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< Back Chapter Leader Spotlight - Maria Turner | Atlantic County, New Jersey Atlantic County, New Jersey Chapter Leader For more than a decade, Maria Turner has been creating a welcoming space for people who stutter in southern New Jersey. Through warmth, creativity, and genuine care for her members, Maria has built a chapter where people can share their stories, grow in confidence, and support one another. Meet the Atlantic County, New Jersey Chapter Maria has been leading the Atlantic County, New Jersey NSA Chapter for 10 years. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Stockton University Campus Center (Meeting Room 3). Meetings are hybrid, welcoming members both in person and on Zoom, and typically bring together 6–10 participants. Each meeting begins with welcoming words, introductions, and an icebreaker to help everyone feel comfortable. From there, the conversation opens up for anyone who wants to talk about their experiences with stuttering. The group also enjoys activities like holiday games and riddles, creating a relaxed and supportive environment where people can connect while having fun. What inspired Maria to become a Chapter Leader? Maria’s inspiration to start the chapter came from her own experiences with support and speech therapy. For much of her teenage and adult life, she had access to strong support systems through the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, where she participated in programs for people who stutter. But when she got married and moved to New Jersey, she realized something important was missing. “There wasn’t an NSA chapter or a support system near me,” Maria said. “And I really missed that.” Rather than accept the absence of support, Maria decided to create the community she wished existed. A memorable first meeting Maria still remembers her very first chapter meeting clearly. “What I remember most is that people actually came,” she said. People who stutter attended, along with speech-language pathologists and others interested in learning more about stuttering. That moment confirmed that the need for connection and support was real. The most rewarding part of leading a chapter For Maria, the most meaningful part of being a Chapter Leader is giving people a safe place to talk openly. “Giving members a safe place to talk about their stuttering journey and to learn more about it,” she shared. One particularly powerful moment happened when a chapter member was going through a difficult personal experience. She shared it with the group, and something special happened. Members both in person and on Zoom reached out to her with kindness and support. “It unfolded so nicely,” Maria said. “I didn’t want it to end.” Moments like these remind Maria why community matters so much. Personal growth through leadership Leading the chapter has also helped Maria grow in ways she never expected. “I always considered myself a follower,” she explained. “Being a Chapter Leader has helped me come out of my comfort zone. I have more confidence now.” Through leadership, Maria discovered that she could guide others with empathy, understanding, and strength. Helping members find confidence Maria has witnessed many meaningful moments of growth in her chapter. She shared that some of the young women in her group have found the courage to apply for their first jobs and step out more confidently into the world. Seeing members take those steps has been one of the most rewarding parts of her journey. Connecting with the wider community Maria’s chapter also maintains strong connections with the local academic community. Graduate students in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Stockton University are required to attend at least one NSA meeting, either in person or on Zoom. Maria has also spoken directly to students in fluency classes, sharing her personal experiences with stuttering and helping future speech-language pathologists better understand the lived experience of people who stutter. What members say about the chapter One member once told Maria something that stayed with her: “For the first time, I have someone who understands what I’m going through.” That kind of feedback reminds Maria just how powerful community can be. What makes this chapter unique Maria describes her chapter as a place where people can be themselves. Meetings are filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, and traditions like holiday celebrations and riddles, which members look forward to each year. The combination of support, learning, and fun helps make the chapter feel like a true community. Welcoming new members Maria works hard to make sure first-time attendees feel comfortable. She always reminds newcomers that they don’t have to speak or participate if they’re not ready. Simply being there is enough. She thanks them for coming and lets them know she hopes to see them again. Advice for future Chapter Leaders Maria has a simple but heartfelt message for anyone considering starting a chapter: “Welcome! You are about to embark on a very meaningful and helpful journey. Be prepared to share your heart and your stuttering journey.” Inspiration along the way Maria’s biggest inspiration has been Sister Charleen Bloom from the College of St. Rose. Sister Charleen led the Communication Disorders department and worked closely with teenagers and adults who stutter. Maria knew her for more than 45 years as a teacher, mentor, and friend. “She believed in me from the very beginning,” Maria said. Maria now hopes to carry forward that same spirit of encouragement and support for others who stutter. Looking ahead Maria hopes to grow the chapter in the coming year by welcoming more members and organizing additional social events. She’s also interested in inviting chapter members to lead meetings and bring topics they care about to the group. Life outside the NSA When she’s not leading meetings, Maria enjoys creative hobbies like: Basket weaving Counted cross-stitch and needlepoint Making silk flower arrangements Solving puzzles A fun fact many people don’t know: Maria married her high school sweetheart after being apart for eighteen years. Three words to describe the Atlantic County Chapter Supportive Fun Welcoming Previous Next

Learn how Demetris Nichols,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Inspirational Speaker, Professional Basketball Player Demetris Nichols Briefly describe your daily job duties. Since 2007, I’ve been playing professional basketball in the US and Internationally. I’m now turning more of my attention to being an inspirational speaker who empowers individuals, especially those who stutter or have a disability. I believe it’s my duty to remind people that our attitude will predict our now and later. I represent an idea! An idea that if we truly believe in something, we can change or create the life we want. I believe we are all mental giants. I also believe we sometimes forget how mentally strong we are. That’s why I’m here! As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part is that this stuttering bully always tries to creep back into my life. But I’m a mental giant and I will not allow that to happen. Another challenging part is talking to people that have known me for years and they expect me to stutter. Some ask, how did I overcome my speech difference and I simply tell them, “will power!” It’s a challenge to encourage people to believe every day that anything is possible for them. I’m up for the challenge to help people believe. I am living proof! Did you self-disclose your stuttering? If so, how did you do it? The last time I self-disclosed my stutter was in college. My speech therapist gave me an assignment to call random people and say, “Hi my name is Demetris Nichols, I have a stutter but I’m working on it.” I think it works because it removes the elephant in the room. I also would tell my coaches and sometime teachers in school that I stutter so they would be sensitive to it. I currently don’t have to disclose my stuttering. With hard work, training and will. I’m able to speak confidently in front of a large audience. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Well I have a story tell. I know all about the struggles and challenges stutterers face every day. I was that kid who raised his hand to go to the bathroom just before the teacher would call on me to read out loud. I never wanted this stuttering bully to come out in class. Sports became my way to communicate because I was afraid to speak in other environments. People who stutter are a part of the 1%. I know what it’s like to be an outsider looking in. I have a valued perspective because I lived with a stutter for more than half of my live. But I also know what it takes to get over the stuttering mountain. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moments are being able to confidently speak to small groups and very large groups. For years this stuttering bully has followed me, but I made a decision to stand up to the bully. I love when people come up to me and say, “Thank you for your inspiration.” Just a few years ago, I was afraid. I had a dream to speak and now my dream has become my purpose. I believe part of my purpose is to change minds and improve lives! What are your long-term career aspirations? My aspiration is to make a difference in the world. To help bring awareness to stuttering and individuals who have disabilities. My aspiration is to change lives and give people hope though my story. I have overcome, overachieved and have turned my weakness into a strength. My hope is to help people do the same. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Look in the mirror and believe you can do anything you put your mind to. Mental giants keep trying!

Learn how Brendan Mahoney,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Registered Nurse Brendan Mahoney Richmond, VA Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Registered Nurse Virginia Department of Health Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an occupational health nurse with the Virginia Department of Health, I oversee the health and wellness of all VDH employees. As we are coming out of the pandemic, many VDH employees have neglected their health needs over these 2+years. I am happy to serve these VDH employees and to assess/gauge their needs. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Presentations are always a challenge. Thankfully I feel empowered with the confidence instilled in me by my team and supervisor, which are vital in any employment situation. Phone calls are always a daily challenge, but they become easier the more I do them and in the context of the call, the level of difficulty/stress is proportional to the topic. (i.e. discussing a general topic being easier and being questioned by a superior on a possible performance issue being more challenging). What are your long-term career aspirations? I have been in the nursing field for 16 years. It has been my professional goal to be an occupational health nurse, so I feel blessed to be in this position, as it’s taken me a good portion of my nursing career to reach this position. My next step is to start studying for board certification in occupational health nursing. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did during my interview process and when I first met my supervisor. I also addressed it in our first staff meeting. I feel it’s an ice breaker, as it allows everyone to be comfortable. I also explained that there is not a need to help with or finish my words or sentences while I speak. This way, it’s out on the open, there’s no questions, and everyone can be at ease. Lastly, I offer to answer any questions they may have in the future about my stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Being in the position as a professional resource for VDH employees for health and wellness. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. It makes me more determined and resilient when facing problems, challenges, and obstacles in the workplace. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Stutterers should focus on their strengths, as anyone would. Speaking may not be one of them, and that is nothing to be ashamed of, as I’m sure some non-stutterers may have the same weaknesses.

Learn how Joe McEvoy,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Chief Strategy Officer Joe McEvoy Briefly describe your daily job duties. As CSO I lead all of my organization’s work in implementing our strategic plan. This includes developing new programs and partnerships in response to needs in the community, building strategic partnerships with other providers and funding organizations, advocating for change at the local and state level, and identifying internal improvements that ensure we can best use our resources. I also lead all of the agency’s fundraising and communication efforts – so every day is really very different. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I think, like most people who stutter, speaking to large groups can be a challenge. I have the added challenge of having an accent (I’m Irish) which can sometimes make me feel like it’s harder for people to understand me. It’s definitely something I want to work on and become more comfortable with, as I’d like to be able to do more of it. I am lucky to able to rely on a great team who have many different skills, which allows me to work to my strengths, like being a much better communicator with smaller groups and at building personal relationships. Other than that, many people who stutter will recognize how tired you can get after a long day of talking – sometimes I get home and just need to not talk for a while in the evening! What are your long-term career aspirations? I love working in the community non-profit space, and particularly in anti-poverty work. While I imagine one day I would like to be the CEO of a non-profit, for right now, I love what I do. I honestly feel like I have my dream job and I want to continue to do all I can to help meet the needs of folks in our community who may be struggling. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes, I did – in those kind of situations it makes everyone feel much more comfortable, and I feel like by naming it, you lessen the stress and it’s impact on your interaction. The first time I stuttered in the interview, I took a moment to explain that I had a stutter. My boss has been very supportive from the moment I mentioned it, and it has never had any negative impacts on my work. I don’t always disclose, but I will in the right circumstances – I talk very openly about it with coworkers and folks in the community. I hosted a screening of “My Beautiful Stutter” for my coworkers and invited some donors and community partners, and I regularly share information on Stuttering Awareness Day. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I’m really proud of all the work my agency does to serve the community – every day we change people’s lives for the better and offer hope in times of crisis. What I am most proud of is how our entire team went above and beyond, working so hard, and being so innovative and imaginative about how we were able to help those in need when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. It might be counterintuitive but I think that stuttering helps in a number of ways. It often evokes openness and engagement with people that might be surprising to someone who does not stutter. By sharing that you stutter, and being comfortable with stuttering, you are showing a vulnerability that many people respond to. I feel like I am much better able to build relationships with individuals. I also feel like stuttering has helped me become a much better communicator – I love writing (there is no stuttering in writing!) and the tactic of replacing trickier words or sounds has given me a great vocabulary that definitely comes in handy! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? I don’t know about advice, but I really feel like being open and even a little bit vulnerable is our superpower! While it might feel stressful to put yourself out there, I can honestly say that I have never ever received any negative response when disclosing. Stuttering gives us a unique perspective, we value personal interactions and communication in a different way – in the workplace this can really set you apart and can help you build incredible relationships!

Learn how Gareth Walkom,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Founder, Entrepreneur Gareth Walkom Briefly describe your daily job duties. I develop virtual reality tools for speech disorders, speech and language pathologists, and researchers. Since 2015, I have been researching how virtual reality can be used as a tool within stuttering, explicitly understanding how virtual reality speaking situations can be used. My research has been featured on BBC News. Virtual reality is an incredibly powerful tool. We can create any scenario we like, control it in real-time, and stop it whenever we please. It is my absolute pleasure to have created withVR, a company that provides virtual reality speaking situations to those who need it the most. At withVR, each day is different for me. One day I could be programming the backend of my software, the next, I could be designing visual content or giving a talk at a conference. No matter what I do, I always find pride in doing it. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I live in the beautiful city of Ghent, Belgium, where Flemish is the first language. Even though nearly everyone can speak English, talking on the phone can sometimes be very difficult! How do you disclose your stutter, if at all, at work? It’s only me in the company and I am always very honest with myself. I used to self-disclose a lot; however, now, I very rarely do. I speak to others as if my stuttering is not something that I have to address. I do not see it as a problem, but I am also very open about it. If someone is confused about what’s going on, I get that, and I openly talk about my stutter and welcome any questions they have. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I am very fortunate to have turned my stuttering into something others can benefit from. I think about my stuttering and others who stutter all the time, always thinking about how I can change my tools for the greater good. My stuttering used to be a burden, a difficulty, and something I wanted to avoid at all costs. Now, if it weren’t for my stuttering, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have met all these exceptional individuals in the stuttering community. I wouldn’t have visited so many beautiful cities. I wouldn’t have this job. I’ve turned my stutter into my greatest asset. What is your proudest career moment? Going fully self-employed is a huge step and I am so happy that I have done it. Therefore, the moment that I created withVR on the 22nd October 2020 (International Stuttering Awareness Day!) is currently my proudest moment. What are your long-term career aspirations? I thrive on creating the most suitable virtual reality tools for speech disorders. To me, success is how many people you impact positively. I want to use my knowledge I have gained over the years and transfer it into something the people can benefit from. If I can enjoy what I do and impact others positively, it will make me eternally grateful, and that’s the only career success I’ll ever need. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Find something you’re passionate about, push for it with all your might, and make it your own. Your stutter may sometimes make you feel different, but it is what you do with this difference that defines your path. Who knows, maybe your stutter is your hidden key to your career success.

Meet Carl Coffey , a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Carl Coffey Content Creator Carl Coffey, a dedicated advocate and active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA), resides in Bowling Green, KY, with his wife Brittany and their lively household of four-legged companions. His journey with the NSA began in 2013, when he attended his first chapter meeting in Richmond, VA, his hometown. This pivotal moment marked the start of his commitment to fostering community and support for individuals who stutter. Professionally, Carl has built a strong career in program management and process improvement. His expertise lies in creating efficient systems and delivering impactful results, qualities that align with his ability to connect with and support others in meaningful ways. His background in improving processes has not only enhanced his professional life but also resonates in his contributions to the NSA and its mission. Outside of work, Carl is a passionate vinyl record collector, always on the hunt for unique finds to add to his collection. An avid pickleball player, he enjoys the camaraderie and competitiveness of the sport. Carl also has a deep appreciation for bourbon, spending time discovering new varieties and learning about the rich history of this iconic spirit. Whether in his professional endeavors, personal hobbies, or involvement with the NSA, Carl brings dedication, curiosity, and a warm sense of community to all he does. His story is a testament to the power of connection, both with people and passions, and his journey continues to inspire those around him.

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.

Meet William Webster, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. William Webster Research Committee Standing Member Dr. William Webster is a retired university professor, a former Dean, and a person who stutters. During the first 22 years of his career, he was a professor and chair of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada with an active research program focused on brain mechanisms underlying stuttering. The results of that research have been published in more than 20 journal articles and several book chapters and have been presented at a number of conferences. He co-authored with Marie Poulos in 1989 a clinical manual entitled, “Facilitating fluency: Transfer strategies for adult stuttering treatment programs” (Tucson, AZ: Communication Skill Builders). In 1991, he was appointed Dean of Social Sciences at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, followed in 2002 as Director of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Western Ontario (now Western University) in London, Ontario. He is currently completing a book to be entitled, “Stuttering and the brain: Reflections on my journey.”

Learn how Cameron Francek,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Technical Delivery Lead Cameron Francek e your daily job duties. I am a Technical Delivery Lead responsible for leading a team of Software Engineers and Business Analysts at Meridian Health Plan. We support an internal software application where our core business and healthcare process are maintained. I oversee all aspects of the software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering, development, promotion and stakeholder relations. We must react quickly to changes in state and federal requirements, ensuring the needs of clients are met, our processes remain compliant and that both our members and providers have an elite experience with Meridian. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. As a leader, effective communication and decision making are critical to the success of our team. In stressful situations where the prevalence of my stuttering may be heightened, I often have to remind myself that my fluency is secondary to the outcome that we are working towards. In those instances, my experience with stuttering allows me to approach the situation with empathy and courage. Ultimately, it’s about delivering the message and outcome required to get the job done whether I stutter or not. 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 am a firm believer in disclosing the fact that I am a person who stutters. In doing so, I am able to better focus on the context of the given situation and better keep the attention of my audience. Getting that disclosure out of the way also displays a level of confident vulnerability which I view as a sign of strength. In my experience, disclosing I stutter empowers others to be themselves and that helps them perform at a higher, more comfortable level. The last thing I want is for people to be wondering what is happening when I stutter, which could prevent people from focusing on the context of our interaction or the task at hand. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being part of a team and working toward a common goal. I hope my stuttering brings a “human” aspect to the team that can sometimes be lost in a results-driven environment. Empowering our people to be themselves, to practice empathy, to be courageous and to work together regardless of differences or insecurities is what I work to offer to Meridian. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Regularly doing things I once thought were impossible, makes me proud. Leading a team of super smart and talented people, giving a status report to our Executive team and even facilitating a conference call are moments I’m grateful for every day. What are your long-term career aspirations? I hope to grow in my leadership role, become a technical expert and one day be the CIO of a Fortune 500 company. 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 and know that you can communicate effectively regardless of stuttering. In fact, I’d argue you communicate effectively because you stutter. Be confident in your abilities, prepare intensely and focus on acting with empathy and courage. Shine bright every day.

Meet Reagan Jesinkey, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Reagan Jesinkey Digital Marketing Coordinator Reagan Jesinkey is a Digital Marketing Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she supports creative content, digital storytelling, and social media efforts that highlight the experiences and voices of teens who stutter. She is a junior in high school and lives in a small town in North Carolina. Reagan brings a strong creative background to her marketing role. She dances competitively and has been a member of her school’s dance team since ninth grade. Her dance journey has taken her to destinations including Costa Rica, Hawaii, Disney, New York, and Los Angeles. Her passion for performance and movement naturally translates into visual storytelling and creative digital work. In addition to dance, Reagan is involved in her school’s film club and enjoys creating magazines and videos that showcase different aspects of high school life. Discovering the National Stuttering Association (NSA) opened new doors for her, helping her build confidence and giving her opportunities to learn while supporting others who stutter. The 2025 NSA Conference in Denver was Reagan’s first conference, and it marked an important milestone in her journey with the stuttering community and Sisters Who Stutter.

Learn how Ronan Miller,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ronan Miller Briefly describe your daily job duties. The project I am currently working on is focused on developing and testing a mobile app to support people who stutter. I feel very grateful to do research into stuttering and particularly into new ways that we can support the stuttering community around the world. My day is normally spent reading research conducted in various different areas, planning and organizing our next research study, and talking to people who stutter about their day-to-day lives and experiences. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I have daily meetings over video calls but they aren’t too much of a problem now, I have become accustomed to them after my time as part of the hosting team at Stutter Social. I think the most challenging part of my job is thinking of ways that we can support people who stutter in the present, whilst working to breakdown barriers so that stuttering won’t hold people back in the future. What are your long-term career aspirations? For many years I taught English as a foreign language and I would love to return to teaching again, particularly to support students who stutter. My dream is to work in some kind of super lab that combines stuttering research, activism, support, and teaching! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? In lots of ways, stuttering is an advantage for me at this point in my life; I work with many other people who stutter and we talk about it openly on a daily basis. Whenever I meet anyone new I am also very open about stuttering, it is never a problem. I let people know my name, my position, that I stutter and that it’s no problem. I am aware some people have had no contact before with people who stutter, or don’t know how to respond to stuttering, so I feel a responsibility to let people know that this is how I speak and that it’s ok. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. My stuttering is a valuable aspect of my contribution at work, it allows me to offer personal, lived insight and to connect with others who also stutter. It has also taught me that communication is not always straightforward, but that patience and respect go a long way to helping others (whether they stutter or not) to feel comfortable. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? I would encourage people to be open about their stuttering, it can be difficult but by doing so you demonstrate leadership, integrity, and resilience, all of which are valuable characteristics in any working environment. My feeling is that people who stutter enrich workplaces and if we can be open about our stuttering we help to foster an atmosphere in which others can be open and vulnerable too.

< Back Teen Advisory Council Spotlight: Rowan Ashby – Confidence, Connection, and Community The NSA’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) comprises passionate and motivated young leaders who serve as mentors and role models for their peers—and Rowan Ashby is a shining example of that spirit. Rowan joined the NSA two years ago, looking for a place to feel understood and supported. What they found was not only a welcoming community but also the confidence to lead, inspire, and dream big. “The NSA has given me newfound confidence,” Rowan shares. “I joined to find a community of people who understood and supported me.” Now an active member of TAC, Rowan works year-round to support fellow teens and create safe, empowering spaces—especially at the Annual Conference, where TAC members help kids and teens connect and grow. Looking ahead, Rowan hopes to start a support group for people who stutter on Long Island, expanding the NSA's reach and building community where it's needed most. Their advice to new members? “There are people who understand you and will accept you as you are.” And when Rowan’s not mentoring others or speaking up for change, they’re diving into some pretty amazing passions: Favorite ice cream: Cookies and cream Pets: One cat and one dog Musical talent: Has played the cello for over 10 years Achievement: Two-time New York State Champion in swimming Rowan’s courage, dedication, and leadership are helping shape a stronger, more inclusive NSA for teens everywhere. Thank you, Rowan, for leading with heart! Previous Next