Learn how Charles White, III,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Secret Service Charles White, III Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m responsible for access control and interior/exterior protection of the White House. I help ensure everyone that walks on the White House complex is authorized from administration staff to visitors for appointments to tourists. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Finding the internal resolve and courage to open my mouth every day and speak to people at work and exercising my constitutional authority with my speech every day. 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 self-disclosed during the application process. I verbally told the polygraph technicians that I stutter. (Polygraph? Remember, I work for the Secret Service.) I also disclose my stutter to co-workers, White House staff, and sometimes to tourists. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I have a different sense of compassion, patience, and understanding than all my non-stuttering co-workers. I find myself not in a rush to get information from people. I let people take their time to speak their truth because what they have to say matters. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Taking my Mom as my guest to the Secret Service holiday party in 2013 and introducing her to President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan on retiring from the Secret Service before I turn 50 years old. By doing so, I’ll be able to pursue my passions and dreams to serve other people full-time. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Believe in yourself. Believe in your potential. Speak your truth. You have the Americans with Disabilities Act on your side and people need to hear your story. What you want to say from your heart matters, and it can positively impact other people.

Meet Alan Vu, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Alan Vu Marketing Coordinator Alan is a speech-language pathologist, digital marketer, small business owner, and person who stutters (in no particular order). His passion lies in raising awareness on stuttering and empowering people with communication differences. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar, photography, and practicing mindfulness.

Join the Sandy - Kids stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Sandy KIDS CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Utah State Welcome to the NSA Sandy 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? Kids What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Meetings are held around the Sandy, UT area. Please reach out to the Chapter Leader to confirm meeting details. When? Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 4:45PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Katharine Emerson Chapter Leader Get in touch! katharine.g.emerson@gmail.com (801) 948-0904 - 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 Russell Stevens, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Russell Stevens Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Russell is a Senior at Vista Del Lago High School in Folsom, California. After attending his first conference in Newport Beach in 2022–where he made many friends along the way–Russell was elated to meet other teens with similar life experiences and strives to help others make the same connections he did. At school, Russell enjoys leading his teams in both football and baseball, and when he is not on the field or in the weight room, he is working towards graduating on the Engineering Design pathway. In his free time, Russell enjoys chilling with his friends and his cat, Jaguar.

Join the Seattle - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Seattle ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Washington State Welcome to the NSA Seattle 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? Meeting are held in the Seattle, WA area. Contact the Chapter Leaders for meeting details. When? Meetings are held on the 1st Sunday of each month from 1:00-2:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Andrew Chekerylla & Ashish Gupta Chapter Leaders Get in touch! westutterinseattle@gmail.com (206) 412-5760 https://tinyurl.com/westutterinseattle 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

Learn how John Finn,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Chief Scientific Advisor (CSO) John Finn Briefly describe your daily job duties. As the CSO of Tome, the Programmable Genomic Integration (PGI) company, I sit on the executive leadership team and lead a team of ~90 scientists in the Research and Development group. My daily job duties include A LOT of meetings! 1:1 meetings with my team members, small or large internal meetings, meetings with potential investors or partners. I also attend conferences and will be giving public presentations over the course of this next year. My primary role is to direct the science at Tome and make sure that we are on track towards turning our gene editing platform into life-changing medicines for patients in need. I spend a lot of time not only managing the science, but also the people involved in this highly collaborative, cross functional effort. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is the unpredictability of my fluency. I have good days and bad days, and it is hard to tell how my fluency will be on any given day. I have learned to introduce myself and my stutter before every meeting or presentation as I find that this not only takes the pressure off of me, but it lets the listener focus more on what I am saying as opposed to wondering what is going on and if I am ok. I also find public speaking very challenging, whether it is talking in front of the whole company at an all-hands meeting, (140 people), or giving presentations at conferences. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am very grateful that I am already have my dream job! I have been working in the field of gene and cell therapy for almost 25 years and this opportunity at Tome, to not only work with such an amazing team, but use ground breaking technology to develop medicine for sick patients, is what I have been waiting for my entire career. 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 almost always disclose my stutter. Over the years, I have found that people appreciate when I am upfront about my stutter. I usually say something like “As you may be able to tell, I have a stutter. It can take me a bit longer to say what I want to say, but don’t worry, everything is fine, this is just the way that I talk. If you ever don’t understand me, please ask me to repeat myself. ” I sometimes will also mention that my brothers stutter, so that people can understand that there is a strong genetic component to stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moment happened right before our company was about to open our next round of financing. We had to raise a lot of money and I did not have any experience with pitching to investors. I was not sure how the Leadership Team (LT) at Tome felt about my stuttering and whether this would potentially hurt our chances by turning away investors. We had a very open conversation about my fluency with the whole LT and while it was a very difficult topic for me to bring up, I left the meeting feeling completely supported by the LT and empowered to represent my research team and highlight the incredible progress they have made. Fast forward a year later, I played a part in probably over 100 meetings with investors and we ended up having a very successful fundraise . It was the incredibly supportive attitude of the LT and their willingness to have a hard conversation about stuttering that I am most proud of. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think stuttering has given me more empathy for others and I think it also helps people connect with me on a personal level. There is a certain level of authenticity that comes with being who you are and this resonates with people. 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! I would also advocate self-disclosing in as many situations as you can. Spend time learning about yourself and factors that affect your fluency (for example, certain things that help with me are getting enough sleep, not eating a big meal right before a presentation, and daily supplementation with B1 vitamin). Try not to limit yourself out of fear. And always remember, after a hard day (whether it is fluency related or not), this too shall pass!

Meet Ryan Millager, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Ryan Millager Research Committee Associate Member Ryan Millager is a PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University, under the research mentorship of Dr. Robin Jones. His research interests include contributing factors to developmental stuttering, support programs for children who stutter, and inclusivity in research. Ryan is also a speech-language pathologist with more than 10 years of experience with stuttering and a long affiliation with SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young and other group programs for children who stutter. Since 2015, Ryan has participated in many NSA activities as a stuttering ally, and in 2022 he was awarded the NSA’s Graduate Student Research Award. Ryan’s hobbies include reading nerdy novels, watching nerdy television shows, playing nerdy games with friends, and making nerdy spreadsheets to keep track of it all. He also enjoys running.

Meet Colton Nover, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Colton Nover Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Colton Nover is a freshman in high school and plays varsity soccer along with academy soccer. In his free time, he likes to work out, coach youth soccer, and help care for animals in his community. Colton lives in Jacksonville, Florida and has been to 7 conferences.

< Back Supporter Spotlight: Amber Toerien | Leading With Care, Building Community When Amber Toerien joined the National Stuttering Association in 2023, she was introduced to something that immediately felt different—a community rooted in understanding, shared experience, and genuine support. What began as a professional introduction quickly became something more meaningful. “Everything the NSA stood for resonated with me. It felt human, intentional, and grounded in real connection.” As the NSA’s Marketing Director, Amber helps guide how the organization shares its mission, resources, and stories with the world. Her work is centered on ensuring that people who stutter—and those who support them—feel welcomed, represented, and encouraged to connect. Whether someone is attending their first chapter meeting, joining a virtual event, or exploring NSA resources online, Amber’s focus is on helping that first step feel less overwhelming and more affirming. Living with high-functioning autism, Amber shares that she tends to deeply invest in work that truly matters to her. The NSA quickly became one of those spaces—a place where purpose, community, and belonging naturally intersected. “The NSA gave me a sense of community I didn’t realize I needed. The support, understanding, and shared experiences have been incredibly meaningful.” Through her role, Amber has been both challenged and supported. She credits the NSA with helping her grow personally and professionally, while also reinforcing the importance of showing up—especially when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. She believes that connection often begins with a small, courageous step. That belief shapes how she approaches her work every day: creating pathways into community, reducing barriers to participation, and making sure people know they are not alone. For anyone considering getting involved with the NSA, Amber offers this encouragement: “Show up for yourself. Whether it’s attending a chapter meeting, joining a virtual event, or simply reaching out, the NSA is a place where you can find understanding, connection, and support.” Get to Know Amber Favorite ice cream: Chocolate Nature pick: The beach Favorite rewatch: The Notebook Favorite Song: Stephen Wilson Jr. - "Stand By Me" Pets: Two dogs Hidden talent: Interior design dreams and transforming outdated homes into Pinterest-worthy spaces Dream vacation: Mexico or Malta Amber’s work reflects the heart of the NSA—community, care, and connection. Through her leadership, she helps ensure that the NSA continues to be a place where people who stutter and their supporters feel seen, heard, and supported at every stage of their journey. We’re grateful for Amber and for everything she brings to the NSA community. Previous Next

< Back Previous Jennifer Downs Presenter Jennifer Downs is a mother to a person who stutters (PWS) and understands firsthand the importance of support and encouragement through the NSA. With Nashville, Tennessee, being her family's hometown, her son attended college out of state and faced his own specific challenges along the way. Family and friends can play a special role in a PWS’s support system during the college years. Over the past 6 years of her son’s college journey, Jennifer has learned helpful (and not so helpful) ways to lend support when needed. Next

Join the Baltimore City - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Baltimore City ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - Maryland State Welcome to the NSA Baltimore City 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? Ella Bailey Recreation Center – 100 E. Heath Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:00PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Evan Draine Chapter Leader Get in touch! evanmdraine@gmail.com (410) 396-4634 - 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 Aidan Marshall-Cort, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Aidan Marshall-Cort Young Adults Committee Chair Aidan Marshall-Cort is a Health and Wellness Professional serving as the Co-Chapter Leader of the NSA's Washington DC Chapter. Alongside contributing to the community and supporting PWS in the DC area, he enjoys speaking on the relationship between stuttering, race, and neurodiversity. A passionate advocate, Aidan understands the empowering effect of vulnerability to foster open discussion amongst those who identify within these intersectionality's. In his free time, Aidan enjoys competitive weightlifting, chess, and cinema.