Meet Vicki Benson Schutter, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Vicki Benson Schutter Seasoned Voices Committee Vicki Benson Schutter has been an active member of the NSP/NSA since the Houston chapter was founded in 1985. She is a former NSA Board Member and has also been a Houston chapter leader. Vicki lives with her husband Steve and their kitty Ginger. She is retired and enjoying the quiet life after 34 years of work at Rice University. Her hobbies include taking care of Steve, subservience to her cat, wine tasting, and watching Jeopardy with Steve (which sometimes includes yelling at the TV).

< Back Previous Ariel Sonn Presenter Ariel Sonn is a person who stutters and has been involved with the National Stuttering Association since 2015. Ariel’s stuttering journey has taken her from an angsty, incredulous kid to an outspoken and fierce advocate for the stuttering community. She is particularly passionate about helping people who stutter find and build confidence in the workplace. Ariel is the author of a stuttering and lifestyle blog and a member of the WeStutter@Work committee. Outside of the NSA, Ariel is a Creative Marketing Specialist and enjoys running, yoga, traveling, and makeup. Next

< Back Previous Sarah Onofri Presenter Sarah Onofri has been involved in the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2006. She is the NSA Family Programs Coordinator and is a co-leader of both the NSA Boston Adult Chapter and Family Chapter. She teaches English as a Second Language at an elementary school. Next

< Back Elizabeth Minton’s Journey from Feeling Lost to Leading with Purpose When Elizabeth Minton developed an acquired stutter five years ago, she didn’t know where to turn. She felt isolated and uncertain—until she found the National Stuttering Association. “The NSA gave me a whole new community of amazing people and helped inspire me to become an SLP.” Now, four years into her involvement with the NSA, Elizabeth uses her experience to help others navigate their journeys. The NSA’s impact on Elizabeth has been both personal and professional. It opened doors, built friendships, and gave her the courage to chase a new dream: becoming an SLP. Elizabeth encourages new members to lean in with openness: “Be open to new friendships and new things.” And that spirit of courage has always been part of who she is. She was the first woman on her undergraduate university’s Ultimate Frisbee team—breaking barriers before she even knew she’d be helping others do the same in the stuttering world. Let’s get to know Elizabeth a little better: Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Birthday Cake Favorite movie to rewatch: The Emperor’s New Groove Karaoke go-to: Anything by Panic! At The Disco Tea lover: especially a good cup of English Breakfast Dream vacation: Italy We’re grateful for Elizabeth’s leadership, passion, and vulnerability. No matter how your journey with stuttering begins, there is always a place for you here—and a way to turn your story into strength. Previous Next

Meet Chadwick Hedgepeth, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Chadwick Hedgepeth Young Adults Committee CJ currently lives in Virginia and is a recent graduate from the University of Virginia’s Speech Pathology Program. CJ became interested in the field of Speech Pathology through his history receiving Speech services himself for his stutter. CJ is currently a Speech Pathologist working in a Virginia School System in addition to an outpatient clinic. His special interests in the field include Stuttering and AAC. He is passionate about helping other people who stutter find confidence in speaking even if it’s with having a stutter. Alongside being a Young Adults Committee member, CJ also co-runs the Charlottesville Virginia NSA Chapter and has presented on Stuttering and Stuttering best practices related to treatment and evaluation at conferences and seminars. Some of CJ’s hobbies include painting, reading, and playing music.

Review the NSA’s Conflict of Interest Statement to understand our commitment to ethical practices and transparency. Conflict of Interest Statement 1. No employee, officer, director, agent (“Chapter Leader, Regional Chapter Coordinator”) shall perform services for a competitor organization, if this could result in a conflict of interest. Every employee, officer, director, agent who wishes to perform services for a competitor organization shall disclose this information to the Adult Program Co-Chairs (or in the case of a director, to the board), including the name of the organization, the services to be performed, and the estimated time necessary for performance. Written permission must be obtained from the National Stuttering Association before the services can be performed. If the National Stuttering Association (“NSA”), in its sole and absolute discretion, determines that there is a potential conflict of interest, permission may be denied. The employee, officer, director, or agent understands that the National Stuttering Association is under no obligation to approve the performance of the services, and that the National Stuttering Association may arbitrarily and in its sole discretion, deny permission to the employee, officer, director, or agent. 2. Employees, officers, directors, and agents may consult with outside organizations as long as no conflict of interest exists. The Board of Directors shall have the final say as to what constitutes a conflict of interest. 3. No employee, officer, director, or agent shall participate in the selection, award or administration of a contract, where, to their knowledge, the employee’s, officer’s, director’s, chapter leader’s, agent’s, or regional chapter coordinator’s immediate family or partner has a financial interest. The financial interest must be fully disclosed to the board prior to commencement of the selection process. 4. No employee, officer, director, or agent shall participate in the selection, award or administration of a contract, where, to their knowledge, the employee, officer, director, agent, chapter leader or regional chapter coordinator, or their immediate family or partner is negotiating for or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment without full disclosure to the Board. 5. No officer, employee, director, or agent, shall solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of substantial monetary value from contractors or potential contractors. 6. No individual shall be employed by the National Stuttering Association in a position over which a member of their immediate family exercises supervisory authority. 7. No individual may perform services for which they receive compensation from the National Stuttering Association, while a member of their immediate family serves on the Board of Directors. Exceptions can be made at the request of the Executive Director by approval of the Board. 8. No current member of the Board of Directors shall be eligible for employment with the National Stuttering Association or in any program operated by the National Stuttering Association. Immediate family as used above shall include: husband, wife, domestic partner, mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. Definition of agent: An agent, in legal terminology, is a person who has been legally empowered to act on behalf of another person or an entity (NSA). The agent may be given decision-making authority.

Join the Riverside - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Riverside - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Riverside 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? Cal Baptist University Health Science Campus – Room #A7 3532 Monroe Street Riverside, CA 92504 When? Meetings are held from 5:00-6:30PM on the 3rd Sunday of the following months: September, November, January, March, May, July. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Cynthia Sandoval & Johanna Pulliam Chapter Leaders Get in touch! nsariversidefam@gmail.com (951) 347-1691 - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 Previous Lexi Hewitt Presenter Lexi Hewitt is a certified K-12 school counselor and has a National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certification. She has been a member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2019 and volunteers as the Chapter Leader for the NSA Southeastern Pennsylvania Family Chapter, which she started in 2023. She is also the NSA Regional Chapter Coordinator for the Southwest region. She loves singing along to Taylor Swift, nerding out about TV shows, and being a person who stutters. Next

Join the Lubbock - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Lubbock - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Lubbock 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? Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic 3601 4th Street, Suite 2A300 (2nd floor, Pod A, next to the cafeteria) Lubbock, TX 79430 Park in lot A-0 on the far east side of the HSC; enter through the far east staircase. **See TTUHSC map: https://www.fiscal.ttuhsc.edu/parkingserv/maps.aspx When? Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6:30-7:30 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Molly Augustine Chapter Leader Get in touch! Molly.M.Augustine@gmail.com (214) 991-2059 - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 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!

Partner with the National Stuttering Association to support people who stutter, fund impactful programs, and build more inclusive workplaces. Explore partnership opportunities today. Corporate Partnerships Build something meaningful with the stuttering community. The NSA has supported people who stutter for over 45 years. Partner with us to create more inclusive workplaces, fund life-changing programs, and connect your organization to a cause that matters. Start a Partnership View Partnership Levels Our Impact & Reach Partner with an organization making a real difference 70M+ People worldwide who stutter 7.7M People reached by NSA communications nationwide in 2025 51,000+ Educational resource accessed in 2025 164 Active local chapters nationwide PARTNERSHIPS Partnership Opportunities Select the partnership level that best reflects your ongoing commitment and capacity. Founding Partner $50,000+ Gain maximum visibility and collaborate with NSA leadership to co-create initiatives that reflect our aligned goals and values and drive the biggest impact. Includes: All Champion Partner benefits Co-development of signature programs Premier conference recognition Quarterly briefings with NSA leadership Custom employee engagement plan Dedicated partnership manager Premier placement across all NSA materials Start Partnership Champion Partner $25,000–$49,999 Activate strong visibility and meaningful employee engagement that signals a lasting organizational commitment. Includes: All Supporting Partner benefits Program naming opportunities Conference VIP access and recognition Bi-annual impact reports Employee volunteer coordination Logo placement across NSA materials Social media collaboration Start Partnership Supporting Partner $10,000–$24,999 Drive specific programs or events, with meaningful recognition and employee engagement. Includes: Conference program listing NSA website recognition Quarterly email feature Recognition in event materials Annual impact summary Employee engagement opportunities Social media recognition Start Partnership Community Partner $5,000–$9,999 A foundational partnership that connects your organization to the stuttering community and demonstrates your commitment to inclusion with room to grow. Includes: Conference program listing NSA website recognition Quarterly email feature Start Partnership All partnerships are flexible and can be tailored to your organization's goals. Not sure where to start? We're happy to talk through what makes sense for you. Contact Us

Join the Columbus - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Columbus - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL NORTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Ohio State Welcome to the NSA Columbus 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? Ohio State University Pressey Hall - Room 99 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210 When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. Our first meeting is October 15, 2026. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Eddie Brown Chapter Leader Get in touch! columbus.family@westutter.org - - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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