< Back Previous Caitney File Presenter Caitney File is the Co-President of Sisters Who Stutter (SWS). She enjoys planning meetings, coordinating future events and outreach with the other officers in SWS, and hearing from other girls who stutter! Caitney is currently a sophomore at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, majoring in Social Work. Next

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Learn how Brittany Dahl,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Brittany Dahl Briefly describe your daily job duties. Treating and caring for critically ill patients in the intensive care units at UK Hospital. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Speaking to a variety of people every day unsure of their experiences with a person who stutters. The mental exhaustion of stuttering in a very stressful working environment. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am a Mom of two little girls 5 years old and younger, and the time demands of my current position can be difficult for work-life balance. Moving towards a position with more “regular hours” in the future is my priority at this time. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did not self-disclose in the hiring process. I guess at that time, now 11 years ago, I considered myself a “convert stutterer”. Throughout my life I had only heard a handful of individuals disclose. I didn’t personally know anyone who stuttered until I was at least 28 years old. The benefits of disclosing are wonderful for mental psyche. I am still new to it, but there are days where I am experiencing A LOT of struggle and embracing “saying what I what to say”. A disclosure to my attendings or coworkers before rounds, “I am a person who stutters. If any information needs to be clarified, let me know”. I am still struggling with a brief disclosure to the less formal conversations. Like the snickers from people in causal interactions, or the “looks” when people hear an interruption in fluency. What is your proudest moment at your current company? During my 11 year career as a nurse, I have been a clinical instructor, co-director of APP fellowship and assistant professor for pathophysiology. When I see former students or trainees who have chosen to work in the intensive care setting or who are thriving in their current careers, I am proud to be a part of their journey. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. When speaking to family members about critical, life or death topics, a brief disclosure I feel shows empathy and vulnerability. I am sharing something personal about myself, let me help you through one of the worst times in your life. I am excellent listener and I am very observant, both are key to providing holistic care to my patients. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? As a person who stutters, remember your best attribute is resiliency. You can do anything. I have helped in research publications and even written a book chapter. I never imagined a little girl who stutters from a small town in Kentucky would ever have this amount of career success at the age of 32. Again, you can do anything. Keep pushing through the laughs, the snickers and “the looks”. The years of my shame lead to anxiety and depression. Through therapy, medication and the support of my family, I made the decision to start speech therapy at the age of 31 and start to accept my stutter. Keep learning and evolving to slowly accept your voice, your unique communication.

Meet Sarah Onofri, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Sarah Onofri Family Programs Coordinator Sarah Onofri has been involved in the 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.

Join the Washington, DC - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Washington, DC FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - District of Columbia Welcome to the NSA Washington, DC 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? Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States When? 3rd Sunday of the Month 3:30 pm Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jocelin Fewx & Mandy Rodstrom Chapter Leaders Get in touch! DCFamNSA@gmail.com (503) 822-8329 https://westutter.org/chapter/washington-dc-family/ 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 Nihar Mahapatra Presenter Nihar Mahapatra, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. His research interests include computer architecture & VLSI and parallel and high-performance computing. In these areas, he has published more than 50 papers in leading refereed journals, conferences, and workshops, and has also contributed invited papers. Nihar is the PI of the HeardAI project. Next

< Back Previous Tim Flynn Presenter Tim Flynn stutters with the best of them and has been a part of the NSA somewhere between forever and an eternity. He grew up in the Washington D.C. area and currently works as a speech pathologist in Arlington, VA. Tim is the co-chapter leader of the Washington D.C. chapter. He has published multiple studies measuring and altering stuttering stereotypes. He is an active and passionate member of the stuttering community and has presented multiple workshops for NSA and other conferences over the years. In his spare time, Tim enjoys living his best bro life in the gym, eating food erasing any gym progress, and finding humor in everyday life. Next

< Back Previous Cameron Joyce Presenter Cameron Joyce is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and currently lives there with his wife, Avery, and works as a senior associate at JPMorgan. He studied economics and computer science at Wofford College and is pursuing a graduate degree in AI at UT Austin. He’s served on the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Young Adult Committee since 2022, leads the NSA Charlotte Chapter, and enjoys mentoring people who stutter, as well as mountain biking, beekeeping, and Formula 1. Next

Meet Andrew Bowers, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Andrew Bowers Advocacy & Education Co-Chair Andrew is a person who stutters and a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in school-based therapy, in addition to training and mentoring other Speech Therapists. Since 2008, he has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). His contributions include helping to develop the Young Adults Program for NSA Conferences and previously serving on the NSA Special Projects Committee. Locally, he held the position of Adult Chapter Leader in Dallas, TX, for five years. Beyond his work with the NSA, Andrew leads several global online support groups on Reddit and Discord. Residing in the Dallas, TX area, Andrew lives with his wife and two children. He enjoys adventuring with his daughters, playing board games and role-playing games, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide. Term began June 2024

< Back Previous Hayley Stuckey Presenter Hayley Stuckey is a Pre-Business student at Brigham Young University. She is in her third term on the Teen Advisory Council and is one of the Co-Presidents of Sisters Who Stutter. Charlotte will be her fourth Annual Conference and she’s excited to see friends and meet new ones. In August, Hayley is leaving on an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Next

Join the Charlotte - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Charlotte ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - North Carolina State Welcome to the NSA Charlotte 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? As we search for our new long-term home for meetings, our October 14th gathering will be held at Independence Regional Library: 📍 Independence Regional Library 6000 Conference Drive Charlotte, NC 28212 https://www.cmlibrary.org/locations/Independence-Regional 🗓 Tuesday, October 14th at 6:45 PM When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:45 to 7:45 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Stuart Cook & Cameron Joyce Chapter Leaders Get in touch! charlottestutters@gmail.com 843-861-6636 - 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 Gina Waggot Presenter Gina Waggott is a writer and former BBC professional with a career spanning broadcasting, journalism, and disability advocacy. She is a person who stutters and is active in several nonprofits serving the global stuttering community and its allies. She is the author of Scatman John: The Remarkable Story of the World's Unlikeliest Popstar. Next