Meet Amber Toerien, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Amber Toerien Marketing Director Amber Toerien has been part of the NSA community since 2023, bringing passion and dedication to her role as Marketing Director. Living with high-functioning autism, Amber’s connection to the NSA is deeply personal and natural. She champions the NSA’s mission by leading impactful digital campaigns that amplify awareness and support for people who stutter. Amber believes in showing up for yourself and says, “The support and connection you’ll find here can be life-changing.” When she’s not championing the NSA mission, you’ll find Amber reimagining interior spaces, taking long beach walks with her dogs, or belting out “Jolene” at karaoke nights.

Learn how Craig Cieslik,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Health and History Teacher Craig Cieslik Briefly describe your daily job duties. Teaching Health and History to high school students. This is my 25th year! As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I explain to the students on day one that I’m a lifelong stutterer and we all struggle with things in life and I’m lucky I stutter. It could have been worse. I also teach students that most people who stutter don’t talk for a living, and I do. That they can also overcome any disability or fear that they have and pursue their dreams like I did. What are your long-term career aspirations? I have been married almost 12 years now, and have a 6 year old son. I have gone from coaching record-setting high school football teams to coaching 5 and 6-year olds in soccer and basketball. It’s been fun, and I joke that it’s not that much different than coaching high school kids! Maybe someday I will coach high school football again. I’ve been blessed beyond my wildest dreams from a young kid who was scared to talk because of my stutter to being able to have my dream job the past 25 years, travel the world with my wife, raise a child, and live in Orange County, California (one of the greatest places in the world!). Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes, I am always upfront about it. I had the privilege to take a course on stuttering with Dr. Sheehan 30 years ago who was a pioneer in the stuttering field. She taught me to always come out and say ‘this is who you are’ to put everybody at ease. That way, people won’t guess or think you are nervous, which could impact your hire. I also joke around a lot about my speech. I will say, ‘I stutter, but I make up for it with good looks!’ What is your proudest moment at your current company? Proudest moment was setting national records as the head coach of the football program. Like with my speech, we were underdogs and we outworked everybody else and did some amazing things. Lots of the records still stand over 10 years later. I’m also proud when students tell me how much they loved my class and how they get used to my stuttering and don’t even see me as a stutterer. I keep students at ease by joking about my speech and saying things like, ‘you can either listen to me stutter, or we can just do the work’. At one time I had to sue my district after some administrative discrimination and mocking due to my speech disability. I stood up for myself as I have always been taught, the judge ruled in my favor, and the district settled the case. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Ever since I was a child I felt I had to always prove myself and work harder then anybody else. By working hard and being good at school and sports I wasn’t judged by how I talked, rather I was judged on my skills. That gave me so much confidence to talk, to ask out a girl, etc., and also helped me to deal with kids who made fun of me or thought I was weird. I got great self esteem from working hard and having great parents and siblings who always encouraged me and didn’t cater to or feel bad for me. My siblings also never made fun of my speech problem which is pretty amazing and cool. 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 to be upfront about and proud of your speech difference. I’m glad I stutter. It made me the person I am today, and it has made me popular in ways with people my entire life saying things like, ‘you know, that tall guy who stutters. Oh yes, Craig. That’s his name’. You have to be confident in your abilities. A lot of people may doubt you and even talk down to you, but it’s just a lack of education on their part. Be a team player and everything else will work itself out.

Join the Twin Cities - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Twin Cities ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL NORTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Minnesota Chapter Welcome to the NSA Twin Cities 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? Eastside Food Co-op in northeast Minneapolis at 2551 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418. When? Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Tim McCarren & Dave Lindberg Chapter Leaders Get in touch! mccarrenspeech@gmail.com - - 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 Logan Hall,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Management Consulting Logan Hall Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a consultant, I am constantly working with clients, whether it be communicating status of deliverables over video calls, coordinating with my team members, or celebrating milestones in person over drinks and food. Speaking verbally is a core part of the job. Initially, this was daunting. But instead, it forced me to practice techniques I learned in speech therapy, and put them to use. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Giving presentations to either clients or internal teams can be challenging. It requires practice of speaking through the material, notating words or phrases that give me trouble, and applying techniques I’ve learned through speech therapy to overcome those hurdles. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan to stay in consulting for the next 10-15 years. I may eventually want to work for a large auto manufacturer, like Porsche, Volkswagen Group, or BMW. I have a passion for cars and would like to bring the experience I’ve gained in consulting to auto manufacturing. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I disclose that I have a speech difference in several situations, including when I interviewed for this job. Anytime I am speaking in front of a large audience, a new client, or a new team I have not previously worked with, I disclose by saying something along the lines of “Bear with me as I speak during the course of this call or meeting, as I have a speech difference. You may hear me have blocks or struggle getting words out, but it’s a totally normal part of who I am”. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I recently presented my stuttering journey to an internal diversity and inclusion (D&I) group that focuses on disabilities. I spoke about my struggles, what I did to overcome them, and guidance for others that are also going through the same thing. At first, it was daunting to speak in front of such a large audience (100+ people), but knowing that everyone on that call was caring and understanding made it not only bearable, but enjoyable. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Being someone who stutters forces you to work harder. You are constantly thinking of how you will say things. That heightened thought process can carry over to normal day to day tasks, such as critical thinking, planning, meeting with clients, and general task execution. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Don’t be afraid to fail. The fact that you made it past the hiring process and have been onboarded shows that the recruiters saw beyond your speech difference and know that you can be a valuable asset to your company. Performing day to day tasks that are “normal” to others, such as making phone calls, giving presentations, etc. may be challenging at first. But the more you are exposed to speaking situations, the more you can practice speech therapy techniques, and the more confident you will become overall.

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.

< Back Previous Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith Presenter Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith is an award-winning educator, speaker, and leadership strategist with over 30 years of experience as a counselor, teacher, principal, and district administrator. She is the founder of Limitless Leaders LLC, a leadership development company that empowers individuals to turn perceived limitations into leadership strengths through coaching, workshops, and her signature L.E.A.D.E.R. Framework. As the author of “Limitless Leaders: Leading Beyond Your Disability,” Dr. Russell-Smith inspires others to lead with authenticity, purpose, and confidence. Next

Meet Maya Singal, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Maya Singal Co-Chair of Sisters Who Stutter Maya Singal is the Co-Chair of Sisters Who Stutter (SWS) and a senior in high school from Chicago, Illinois. In her leadership role, Maya helps guide the direction of the organization while supporting a welcoming, empowering space for girls who stutter to connect, grow, and support one another. Maya is actively involved in the National Stuttering Association (NSA) through the Teen Advisory Council and is passionate about giving back to the stuttering community. She attends Camp Shout Out annually and values the sense of belonging and confidence the community has provided. Outside of her advocacy work, Maya is a member of her school’s golf team and has served as Club Liaison for Aspiring Medical Professionals for the past two years. She is also involved in Best Buddies and volunteers in the pathology lab at her local hospital, reflecting her strong interest in healthcare and service. Maya is excited about the future of Sisters Who Stutter and looks forward to continuing to build meaningful connections with fellow girls who stutter. She is especially eager to attend the upcoming NSA Conference in Charlotte and deepen her involvement in the broader NSA community.

Meet Dr. Megan Young, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Dr. Megan Young Professional Relations Committee Dr. Megan Young is a dedicated and accomplished speech-language pathologist and Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. With a deep commitment to advancing understanding and support for people who stutter, Megan has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2019. Her passion for making a meaningful impact in the stuttering community is reflected in her research, which delves into the psychosocial aspects of stuttering, the lived experiences of individuals who stutter, and the pursuit of employment equity for adults who stutter. Through her work, Megan strives to break down barriers and foster greater inclusion and understanding in workplaces and society as a whole. Megan’s academic and clinical expertise is complemented by her dedication to mentorship and advocacy. She is known for creating a supportive environment for her students and actively engaging in initiatives that amplify the voices of those who stutter. Her research has contributed valuable insights to the field, helping to bridge the gap between clinical practice and the real-world challenges faced by people who stutter. Megan resides in Las Cruces, NM, where she enjoys a fulfilling personal life with her husband and two cats. Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in music, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring new destinations, and embracing the beauty of the outdoors. Whether hiking through the scenic landscapes of New Mexico or engaging in creative pursuits, Megan’s well-rounded interests enrich her perspective and fuel her dedication to her work. Her passion for creating positive change makes her a valued member of the NSA and the broader speech-language pathology community.

Join the Burlington - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Burlington ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Vermont State Welcome to the NSA Burlington 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? University of Vermont Eleanor Luse Center (Pomeroy Hall waiting room) – 489 Main Street Burlington, VT 05405 When? Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Kim Bauerly & Danra Kazenski Chapter Leaders Get in touch! burlingtonstutters@gmail.com (802) 656-0250 - 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

< 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

Meet Chris Monello, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Chris Monello WS@W Committee Chris Monello lives in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and is a person who stutters. He started attending NSA local chapter meetings in 2014 and was quickly comforted by the stuttering community and inspired to help others who stutter. In 2021, he joined the We Stutter at Work Board to help advocate for people who stutter in the workplace. He’s passionate about his career as the Head of Marketing at Scientific American Magazine. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling and yoga.

< Back Previous Enjoli Richardson Presenter Enjoli Richardson is a certified speech therapist and a recent doctoral graduate from the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research at The University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her training under the mentorship of Dr. Courtney Byrd. Her program of research explores the intersections of Race, Gender, and Disability within the stuttering experience by engaging in critical theories and storytelling methodologies that center Disability Justice. In her spare time, she enjoys curating events, spending time in the park, and journaling. Next