Learn how Ashley DeVitto,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. CT and X-ray Technologist Ashley DeVitto Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a CT and X-Ray Technologist, I use equipment to produce images of human anatomy which helps Radiologists diagnose a wide variety of diseases, disorders, etc. This means that I prepare the room for the exam, call the patient from the waiting room, explain the procedure, and then perform the X-Ray or CT using different positioning of the patient and different protocols to be followed. It often means starting an IV or asking several questions to a patient. I then send the images and information to the Radiologist for it to be read for a diagnosis. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. As many of us who stutter know, speaking on the phone can be our nightmare. I often have Doctors calling and asking about protocols or looking for a reading on an exam I’ve completed. This can be daunting as some people are impatient and not always kind. While they aren’t always directly rude, you can sometimes feel their impatience which only makes me more anxious, making it more difficult to speak. One of the most challenging things for me is calling people from the waiting room to come in for their exam. Sometimes the room is full and I open the door to have several heads look up at me in anticipation. I often freeze in this moment and the name doesn’t always come out. Funny how we develop habits over time to help us get by. Sometimes, I say “Mister” so and so before the name because it’s easier for me to say. Or I’ll just use their first name, or just their last, whatever I think will come out easier. Regardless, it’s stressful. Then once the name comes out, I wonder if the patient is thinking that I’m incompetent and can’t be trusted to perform their procedure. There have been two times in my fifteen years in my job that I have been asked for a different technologist once I start speaking. Ironically, the one they end up with is usually less experienced. Fortunately, I have a great support system and a boyfriend who talks me down when I’m on edge, and who meets me for lunch to get me through a tough day. Stick with those you know you can count on. There’s no shame in confiding in someone and shedding tears when things get to be too much. 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 did not disclose my stutter during my initial interview. It, pun intended, speaks for itself. I do disclose it to some patients when they seem irritated or impatient or make the comment that we get all the time, “What, you don’t know your own name?” Most people are understanding and kind. My name is the hardest thing for me to say. Go figure. If I stumble on my words, I will sometimes say, “I do have a speech difference and it may take a moment for me to get it out, but I assure you that you are in good hands.” Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. My speech has definitely made me a humble, empathetic person which is greatly needed in the healthcare field. I can sympathize with anxiety and fear that I may not otherwise understand. It has made me a patient person in knowing that sometimes anxiety, or other challenges, aren’t always seen by the naked eye. We don’t know what someone is experiencing in their lives, just as people don’t know I stutter, until they do. Kindness is key. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moments come from patients that commend me on a great job. I’ve had several people tell me that I am in the field I’m meant for, that I have a calming nature, or that I made something scary very easy. Some patients have even requested me by name. Moments like that are the ones I carry with me from day to day at work. What are your long-term career aspirations? Long term, my goal has always been to be a Doctor. Truth be told, I didn’t go for it after high school out of fear. How could someone who stutters get the words out fast enough to save someones life? It has taken many years to see my value in this field and to know that my stutter is exactly what would make me a better Doctor. I’ve taken some classes through a program run by Harvard Medical School and am slowly working my way there. While it may never happen at this rate, with working full time and being a single mother of two, I am eager to learn which will only benefit myself and career in the long run. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? My biggest advice would be to be proud of your stutter and learn to accept it. This does not come overnight. I struggled for years and would have done anything to make it go away. Time, growth, vulnerability, and life experience has taught me that I was made just how I was intended. Think about it, when we see someone with a disability, do we make fun or think any less of them? No. We are often amazed by what they overcome and how they persevere. Be that person. Let people see that nothing can stop you.

Meet Erica Perez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Erica Perez Conference Coordinator Erica Perez works part-time in the Admissions and Records Office at Fullerton College, supporting students and staff with enrollment services. She has been a dedicated member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2002, contributing in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles that support the NSA’s mission. With a background in hospitality spanning 18 years, Erica brings valuable experience in customer service and team leadership. She lives in Anaheim with her husband, Aaron, and their two children, Lily and AJ, and is actively involved in their school PTAs.

Join the Bay Area - Teen stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Bay Area, California TEENS CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Bay Area Teen 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? Teens 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? Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of each month between 5:00 - 6:00 PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Sridhar Ramaswamy & Charan Sridhar Chapter Leaders Get in touch! nsa.bayarea.speech@gmail.com +14083654341 - 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 James Hayden,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. HLA Technologist James Hayden Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work in the flow cytometry and DNA sections of Ochsner Health’s Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Lab. I assist with preliminary workups for those in need of an organ transplant, as well as, potential donors. In the flow section, I test to see if there is a reaction between the antigens of a potential donor versus the antigens of a potential recipient, in order to reduce organ rejection. I also test to see if there is a reaction between the patient’s antibodies vs the patient’s antigens, in order to identify auto immune disorders. In the DNA section, I isolate and test donor and recipient DNA to identify their HLA profiles. Other responsibilities include: testing for various diseases (ex. Celiac disease and psoriatic arthritis), quality control of instruments, as well as, reagents, and DNA typing of deceased donors. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone is the most challenging part of my job. Nearly every day I’m on the phone with someone to see where a sample is, confirm a test that we need to run, report results, confirm donor information, and/or confirm patient information. For the most part, I talk to the same group of people about these issues. By this point, they all know I stutter and it’s a non-issue. However, if I am talking to someone new and I begin to stutter I will disclose that I am a PWS, after the stuttering moment ends. 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 disclosed indirectly. On my resume, I listed my book, Dear World, I Stutter, and various published articles, but my stutter did not come up during my interview. In the past two year and a half years, I’ve become more comfortable with disclosing my stutter. Whenever I meet a new co-worker, I disclose by saying, “You may have noticed that I stutter. All I ask is that you don’t finish my sentences and keep eye contact with me when I stutter. If you have any questions about stuttering, then don’t hesitate to ask me.” What is your proudest moment at your current company? Being selected to give a TED talk at Ochsner’s inaugural TEDx event is my proudest moment. Not only is it the proudest of my time at Ochsner, but it’s one of the proudest moments of my life. What are your long-term career aspirations? Although I like what I do, I want to transition to the corporate side of Ochsner. My ideal role would be in internal employee development. I would also like expand my writing and public speaking opportunities. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Disclose the fact that you are a person who stutters as soon as possible. Disclosing allows for the “awkwardness” of stuttering to instantly disappear. Also, don’t allow your stutter to hold you back from going for a project, promotion, or a new opportunity.

Meet Hazel Johnson, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Hazel Johnson Sisters Who Stutter Public Outreach Coordinator Hazel Johnson is the Public Outreach Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she supports community engagement, outreach initiatives, and relationship-building that help expand awareness and connection within the stuttering community. She is a senior in high school from Lincoln, Nebraska, and an active leader within the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Hazel is a member of the NSA Teen Advisory Council and currently serves as TAC Chair, bringing strong leadership, collaboration, and advocacy skills to her work. She has attended Camp SAY since 2022, with the 2024 NSA Conference in St. Louis marking her first national conference experience. These experiences have shaped her commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for teens who stutter. In her outreach role, Hazel helps connect SWS with teens, families, and community partners, supporting initiatives that encourage participation, visibility, and peer support. Her background in leadership and service includes serving as Vice President of the National Honor Society, mentoring through the Unified Track program, and participating on her high school dance team. Hazel plans to pursue political science and community development, with a long-term goal of advancing advocacy-driven work. Outside of her leadership roles, she enjoys spending time with friends and her golden doodle, Wilder, making açaí bowls at her job, reading, and traveling. Hazel’s passion for outreach, leadership, and community connection makes her a powerful voice within Sisters Who Stutter and the broader stuttering community.

Get to know the dedicated team behind the National Stuttering Association. Meet the people driving change and support. We have a small but mighty crew here building safe, empowering spaces for courage and lasting change for people who stutter. Board Of Directors DEI Committee Seasoned Voices Committee Regional Chapter Coordinators Research Committee Sisters Who Stutter Professional Relations Committee The Team Support Circle Teen Advisory Council We Stutter @ Work Committee Young Adult Committee Board Of Directors Board Of Directors The NSA Board of Directors is a dedicated group of volunteers who pour their time, talent, and creativity into this organization. Together with our leadership team and staff, they keep our mission strong and ensure the NSA continues to support the stuttering community with care and purpose. CHAD MANNISI CHAIR MICHAEL BELLMAN TREASURER HOLLY NOVER FAMILY PROGRAMS CHAIR COURTNEY LUCKMAN PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS CHAIR ANDREW BOWERS ADVOCACY & EDUCATION CO-CHAIR ARNEE GOMEZ VICE CHAIR & SECRETARY TYLER CLEMENS ADVOCACY & EDUCATION CO-CHAIR TANYA BANKS ADULT PROGRAMS CHAIR ANGELA MEDINA RESEARCH CHAIR ILYA FILMUS LEGAL COUNSEL For more about who we are, what we do, and how we move the mission forward, take a look at our 2025 Impact Report . Contact Board of Directors Staff The Team We are powered by a tight-knit, roll-up-your-sleeves team that gets stuff done. We're strategists and subject matter experts, effective storytellers, passionate community builders, and innovative problem-solvers. Some of us stutter. Some of us don't. But all of us are just as deeply committed to the stuttering community and every single person who finds their way to us. With our unstoppable volunteers and trusted contractors, we aim to make people who stutter feel heard, supported, empowered, and understood. Everything we create is about the connection and impact. We provide support that actually changes lives and push for conversations that move the needle when it comes to stuttering. Before remote work was trendy, we were already mastering it—collaborating across time zones, innovating on the fly, and staying deeply connected to the people we serve. Flexibility, creativity, and intentionality are how we operate. We're proud of what we've built, but even more proud of how our team is there for one another and also for the stuttering community with thoughtfulness and care. For more about who we are, what we do, and how we move the mission forward, take a look at our 2025 Impact Report. TAMMY FLORES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMBER TOERIEN MARKETING DIRECTOR ARIEL SONN DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT TAYLOR WORSHAM COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR MELISSA SANCHEZ CONFERENCE COORDINATOR SARAH ONOFRI FAMILY PROGRAMS COORDINATOR MICHELLE MADSEN GEIGER GRAPHIC DESIGN HALEY TOTHEROW SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Contact Us Supporters Support Circle We're a lean team by design. The NSA's impact is powered by a small group of dedicated staff, committed volunteers, and trusted partners who step up time and time again. Behind the scenes, these talented and passionate people make the NSA what it is. Their time, talent, and belief in this mission keep us moving forward—and that commitment is what drives everything we accomplish. ALAN VU MARKETING COORDINATOR CHRISTY POMARO PHOTOGRAPHER STEVE ERNST AUDIO VISUAL COORDINATOR ERICA PEREZ CONFERENCE COORDINATOR MOLLY PORZEL OUTREACH COORDINATOR MICHAEL LIBEN LEGAL COUNSEL SARAH ARMSTRONG COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR CARL COFFEY CONTENT CREATOR MOLLY STEVENSON KIDS PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR KERRI BERARD KIDS PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR DAVE ROSS VOLUNTEER LEE LOWMAN VOLUNTEER JIM LOWMAN VOLUNTEER LILY PEREZ VOLUNTEER Regional Chapter Coordinators Regional Chapter Coordinators Regional Chapter Coordinators (RCCs) partner closely with local Chapter Leaders, fellow RCCs, Adult & Family Programs Chairs, and Staff to keep our network of Local Chapters running strong—ensuring every community has the support, connection, and guidance it needs at the local level. TANYA BANKS ADULT PROGRAMS CHAIR: CENTRAL NORTH & NORTHEAST REGIONS SARAH ONOFRI FAMILY PROGRAMS COORDINATOR PAMELA MERTZ ADULT CHAPTERS: SOUTHEAST REGION LEXI HEWITT ADULT CHAPTERS: SOUTHWEST REGION ANDREW CHEKERYLLA ADULT CHAPTERS: NORTHWEST REGION ARIANNA GILLIAM ADULT CHAPTERS: CENTRAL SOUTH REGION AMANDA ELIAS ADULT CHAPTERS: MID-ATLANTIC REGION KERRI BERARD FAMILY CHAPTERS Professional Relations Committee COURTNEY LUCKMAN CAITLIN FRANCHINI JODI REINSTEIN DR. MEGAN YOUNG Professional Relations Committee The Professional Relations Committee builds meaningful connections across the professional community and champions the interests of the NSA and its members. We work to strengthen the involvement of speech‑language pathologists (SLPs) within the NSA community. Our goal is simple and bold: to ensure every SLP knows about the NSA and the vital role we play in supporting people who stutter. Contact Professional Relations Older Adults Committee Seasoned Voices Committee Adults over 50 are the NSA's fastest‑growing group, focusing on connection, mentoring, and expanding our 'stuttering family.' The Seasoned Voices Committee brings a warm, seasoned perspective to other committees, offering insights on workshops, events, and late‑life planning, fostering support and connection among those aged 50 and beyond. TANYA BANKS PAULA CAMPBELL-SCHWAB ELIZABETH EDWARDS VICKI BENSON SCHUTTER JIM MCCLURE STACEY DEDERING DOUG HARRIS BRET DENNING Join Facebook Group Teen Advisory Council Teen Advisory Council The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) is a group of motivated and respected teens who play a meaningful role in the NSA family. The role of the TAC is to show strong leadership qualities and serve as role models and mentors to their peers and younger members of Family Programs within the NSA. HAZEL JOHNSON IAN SHOOK MAYA SINGAL ELLIOT BELLMAN LINUS SIMNER ROWAN ASHBY SIDDHARTH TRIPATHI COLTON NOVER CHLOE SWIDLER ERICA MILLIN ALYSSA KALWASINSKI View TAC Guidelines Sisters Who Stutter Sisters Who Stutter The NSA is proud to collaborate with our affiliate, Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), a teen-founded girl group whose mission is to empower and support all girls who stutter. You’ll find us on Instagram (@SistersWhoStutter) where we inspire and uplift each other! DM us to participate in our regular Zoom calls. Together, we’re embracing the power of our voices. Join the Sisterhood! CAITNEY CO-CHAIR MAYA CO-CHAIR HAZEL PUBLIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR ROWAN MEMBER OUTREACH COORDINATOR CHLOE MEMBER OUTREACH COORDINATOR ALYSSA PUBLIC OUTREACH COORDINATOR JOLIE DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR REAGAN DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Follow on Instagram WeStutter @ Work Committee WeStutter@Work Committee The National Stuttering Association (NSA) is driven to improve the employment opportunities of people who stutter, and our WeStutter@Work Committee works together to create and oversee and implement initiatives that eliminate the workplace stigmas to improve employment outcomes for people who stutter and inform, inspire and equip people who stutter to improve their workplace opportunities. ABHISHEK AGARWAL PAMELA MERTZ CHRIS MONELLO-JOHNSON MADISON NICHOLS MIA WOLTMAN ALONZO JONES, JR BARRY SHAUL View WeStutter@Work Resources Research Committee Research Committee We are advancing both knowledge and understanding of stuttering through our support of research. As the largest stuttering support organization in North America, with access to large numbers of individuals and families affected by stuttering, the NSA recognizes its unique potential for helping the research community. To that end, the NSA Research Committee was established to support scholarly stuttering research while taking a vested interest in the well‐being of the NSA and its members. ANGELA MEDINA CHARLEY ADAMS DANIELLE WERLE DEREK DANIELS DOMINIQUE KENNEDY MONICA JOHNSON PAULA D'ARCANGELO RYAN MILLAGER View Research Initiatives Young Adult Committee Young Adults Committee High school or college graduation marks a new chapter. College or career? What about stuttering? Will it limit your choices? Connect with NSA members who’ve been there. The NSA Young Adults program bridges 20-somethings and 30-somethings, addressing issues like job interviews, dating, and careers. AIDAN MARSHALL-CORT TATUM MACHNICA CAMERON JOYCE DR. EDDIE BROWN ELIZABETH MINTON TREVOR MORAN KAELA COYE View Young Adults Program DEI Committee DEI Committee The DEI Committee is dedicated to evaluating and advancing outreach and advocacy initiatives within the NSA to support underrepresented groups. This includes, but is not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); speakers of languages other than English, and the LGBTQAI+ community. The committee will also promote diverse representations of stuttering, throughout the organization. GABRIELA PEREZ ASHLEIGH GIVENS JEREMIAH WILLIAMS ALICIA VASQUEZ JULIE MARSHALL VERONICA WASHINGTON DAVID RICHARDS View Our DEI Policy Want to Get Involved? Our organization thrives on the passion and dedication of our volunteers. There are many ways to contribute your time and talents. Support Our Mission

Learn how Leah Graham,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Social Worker Leah Graham Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am responsible for determining and maintaining eligibility for Subsidized Childcare Assistance. I maintain a caseload of roughly 250 families and I’m responsible for making updates to their cases and to their care. My day to day responsibilities include interacting with parents and childcare providers in an effort to provide care to the citizens of Mecklenburg County. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone is definitely the most challenging part of my job. Every situation is different so having to recall the various State or County policies, apply it to the situation or case and then relay the information to the parent or provider in a way that can be easily understood sometimes poses a challenge. It is also challenging to portray confidence over the phone. I sometimes feel like people may think I am not sure of what I am talking about. To combat that, I always reiterate or summarize what I said back to whoever I am speaking to. 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 did disclose that I stutter during the job hiring process. At my interview I actually brought the Employers resource brochure that the NSA has on its website for people who stutter and passed it out to the interviewers. I love that brochure so much because it really paints an accurate picture of what it’s like having a person who stutters as an employee. The brochure highlights many positive traits people who stutter possess without sounding cheesy or unbelievable. I also verbally disclosed that I stutter and welcomed any questions. Since COVID-19 we have been taking applications over the phone and I have started saying a blanket statement of: “Before we get started, I just want to let you know that I stutter, if something is unclear, please just let me know and I will be more than happy to repeat it”. I love that statement because I am not apologizing for stuttering, I am simply focused on making sure the information is relayed and that my client understands. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering itself is just so vulnerable. I believe that openly stuttering really offers a piece of authenticity that I am not sure I would otherwise possess. In the Human Services field, connection is important. Being able to connect with clients, coworkers and other members of the community is such a huge plus and I attribute my ability to do so to stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Oh man, my proudest moment was definitely hosting a Zoom call at work for National Stuttering Awareness Day this year. I talked about stuttering and stuttering in the workplace. The call was everything I hoped it would be and more. My co-workers were engaged and asked some really amazing and profound questions. It was really cool seeing my two worlds collide. What are your long-term career aspirations? Because of my stutter I remember being younger and marking lawyer off of my “what I want to be when I grow up list”. There was no question that being a lawyer and a person who stutters just did not mix. But now I am studying for the LSAT! I want to be a lawyer. For 5 years I have been enforcing State policy, now I want to create it. 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 KIND TO YOURSELF. That is my advice. Just be kind to yourself. I know that I am not 100% confident in myself as a person who stutters every second of every day, and I have learned that that is OK! Being a person who stutters while trying to achieve success in the workplace is not easy. Picture the Spongebob meme where he is wiping off his forehead and leaning against a wall, THAT’S ME SOMEDAYS! And guess what? It is ok. Wipe your forehead and lean against that wall because some days, we need it.

Meet Mandy Finstad, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Mandy Finstad Communications Coordinator Mandy has been an active part of the NSA since 2009, and currently resides in the mountains of Northern Virginia with her husband, PWS Jean Finstad, and their Irish Wolfhound, Granger. She graduated from George Mason University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology and continued on to graduate studies at The Catholic University of America and University of Ulster. Mandy has been invited to speak to several groups and has given many interviews on being the spouse of a person who stutters, and has also written an e-book chapter on the topic. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, yoga, reading, knitting, true crime podcasts, craft beer, and spending time with Jean and Granger.