emery Mason, MI Senior Consultant Truscott Rossman Briefly describe your daily job duties. Having worked over 30 years in communications — as a journalist, university instructor and public relations professional — I have added a new career: book author, including extensive speaking engagements. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The book is my memoir, “It’s Hard Being You, A Primer on Being Happy Anyway,” so of course it details my battle to be a communicator who struggles to speak. Sharing that experience out loud was a challenging step I thought I’d never take. But I did … and people are receptive! What are your long-term career aspirations? Mentoring others who struggle to speak, and educating the fluent public about how they can overcome being “disabled listeners”. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I self-disclose in that I have a severe stutter, so listeners always know upfront that I am one unique speaker… I try to help them get over it. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I love helping Truscott Rossman clients “make every word count”. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. When you’re a person who stutters, you don’t want to waste a single breath on unnecessary words. Here’s to clear, direct, impactful communication! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Recognize your stutter as a key part of who you are. Own it, and then be brave enough to let yourself fill up an entire room.

Meet Tammy Flores, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Tammy Flores Executive Director Tammy has been a cornerstone of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) for more than 25 years, serving as its dedicated Executive Director since 2006. Her unwavering passion for empowering people who stutter and her commitment to advocating for the NSA community have made her a driving force behind the organization's growth and impact. Tammy’s leadership reflects her deep belief in the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment for people who stutter and their families. Over the years, Tammy has played a key role in developing programs, resources, and initiatives that have enriched the lives of countless people within the stuttering community. Her dedication to fostering connections and amplifying voices continues to inspire others and strengthen the NSA’s mission. Outside of her professional endeavors, Tammy enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring new places, and indulging in her love for all things dogs. Whether it's discovering new adventures or simply sharing moments with her favorite people, Tammy brings her trademark warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does. She is also married to an amazing person who stutters, who is her absolute favorite person in life. Tammy’s journey is a testament to her commitment, both personally and professionally, to making a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

< Back Previous Nayha Auradkar Presenter Nayha Auradkar is a person who stutters and co-leader of the “NSA Connects: Asians Who Stutter” group. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and currently works as a software engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about providing community and resources to people who stutter. In her free time, Nayha enjoys running, hiking, and anything outdoorsy. Next

Learn how Aidan Marshall-Cort,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Manager & Personal Trainer Aidan Marshall-Cort Upper Marlboro, MD Manager & Personal Trainer Fitness Together Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Manager at my facility, my job involves overseeing a team of 5-6 Personal Trainers that handle upward to 100 different clients every week. Ensuring every individual client has a goal specific program and proper path of progression that is tracked through bi-monthly assessments. Effectively supervise an atmosphere of teamwork and communication between my team and our clientele. I also take part in the Sales and Marketing of our business with phone calls to prospective clients, discussing their goals and our services before handling an in-person introductory consultation with the individual. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. My career has challenged me every step of the way as a person who stutters – communication is a fundamental part of my role not only in regards to my clientele but also to my team members as well. When it came to first meeting all of our clientele, introductions were a challenge and produced a lot of anxiety every time I saw someone new on my schedule. As I accepted more responsibility, my role absorbed new tasks that centered around initiating conversation through phone calls or first-time in-person encounters – all things I’ve always feared through my journey with stuttering. However, these experiences have only pushed me outside of my comfort zone and inevitably turned me into an effective communicator and leader that felt more confident with my stutter! What are your long-term career aspirations? My long-term career aspirations is to become a Chief Wellness Officer (CWO). A CWO is an individual who works in an organization, company, etc. who is responsible for employing many different strategies and resources that can positively benefit the employees or workers well-being. This can affect them mentally, physically, financially, etc. Wellness is a multifaceted compass that can be attributed to many different areas of life. Even though mental health is seen as the forefront of concern, there are other areas that can increasing stress and anxiety in one’s day-to-day life. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes, I did – self-disclosure is a way of taking control of your stutter. I have learned through my time in the stuttering community that a lot of fear and anxiety may come from the expectation to mask our stuttering so that we may appear fluent and therefore make others comfortable when speaking to us. However, this constant need to hide who we are as People Who Stutter can only increase fear in speaking situations which ultimately leads to higher levels of feelings of shame and guilt when we show moments of disfluency. When you eliminate that expectation to hide who you are, you don’t only eliminate that pressure we may feel but you also allow yourself to be who you are. I know it can be easier said than done, I disclose my stutter when I first meet most individuals – mutual friends, co-workers, clients, etc. – because it allows me to be myself without fear or guilt from the start and show what Aidan is saying, may take a little more time, but nonetheless still matters. What is your proudest moment at your current company? It is very difficult to pick one proud moment as everyday we are changing people’s lives. When I work my clients, my goal is not only for them to leave feeling physically better but also mentally and emotionally. A lot of my work involves being able to listen, adapt, and respond to what I encounter from my clientele everyday. It’s not always the main focus we are keeping in mind is an ache or soreness but it may be an interruption of the emotional or mental state. Seeing a client come in and inform me of some progress in their everyday life or some achievement in other areas is a consistent brightness to my day and re-affirms the love and passion in what I do. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I always saw my stutter as a hinderance in my life until I learned how much I see it as my own superpower. Stuttering’s relationship with the Stutterer can subjective as everyone may experience it differently – I found mine to be an obstacle, something I was ashamed of and attributed it to a lot of my shortcomings. Through a lot self-reflection and journeys outside my comfort zone, I’ve learned how much it reflects values I hold dear to this day. My stutter has made me someone who is empathetic with a developed emotional intelligence, patient similar to how those are with me, and allows me to be vulnerable with people I encounter in my life and at work. Due to my career, I encounter all walks of life and my stutter has taught me skills and values that allows me to connect on a multitude of levels. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? We have the superpower to be open and vulnerable with those in our lives. Stuttering affects 1% of the population on our planet, you have the opportunity to educate those around you in your daily life and inevitably make the experience of another stutterer after you, easier. Progress is never a straight line, there will be days where we are sad and feel defeated – it is okay to have those moments and feelings, they are natural; it only matters how we bounce back and learn from them. You’ve got this and you’re doing a great job, go out there and let the world hear your voice 🙂

Learn how Nick Cicero,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Town Planner Nick Cicero Briefly describe your daily job duties. I review many different types of zoning and building permits as the Planner for the Department of Planning and Community Development. I talk with citizens and developers regarding various projects going on within the Town, as well as coordinate Board and Commission Meetings. I serve as the Land Use Expert for the Town in Rezoning and Site Plan Reviews, and write and present staff reports to our Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Town Council. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. For me it is the personal doubt that creeps in sometimes, as my stutter is non existent some days and very prevalent other days. Overall, I have to remind myself to be patient. I used to be very fearful of public speaking, phone calls, and virtual meetings, but once I exposed myself to these tasks it has become part of my normal routine. I still have to remind myself though that things take time, and to not rush when I need to explain something. What are your long-term career aspirations? I aspire to continue in the public sector in Land Use Planning, and hope to be a Planning Director of a large organization one day. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did disclose my stutter, as I described how it has shaped me and made me who I am. I explained that I am someone who perseveres every day, and do not let it define me. I shared this during the interview, as I wanted them to understand that regardless of how I speak or come across, I will always be positive and achieve what I set out. I have only disclosed it to co-workers, but it is very easy to do. Everyone has their challenging days, and I just have related to them that while they work through issues that today my stutter is prevalent and it’s been annoying but we are both working through it. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moment at my current company is being recognized by our Town Manager for all of my hard work since I have began this job in early 2021. I have to add that presenting at multiple meetings has made me quite proud, as this seemed impossible just 3 years ago. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering has allowed me to become a better listener, and a more creative communicator. Some days I struggle getting certain words out, so I have to find other ways to describe something whether it be in a presentation or in a meeting. Stuttering has made me more compassionate as well, as everyone deals with our own struggles. Finally, my stutter has made me driven and goal oriented, as I want to only produce quality work. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? As someone who just two years ago was entering the workplace for the first time as a person who stutters, I say remember that things take time and not everything you want will come at once. While others you know may have jobs right out of college, it is ok to not have one or have a firm plan yet. Everyone is on there own journey, and do not let others influence your own personal goals. Success takes time, but once you create an action plan and find a place where you can grow personally and professionally, the sky is the limit.

Learn how Derek Sutor,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Special Education Teacher Derek Sutor Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am a Special Education teacher in a co-teaching setting, teaching Algebra and Geometry. I also serve as my school’s Special Education Department Chair, overseeing the Instructional Assistants, serving as a liaison between the Special Education department and administration, coordinating school-wide testing for students with accommodations and serving on building leadership committees. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Being an educator and a coach, verbal communication is essential in building relationships, whether it be with my students in class, players I coach, my colleagues I interact with throughout the day, parents I communicate with on the phone or any other interaction I may have. Being able to communicate thoroughly is vital in my roles. There are situations that come up throughout my day where I may need to have more difficult conversations than normal, so making sure I say exactly what needs to be said is important. 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 openly told the hiring committee that I had a stutter and that I actually use it as a tool to build relationships with students, showing that I have my own hurdles and obstacles to overcome on a daily basis. I am always open and honest with colleagues, letting them know that I have a stutter and I may have disfluencies from time to time. I know that the majority of people do not pay attention to my stutter, but I sometimes inform people beforehand that I have one, just for my own piece of mind. It allows me to enter a conversation calmer, knowing that it’s out there. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering shows my vulnerability. As an educator and a coach, we consistently preach to our students/players that we all have a story and adversity that we must face on a daily basis. Whether it’s a disability, a disorder, balancing schoolwork/a job/sports/life, we all have things on our plate that we deal with on a daily basis and must overcome day in and day out. I try to show the students that even though I have something that could hold me back, I don’t allow it to and can perform my job duties to the best of my ability. What is your proudest moment at your current company? In 2019, I was honored as the High School Teacher of the Year for my county. The award meant more to me than most know, simply for the fact that, in 2011, I almost quit the teaching profession because my fluency had gotten so bad. I was at a low point in my life, barely able to say a complete sentence without a prolongation or a block. It was then that I decided to get some intensive help at a speech therapy clinic on the east coast for two weeks. After two weeks of staying in a hotel and attending the clinic for two weeks, I had the confidence to know that I had the tools to be in control of my fluency. Since that day, it was a journey of continuing to work on my fluency, building more and more confidence each day. Being honored as a High School Teacher of the Year made it feel that things had “come full circle”. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am currently continuing my education for a second master’s degree, with it being in Educational Leadership with a Principal Endorsement, which would allow me to pursue an administrative role in the schools. I would like to be a Director of Special Education or a Student Services Coordinator, being able to stay in the field of Special Education, but in more of a leadership/administrative role. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? You have so much to offer and do not have to be defined by your stutter. We are not defined by what happens to us, but rather how we respond to what happens to us. Embrace your story and allow it to help you along your journey. There will never be a case where your stutter is completely gone, but knowing that you have the tools and the ability to manage it is such an empowering feeling. You are a stutterer … be proud of it!

Explore NSA events, support groups, and workshops for people who stutter. Find virtual and in-person gatherings to connect, learn, and grow—wherever you are. Events & Gatherings Mark your calendar and join us for virtual meetups, local chapter events, regional conferences, and our annual conference—spaces where every voice matters. NSA Connects with Healthcare Professionals: Where Care Counts More Than How We Sound Tue, Aug 25 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Kids Club Wed, Aug 26 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE NSA Connects: DEI Think Tank Wed, Aug 26 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects with Passing Twice Thu, Aug 27 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates Parents and Caregivers Virtual Chapter Meeting Thu, Sep 03 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates Sisters Who Stutter Sun, Sep 06 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE NSA Connects: Grief - An Underlying and Often Unspoken Universal Experience Wed, Sep 09 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE NSA Southeastern PA Family Chapter: Back to School Event Thu, Sep 10 Chester County Library Burke Meeting Rm. MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects Bil Arabi: Discovering Our Voice Tue, Sep 15 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Women Connect Thu, Sep 17 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE NSA Boston Chapters: Summer BBQ Sat, Sep 19 Sharon, MA MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects with Board Games Sat, Sep 19 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects: Asians Who Stutter Mon, Sep 21 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects en Español Mon, Sep 28 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE NSA St. Louis 1-Day Conference Sat, Oct 03 Saint Louis University: Il Monastero MORE INFO BUY TICKETS NSA Connects - How To Make "Small Talk" Your Superpower Wed, Oct 14 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Swing Fore Stuttering Golf Tournament 2026 | Pearland, TX Sat, Oct 17 Quail Valley Golf Club MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Teen Talk Sun, Oct 18 Virtual Event MORE INFO LEARN MORE Load More FEATURED EVENT 2026 Annual Conference Join hundreds of people who stutter, families, and SLPs for four transformative days of connection, support, and empowerment. Our largest gathering of the year brings together the entire stuttering community. View Details & Register Learn More Connect Through Your Local Chapter The National Stuttering Association is built on community. While our conferences bring people together for powerful moments of connection, the heart of the NSA lives in our local chapters. Across the country, people who stutter, families, and allies gather to share experiences, learn from one another, and build lasting friendships in supportive, judgment-free spaces. Local Chapters With 164 active chapters across the United States, there is likely a community near you. Chapters host regular meetings, family gatherings, and social events where you can connect with others who understand the experience of stuttering. Many members say their local chapter is where they first realized something powerful: if you stutter, you are not alone. Find Your Local Chapter Never Miss an Event From one-day conferences to local meetups and national events, there are many ways to stay connected with the NSA community. Subscribe to receive event announcements, registration reminders, and important updates so you never miss an opportunity to connect. Subscribe to Updates

Join the Tallahassee - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Tallahassee ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Tallahassee 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? LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Public Library (Meeting Room B, 2nd Floor) 200 W Park Avenue Tallahassee, Florida 32301 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Danny Chiarodit Chapter Leader Get in touch! NSATallahassee@gmail.com - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Meet Michael Liben, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Michael Liben Legal Counsel Michael Liben is a prosecutor in New York City. He currently serves as a Deputy Bureau Chief in the Domestic Violence Bureau of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Michael, and his family, have been involved in the NSA for over twenty years. He has previously served as the NSA’s Youth Chair and as a member of the NSA’s Research Committee. Michael resides in New York with his wife and daughter.