Convention Presenters

Kellie Banta is a school-based speech-language therapist with 13 years of experience supporting students in developing effective communication skills. She has a strong passion for integrating innovative approaches into therapy, particularly through the use of animal-assisted therapy. As a registered therapy dog handler for the past eight years and a certified Pet Partners evaluator for two years, Kellie and her four legged partners have visited classrooms, hospital rooms, libraries, dialysis clinics and college campuses. Kellie is an Eastern Kentucky University alum and lives in Lexington with her family. She is a proud mom to two wonderful children and shares her home with her husband and their two beloved golden retrievers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising and crafting.

Karen Barako, is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Karen has a doctorate in speech-language pathology from Vanderbilt University. With almost 20 years as a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist, her research and teaching interests include complex syntax development, language and literacy, stuttering and the science of teaching and learning.

Sydney Bassard is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. She owns The Listening SLP, which is her private practice and social media brand. Sydney was noted as a Distinguished Early Career Professional in 2020 and an Innovator in 2023 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her work centered on the equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. In 2023, Sydney co-authored a children’s book, A Day with Mom, with her mother. The book tells the story of a little girl who is excited to spend the day with her mom on a typical Saturday. Sydney was a co-primary investigator on a research study investigating writing outcomes for children who are deaf and hard of hearing through a cultural and linguistic diversity lens. Her goal is for professionals and parents to listen, learn and advocate together.

Jen Bidelman is a clinical associate professor of audiology at Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington, Indiana. Prior to joining the IU faculty in 2022, Jen was a pediatric audiologist and manager at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Her clinical specialties are in pediatric diagnostics, challenging to test populations and implantable devices.

Anne Blandford is a speech-language pathologist and clinical supervisor at Cressman Neurological Rehabilitation, and an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders at the University of Louisville. She has 19 years of clinical experience, with a focus on neurologic disorders for the past 15 years. Dr. Blandford specializes in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dysphagia and facial nerve disorders, with advanced training in SPEAK OUT!®, LSVT, MBSImP, FEES and neuromuscular electrical stimulation. She is a member of the deep brain stimulation surgical team and the Norton Healthcare Brain Tumor Center. She holds degrees from the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and a doctorate in speech-language pathology from Nova Southeastern University.

Jennifer Blevins is a speech-language pathologist with more than 23 years of experience. She has primarily worked in the school setting since 2004 with preschool and elementary students. She has supervised many graduate students for school rotations. Jennifer serves numerous students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as varied areas of eligibility. She attends monthly meetings with the MTSS team at her school and collaborates with team members to work through the screening and intervention process for students. In order to help balance time and improve efficiency, Jennifer has developed several checklists and templates and will share some of them during the presentation.

Madison Boothe MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech pathologist in Jefferson County Public Schools.  She attended Western Kentucky University for her undergraduate degree and received experience in their on-campus clinic with pediatric and adult AAC users. She pursued her graduate degree at the University of Louisville and completed her final clinical rotation within Jefferson County Public Schools where she fell in love with the school setting. Together with her colleague, she created a series of interactive stories with accompanying crafts that she has implemented with all of her groups in the preschool/elementary school setting.

Haven Broady has served as the exceptional education assistive technology consultant for Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 2023. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master of science degrees in communication disorders and is in her fifteenth year as a speech-language pathologist in the educational setting. The first 13 years of her career were spent providing direct services to preschool through high school students, with a focus on supporting students with complex communication needs. In her current role, she collaborates with educators, administrators and related service providers across the district to support students with disabilities in accessing and participating in their education through the use of augmentative and assistive technology. Her work includes providing training, consultation and technical assistance to ensure successful implementation of these supports in the classroom.

Nick Brock is a speech-language pathologist and a fourth-year doctorate student in speech, language and hearing sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.  His research interests are encapsulated by the pursuit of continuous improvement of school-based speech-language pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of language impairments.  He also works for the Lake Travis Independent School District in Spicewood, Texas and at UT Austin, where he teaches an introductory language course.

Tina Brock is a speech-language pathologist with 32 years of experience. She currently works for the Boone County School District in Northern Kentucky, as well as having a small private practice. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Berea College and her master’s degree in communication disorders from Eastern Kentucky University.  She has previously served on the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KSHA) executive council as secretary, treasurer, SEAL, membership chair and president and currently serves on the Scholarship Committee. She has co-directed seven KSHA Conventions, as well as co-chaired the pediatric track. Tina has presented with colleagues on several topics for KSHA, including school-based strategies, normal development for infants and toddlers and supervision.  She also presented on supervision with colleagues at the 2018 ASHA Convention.

Kelsey Brown is a neurodiversity-affirming,  ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), gestalt language processing (GLP) and early language development. ​She completed her master’s degree in communication disorders at Emerson College, where her interests included augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), medically complex children and youth and early intervention. Kelsey’s experience includes working with and learning from the folks at Easter Seals DMV, St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Fayette County Public Schools, Boston Children’s Hospital, the Access Champions podcast, Imagination Stage, Soaring Starts Early Learning & Arts and Camp Twin Lakes. Kelsey uses her theatre and teaching artist background to help to inspire fun and motivating client-centered sessions.  Kelsey completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at Georgetown University, where her interdisciplinary team project on sexual education for individuals with disabilities was awarded a ribbon for excellence. Kelsey has also demonstrated mastery in working with children who communicate with delayed echolalia (scripting) by completing the Meaningful Speech course and exam in gestalt language processing and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework. She has presented at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conventions and provided clinic, school and daycare-based trainings. Her time at Imagination Stage inspired Kelsey to write a children’s book, which was released in May 2019. Come On, Calm! is a whimsical picture book encouraging readers of all abilities to self-regulate through sensory and breathing tasks.

Lauren Budziak, has been the assistive technology and communication disorders consultant for the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) since July 2021. She is a graduate of The University of Dayton and The Ohio State University and is in her eighteenth year of working as a speech-language pathologist in the educational setting. She spent 13 years providing direct services to students and the majority of her practice was spent working with preschool and elementary students with a specialized focus on working with students with complex communication needs. While she enjoys all areas of speech-language therapy practice, Lauren’s areas of interest include augmentative-alternative communication, educational technology, literacy and workload and caseload management for SLPs. As a consultant, Lauren provides coaching, consultation, technical assistance and collaboration for speech-language pathologists,  teachers, administrators and related service providers. She provides professional development in the areas of assistive technology, communication disorders, literacy and other relevant topics for educators across the GRREC region.

Elizabeth Burckardt is a Louisville native who completed medical school and residency at University of Louisville. She then completed her fellowship in laryngology at Harvard Medical School in 2020.   She joined the Louisville Center for Voice Care in May 2025.   Elizabeth has a love of musical theater and voice which led her to the field of laryngology. She is married with two young girls.

Erin Byrd is a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) with more than 10 years of experience. She is dedicated to serving diverse student populations by developing and implementing comprehensive systems of identification and intervention. A key focus of her work has been the development of tools for procedures and processes that can be implemented by student support teams as part of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports(MTSS) process. She has developed resources, including procedure guides, data sheets and intervention strategies, to ensure effective and organized support for students with communication concerns.

Trey A. Cline is currently an audiologist assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Kentucky and serves as the Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Audiology Program at the University at the University of Kentucky. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and his doctorate in audiology from the University of Louisville. He completed his PhD in gerontology at the University of Kentucky. His clinical interests involve diagnostic audiology including central auditory processing and tinnitus evaluations disorders and electrophysiology as well as appropriate rehabilitation techniques. He is actively involved in clinical research at the University of Kentucky with research interests in neuroaudiology and the impact of hormones on the auditory system.

Emma Corman is a speech-language pathologist at Baptist Health Lexington. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 and has worked at Baptist Health since graduation.  She works with adults with SLC and dysphagia.  Emma spends most of her work time primarily in the NICU/MB working with breast and bottle feeding infants.  She finished her IBCLC in 2024.

Jodi Cottrell is an assistant professor and the program director of The Luke Lee Listening, Language and Learning Lab (The “L”) at Marshall University in the Department of Communication Disorders. She received her master of science degree in audiology at West Virginia University and her clinical doctorate of audiology through Salus University. In July of 2008, Dr. Cottrell became the program director and classroom teacher at The “L” where she provides auditory verbal education services to the students in the preschool program and in the parent infant program, as well as audiological services including hearing aid programming, cochlear implant mapping and pediatric audiological evaluations through the Marshall Speech and Hearing Center.  In 2014 Jodi became the first certified listening and spoken language specialist in West Virginia. She currently mentors future listening and spoken language specialists. Most recently, in 2020 she became an assistant professor in the communication disorders department teaching audiology and aural rehabilitation. She is currently the chair of the board of directors for the Center for Wellness in the Arts, NSSLHA faculty advisor and the current president of West Virginia AG Bell. Prior to her position at Marshall, she was the Director of Audiology at River Cities Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, PLLC for eight years.

Lisanne Craven has been practicing in the Louisville area for many years after obtaining her master’s degree from University of Louisville (UL).  She developed a private practice and worked with a multitude of disorders in local hospitals. She developed a love of voice disorders and pursued additional training to become skilled in administering and interpreting videostroboscopy in 2000. She partnered with UL in opening the Louisville Center for Voice Care in 2016 and joined ULP as clinical director of the Voice Center in November 2022.

Karen Crow a native of Nashville, joined the Louisville Center for Voice Care (LCVC) in July of 2019. She holds a master of arts in speech-language pathology from the University of Memphis as well as a masters of music in voice performance from Austin Peay State University. Karen completed additional voice training at the Summer Vocology Institute through the National Center of Voice and Speech in Salt Lake City, Utah under the direction of Dr. Ingo Titze. Karen has been instrumental in establishing the gender affirming voice program at LCVC. In addition to her clinical role, she serves as a clinical supervisor for graduate clinician education and a part-time lecturer in the area of speech pathology at the University of Louisville Department of Otolaryngology-Head/Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders.

Evan Cumpston is a neurotologist who practices with IU Health. As a neurotologist and skull base surgeon, his expertise encompasses the removal of benign tumors, such as vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), meningiomas, paragangliomas (glomus tumors), facial nerve tumors and cholesterol granulomas. He also has expertise in removing malignant tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, Evan specializes in surgeries for hearing loss, including cochlear implant surgery and stapes surgery. He also performs repairs for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repairs, disorders of the facial nerve and surgery for chronic ear disease.

Kelly Curry has 24 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist.  The last 10 years were dedicated to Fayette County Public Schools.  She feels passionate about empowering secondary-level students to achieve their full communication potential in all areas of life. Specializing in fostering functional communication and socialization skills, Kelly believes in providing contextualized therapy in real-world settings such as the classroom, school hallways, extracurricular activities, vocational environments and beyond. She collaborates closely with teachers, paraeducators, parents and other professionals to weave speech and language goals into students’ daily routines and curriculum, ensuring that communication skills are not just learned but confidently utilized and generalized across various social and academic contexts. Her approach focuses on building social communication strategies, navigating complex social situations and developing the communication abilities necessary for independent living, academic success and future employment, when possible.

Karen Davis is an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Karen has a doctorate in education with a focus on communication sciences and disorders from the University of Central Florida and is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of work experience. Her research interests are centered on language disorders and literacy development among intermediate and secondary students, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She also explores topics such as interprofessional education (IPE), effective reading comprehension strategies and intervention for students of various age groups.

Taylor Denney is a pediatric therapy speech-language pathologist working in the Lexington area. When not working, Taylor loves spending time with her husband and her little nugget. She enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling.

Tyler Dorsey is the founder and CEO of Focus Forward ADHD Life Coaching, where she and her team support children, teens, adults and parents in navigating the challenges of ADHD with practical tools and compassionate guidance. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia herself, Tyler brings a personal perspective that fuels her passion for helping others move from overwhelm to confidence. As an ADHD life coach and speaker, Tyler specializes in breaking down the real-life barriers that make focus, organization and follow-through difficult. Her work goes beyond strategies on paper. She helps families and individuals uncover the emotions, beliefs and daily habits that either block or unlock progress. Tyler also trains and mentors other ADHD coaches expanding access to strengths-based ADHD support worldwide. Through conferences, workshops and her signature programs, including Calm in the Chaos and School of Momming ADHD, Tyler equips parents and professionals with the insight and tools they need to lead with clarity and build environments where individuals with ADHD can thrive.

Rebecca Eberle is a retired clinical professor who served as a clinical educator and academic instructor in the Indiana University Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences for 25 years, previously serving as therapist, administrator and program director, for a combined total of 42 years with neurorehabilitation specialty. Throughout her career, she served as a leader in executive roles and provided many presentations and workshops for state, national and international professional organizations and she is privileged to serve and advocate for people with acquired brain injuries, their families and communities. With international colleagues from interdisciplinary teams, Rebecca Eberle has co-authored books, textbook chapters, research papers and most notably she served as co-editor and author of the 2022 publication, Cognitive Rehabilitation Manual and Textbook, 2nd Edition and co-designed the textbook website.

Kaitlyn Eichen is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student at The Ohio State University. Having grown up with hearing loss, she brings a personal perspective to her work and a strong passion for helping others navigate their own hearing and balance journeys. Her interests include exploring how hormones like estrogen may impact tinnitus, cochlear implants and vestibular disorders.

Kellie Ellis is a professor and department chair at Eastern Kentucky University. She is a former president of the Kentucky’s Speech-Language-Hearing Association and former Chair of ASHA’s Governmental Relations and Public Policy Board. Kellie currently serves on ASHA’s Governmental Affairs Public Policy Board, as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and is a governor appointee on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Kinya Embry-Wright is a licensed speech-language pathologist in Louisville, Kentucky who received her bachelors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in American Sign Language in 2016 and her master’s in speech-language pathology in 2018, both from Western Kentucky University. She received her doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 2024, where her research focused on language development in deaf and hard of hearing children and the impact of American Sign Language as a first language. Kinya began her clinical career at the Kentucky School for the Deaf where she was the school’s speech-language pathologist and has since worked in outpatient pediatric clinics and in public schools. Her current role is an assistant professor and the assistant director of clinical education in the communication disorders program at the University of Louisville. Kinya has presented around the world on topics related to speech and language services for deaf and hard of hearing children and authored her own theoretical framework, The Fundamental Framework for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. She previously served on the board of the Kentucky chapter of Hands and Voices and is currently the RISE chair (formerly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) on the Kentucky Speech-Language Hearing Associations board. Kinya is the passionate assistant director of language first and is dedicated to its organizational mission and core values.

Jeanane Ferre has been an ASHA certified audiologist since 1980 and received her doctorate in audiology from Northwestern University in 1984. She has been in private practice in the Chicago area since 1988, providing evaluation of and intervention for central auditory processing disorders among children and adults. She is an adjunct faculty member of Rush University, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. Jeanane has published numerous articles in refereed journals and presented at the local, state, national and international levels on CAP and CAPD. Her published work includes numerous chapters in professional texts, peer-reviewed and invited manuscripts and The Differential Screening Test for Processing (co-author). She is a Fellow of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the 1997 recipient of ISHA’s Clinical Achievement Award, a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2001) and received Honors of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2007.

Amber Valentine Forston is a speech-language pathologist who graduated from the University of Kentucky with her master of science in Communication Disorders.  She is a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT).  She worked for Baptist Health Systems, Inc. for eight years before moving to Florida where she worked for Wolfsons Children’s Hospital and Mayo Florida.  She is now back in Kentucky working for Baptist Health Lexington.  She has experience in adults and pediatrics with feeding and swallowing difficulties including:  bedside swallow evaluations, Modified Barium Swallow studies, FEES and pediatric feeding evaluations including NICU.  She has experience with head and neck cancer patient including evaluation and treatment of swallowing difficulties, PMV use and voice after total laryngectomy including TEP.  She has provided guest lectures for the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville on feeding and swallowing topics. She has presented at the hospital, local, state, national and international levels on pediatric feeding/swallowing and breastfeeding.

Danna Frank has served as the exceptional education speech consultant for Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 2023. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees in communication disorders and is in her twenty-eighth year as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the educational setting.  The first 12 years of her career were spent providing direct services to preschool through high school students, while the past 14 years have focused on consultation. In her current role, she supports school-based SLPs with assessment, intervention and collaboration with educators, administrators and families to meet the communication needs of public school students.  In addition to her work with WCPS, Danna is a part-time clinical supervisor and instructor for Western Kentucky University’s Communication Disorders Department, where she teaches undergraduate courses and supervises undergraduate and graduate students as they provide therapy to pediatric and adult clients. She is an active member of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Haley Fulk (he/his/him), is a speech-language pathologist who believes that communication is as unique as the brain behind it. Haley’s clinical focus includes complex communication supports, acquired brain injury, and intersectional approaches to neurodiversity. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, Haley integrates identity-affirming frameworks into every level of care—evaluation, treatment and education—helping clients and families understand that communication differences are not deficits, but diverse expressions of being human.

Laura Galloway is an assistant professor in the doctor of audiology (AuD) program at the University of Louisville where she is in her tenth year of teaching.  Her primary areas of interest include audiologic rehabilitation and hearing conservation.  She is a doctoral candidate in the School of Public Health at the University of Louisville with a specialization in health promotion and health behavior.

Amy Gonshak earned her doctorate degree in counseling psychology at the University of Louisville and has been involved the mental health profession for more than 25 years. She is currently a licensed psychologist at UofL Health, Frazier Rehab Institute, Center for Advanced NeuroRehab, an intensive outpatient program for patients recovering from acquired brain injuries. She has been working there since 2012 as part of their interdisciplinary team including speech, occupational and physical therapies. Her dissertation research was on trauma-informed practices for effective learning and she has a passion for collaborative work in order to provide effective services that incorporate treating the whole person. She enjoys trail running, hiking, traveling and art.

Mary Gospel is a senior clinical faculty member in the speech, language and hearing sciences department at Butler University. She received her doctoral degree at Indiana University specializing in adult neurological disorders and aging. While at Butler, she served as chair of the communication sciences and disorders program from 2013-2019. She is the founding director of the Butler Aphasia Community, a therapy and support group that meets weekly on the Butler campus. She also teaches courses in phonetics, phonological development and disorders and neurogenic communication disorders.  She has presented at local, state and national conferences on aphasia and clinical supervision.

Jocyline Graham is a bilingual Spanish speech-language pathologist specializing in early intervention for toddlers and preschoolers. Through her private practice, she provides virtual parent coaching across multiple states, helping caregivers feel confident in supporting their child’s communication development. She is also the founder of AzeloApp.com, a client communication platform designed for therapists. In addition, Jocyline serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Cincinnati, where she supervises first-year graduate students working with Head Start and Early Head Start children. Her work is grounded in a whole-child perspective and guided by a deep commitment to self-reflection and excellence in family-centered care.

Emily Hackman earned a master of arts in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Cincinnati. She is the assistive technology speech pathologist for the Campbell County Elementary Schools. She has experience with low and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication. She has worked with children with complex communication needs ages 3-14 with a variety of speech and language needs. Emily has worked with individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other communication disorders. Emily is passionate about using a total communication approach to meet the needs of students and families where they are. Emily believes all students have the ability to communicate and participate meaningfully in their schools, communities and families.

Kate Wood Hall has worked in Kentucky politics and government for more than 15 years and has been a member of the Commonwealth Alliances team for more than eight years. Kate focuses on education, health care, technology and budget policy, but has expertise in a broad array of policy areas from her extended time working for Governor Steve Beshear. Kate served as former Governor Steve Beshear’s Legislative Liaison and Director of the Governor’s Office of Legislative Services for seven years prior to joining Commonwealth Alliances. During her time in this position, she was the Governor’s senior advisor on issues relating to the legislature and state legislation and worked on key policy achievements including curbing prescription drug abuse, raising Kentucky’s dropout age to 18, and addressing state government’s pension crisis. She also actively worked with the Governor and other members of his senior staff and Cabinet Officials on policy development and strategic decision making.

Ben Haydon brings a blend of experience from both the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on community engagement and strategic relations. Most recently, Ben served as the Manager of Public Relations and Community Engagement at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, where he successfully connected communities across the state—from Paducah to Pikeville. Ben’s career began in the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, setting the stage for his transition to Commonwealth Alliances as the Director of Client Relations. In this role, he leverages his background in public affairs, having held positions at both local and state levels. His tenure as Director of Business Development at the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers further expanded his expertise, deepening his understanding of Kentucky’s diverse manufacturing sector.

Jack Henderson is a person who stutters and the founder and owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy PLLC. He is licensed in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Alabama. Jack is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). He is on the board of TAASLP. Jack is on the Advisory Board of SPACE, an international arts-oriented stuttering advocacy organization. He is an adjunct professor at Austin Peay State University. He lives in Nashville with his spouse and two children.

Lindsey Hendricks is the early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) coordinator for Kentucky. As the EHDI coordinator, she oversees the daily functioning of Kentucky’s EHDI program and serves as project director for EHDI’s federal grants. Lindsey joined the EHDI team in fall 2024. Lindsey’s prior experience includes program management in other public health and social services programs.

Haiping Huang is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He works with Dr. Erin Picou in the Hearing and Affect Perception Interest lab and the Dan Maddox Hearing Aid Research lab. His research interests are emotion, listening effort and hearing aids.

Caroline Alexander Hudson is a speech-language pathologist and the director of the Kelly Autism Program at the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Throughout her career, Caroline has provided services to individuals in various settings, including early intervention, schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics and long-term care facilities. At WKU, she has taken on multiple leadership roles, such as director of speech-language pathology and curriculum, clinic director for the Communication Disorders Clinic and interim director of the Renshaw Early Childhood Center. A long-standing advocate for autism acceptance, Caroline has led initiatives to promote understanding and inclusion both on campus and in the community. She incorporates and models neuro-affirming strategies, ensuring that the programming at KAP and the Clinical Education Complex honors the strengths, preferences and identities of neurodivergent individuals. Under her leadership, KAP strives to be a space where diversity is celebrated, self-advocacy is encouraged and dignity is at the core of all services provided. Caroline has received several honors, including the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Clinical Achievement Award (2023), the Tri-SKY Collaborative Champion of Children Award (2021) and the Starfish Award for Educator of the Year (2014) from Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky. Caroline believes that communication is intricately connected to the quality of life. She thinks that anyone whose natural speech or language skills do not meet their needs for participating in all aspects of life could benefit from alternative and augmentative communication. This belief fuels her passion for helping individuals find their voice.

Alice Inman is a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders.  She is a clinical instructor at the University of Louisville, teaching both the dysphagia and advanced dysphagia classes on the graduate level.

Marie Ireland is a board-certified specialist in child language (BCS-CL) and served as the Virginia Department of Education’s specialist for speech-language pathology, evaluation and eligibility and related services for 16 years.  She has served as ASHA’s Vice President of SLP Practice (2018-2020) and on the executive board of the State Education Agencies Communication Disabilities Council.  Her areas of interest include child language, evidence-based assessment and dynamic assessment.  She has received editor’s awards in 2013 and 2021 for articles on evidence-based practice in the schools and has published works on SLP practice in the schools.

Laura Karcher is a clinical professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) at Indiana University. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and professional licensure in Indiana. She is a certified brain injury specialist and member of the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the ASHA Specialty Interest Divisions in Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and an associate member of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS). She served as the IU speech-language clinic director from 2001-2024, chair of the Council on Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders IPE/IPP Committee from 2022-2024 and is a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She teaches graduate coursework in clinical practice, professional issues and counseling. She has co-authored articles on aphasia treatment and has spoken at state, regional and national professional meetings on issues related to clinical supervision, interprofessional education, brain injury, aphasia treatment and dysphagia.

Douglas Keefe is a speech-language- pathologist at Jefferson County Public Schools and a past president of the Kentucky Speech-Language Hearing Association.  Doug helped pioneer the annual Golden Brain Competition and has dedicated many years to the continued success of the annual KSHA Convention.

Jen Lutes is a speech-language pathologist who has worked across several inpatient and outpatient medical settings for the last 11 years. She specializes in swallowing and voice rehabilitation following head and neck cancer, with a concentration in and passion for total laryngectomy. She holds a variety of certifications and skill sets including FEES, NIHSS and tracheoesophageal prosthesis modification. She  has been a member of the Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Tumor Board and clinic at the Norton Cancer Institute and Brown Cancer Center, providing pre and peri-operative and outpatient care to those with total laryngectomy, tracheostomy and complex flap reconstruction. Jen has hosted and facilitated the local Laryngectomee Community Group and provided in-services to a variety of healthcare professionals regarding head and neck cancer care. Jen is also enthusiastic about educating. She was part-time professor at the University of Louisville and visiting faculty at Northern Arizona University. She is the current Chair of the Board of Kentucky Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.

Megan Mays is an occupational therapist with more than 16 years of experience in school-based and pediatric outpatient settings. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational science in 2007, followed by a master’s degree in occupational therapy in 2009. Megan’s clinical experience includes sensory processing, self-regulation, reflex integration and developmental motor interventions. Informed by Sensory Integration Theory and the EMPOWER Model, her therapeutic approach is neurodiversity-affirming, child-led and rooted in respect for each individual’s unique sensory and developmental profile. She is committed to supporting neurodivergent individuals in achieving meaningful, self-directed occupational engagement across home, community and educational environments.

Hanna Messmer is a clinical associate professor at Indiana University. She specializes in pediatric and adult diagnostics as well as cochlear implant evaluations and programming for patients of all ages.

Shea Miller has 16 years of experience as a school-based speech-language pathologist for Fayette County Public Schools.  Shea is dedicated to helping students develop the skills they need to thrive. While she has worked with students across all age groups, the majority of her career has been focused on supporting adolescents in middle and high school. Shea is passionate about equipping these students with practical, real-world communication skills that extend beyond the classroom. Her approach is built on a collaborative, student-centered foundation, where the goal is to empower each individual to find their voice and build the confidence and independence necessary for success.

Jessica Millward is a speech-language pathologist at Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, where she works with both pediatric and adult patients in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. She holds a master of science in communication disorders from the University of Louisville, where she completed a thesis examining the effects of chemoradiation on suprahyoid muscle function. Jessica’s clinical interests include acquired brain injury, dysphagia and aphasia, with a particular passion for supporting individuals and families navigating cognitive-communication recovery after neurological injury. She integrates evidence-based, functional approaches in both acute recovery and long-term rehabilitation and is committed to interdisciplinary care across medical and educational settings.

Laura Mize is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in treating infants, toddlers and young preschoolers. Laura has authored nine therapy manuals and has been an ASHA Continuing Education Provider since 2013 with more than 100 online courses for parents and professionals. Her website teachmetotalk.com and YouTube channel teachmetotalk reach a world-wide audience with 10+ million views and counting!

Michelle Morgan is a speech-language pathologist licensed in Kentucky and Minnesota. She specializes in language-based disorders that affect literacy, including dyslexia and dysgraphia. Michelle is the creator of the Head-to-Hand™ Writing Program and the Head-to-Hand™ Sight Word System, which integrate oral language skills with structured literacy instruction using a speech-to-print approach. She owns the Kentucky Language & Literacy Center and Days with Dyslexia LLC, providing assessments and interventions through evidence-based tools and parent education for children with learning differences.

Anne Olson received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, master’s in audiology from the University of Texas at Austin and her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky. She joined the faculty in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at the University of Kentucky in 2004 after working as a clinical audiologist. She is currently serving as Chair for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her scholarly efforts have been focused on aural rehabilitation and currently teaches  both undergraduate and graduate audiology courses.

Kathy Panther earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Kentucky in speech and hearing and a masters in science in speech-language-pathology from the University of Louisville.  She worked at Frazier Rehab Institute from 1982 to 2018.  Initially she was a practicing SLP specializing in neurogenic disorders moving into leadership eventually becoming the inpatient rehab director and acquired brain injury program director.  Kathy was one of the pioneers developing the Frazier Water Protocol (FWP) and she became the spokesperson for the FWP.  This role led to teaching other clinician worldwide how to implement the FWP.

Tammy Pierce serves as the ECE supervisor for communication disorders in Jefferson County Public Schools. Before stepping into this role, she worked with students at The Binet School, a JCPS special school supporting learners with significant disabilities and AAC needs. She earned her master’s degree from Northern Illinois University and also brings experience from the medical field, having worked at Frazier Rehabilitation and Amedisys Home Health. Tammy lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Dan and they have three grown children.

Erin Pittard is a speech-language pathologist with Jefferson County Public Schools, where she provides services to students, ages 3–21. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and previously worked at Norton Audubon Hospital from 2010 to 2021, specializing in dysphagia while serving adolescents and adults. Erin lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Joel and their three children, ages 13, 11 and 8.

Leigh Anne Roden is a Clinical Associate Professor who has been with WKU since 2012 when she began teaching as an adjunct faculty member.  A proud Hilltopper, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Rank I, Director of Special Education Endorsement, Autism Certificate, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership at WKU. Dr. Roden continues to practice in acute care and early intervention, keeping her teaching closely connected to current clinical practice. She is dedicated to preparing students to become thoughtful, skilled, and compassionate clinicians by creating interactive learning experiences that emphasize critical thinking, professional identity, and advocacy. As a Past President and active member of the Kentucky Speech-Language-Hearing Association, she works to model for students how leadership and service strengthen the profession. At WKU, Dr. Roden teaches, advises, supervises, and serves as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

Sara Rogers is a clinical associate professor of audiology at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Prior to this position she was a research audiologist at Indiana University. Sara specializes in pediatric diagnostics, electrophysiology and implantable devices.

Arica Rusco earned her master of science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kentucky in 2024. She earned her bachelor of science at Purdue University in 2022. She is currently working at the Voice and Swallow Clinic in the Head, Neck & Respiratory Clinic at the UK Markey Cancer Center.

Alisa Sacker a board certified pediatrician (MD) and international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) is the founder of Team Tongue Tie, a private practice specializing in diagnosing and treated tethered oral tissues in infants, children and adults.  Before opening her private practice in 2017, she was a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente for over 20 years, where is practiced in general pediatrics and neonatal ICU and also pioneered their first laser frenectomy program for newborns in San Diego.

Sara Schneider joined Lingraphica in 2022.  She has experience providing speech and language services to pediatric and adult populations across school, outpatient, acute, rehab and skilled nursing settings.  Sara holds a bachelors in communication disorders from Butler University and a master’s in speech pathology from Purdue University.

Ciera Sherwood is a speech-language pathologist who has been practicing in Fayette County Public Schools for 10 years. She has also worked as a clinical instructor at the University of Kentucky for more than five years, served as a board member on the  Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology for five years and has also worked in clinical/outpatient settings.  Outside of her career, Ciera enjoys spending time with her husband and her new baby girl, Charlotte.

Kevin Simmons is a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist based in Dawsonville, Georgia. Originally from Johns Creek, Georgia, Kevin earned his master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Radford University in Virginia. With a heart for children and a creative approach to therapy, Kevin specializes in supporting children with communication challenges through play-based, sensory-friendly interventions. Kevin is also the founder of The Singing SLP, a unique practice that blends traditional speech therapy with music integration and sensory strategies. His innovative work includes being a sensory barber—providing inclusive, adaptive haircuts for children who have sensory processing needs, often turning what was once a stressful experience into one of connection and success. Through his multifaceted work, Kevin brings energy, compassion and creativity to every session, whether he’s helping a child find their first words or transforming a haircut into a confidence-boosting moment. His passion lies in meeting kids where they are, using music, movement and meaningful routines to help them thrive.

Emily Smith is a speech-language pathologist at UK Outpatient Therapy at Cardinal Hill. Emily specializes in treating the adult neurogenic population and is certified in LSVT LOUD® and SPEAK OUT!® therapy programs.

Dala Sparks is a speech-language pathologist in Jefferson County Public Schools who enjoys collaboration with other SLPs and learning from colleagues in the field. Sharing student stories, treatment knowledge and finding ways to make therapy engaging and fun are among some of her favorite perks of being a school based SLP.

Stephanie Spires is a mother, child advocate and family life coach. She received her bachelors  and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky, College of Education and completed her Family Life Coach coursework at North Carolina State University. Stephanie served on the Fayette County Public Schools Board of Education from 2017-2022. She was chair of the board from 2018-2021, leading the team through Covid and the unexpected death of the district’s Superintendent. Before joining the board, she served as the Executive Director of Arbor Youth Services, Central Kentucky’s only emergency children’s shelter. In this role, she pushed city and school leaders to acknowledge and accurately count the number of homeless students in the district. She has fostered and/or provided respite for over three dozen children. Spires leads monthly training and support groups for foster and adoptive parents in Kentucky through the Adoption Support Kentucky program at the University of Kentucky. She has testified before the Kentucky General Assembly on several issues impacting Kentucky’s children and developed a training for school board members across the state to understand how districts can support students experiencing homelessness and/or in foster care. Currently Spires is serving as the Interim Executive Director of KORE Academy in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jennifer Stanley joined Lingraphica in 2018. She has experience providing speech and language services for the adult population in the acute, skilled, outpatient and home health settings. Jennifer also has early intervention experience providing speech and language services to the 0-3 population in the natural environment. Jennifer holds a bachelors of science in speech pathology and audiology and a master’s of administration in speech pathology from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

Debra Suiter is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky and director of the Voice and Swallow Clinic at UK HealthCare. She is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders and a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Debra  is co-developer of the Yale Swallow Protocol, a widely used clinical screening tool for identifying aspiration risk. Her research and teaching focus on swallowing assessment and management, interdisciplinary care and clinical decision-making at the end of life. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on topics related to swallowing disorders and is dedicated to training the next generation of clinicians in evidence-based practice.

Austin Thomas is a speech-language pathologist primarily employed within the Montgomery County school district. He is a 2022 graduate of the master’s program in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Kentucky and a 2017 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Austin is an 11 year employee of CVS pharmacy where he has been in charge of vaccine outreach in a store recognized nationally for vaccination high performance. A member of the Lexington Flying Club, Austin has been working on his commercial pilot’s license which he hopes to soon complete. He also works in early intervention and outpatient therapy services. Thomas currently resides in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Adria Thompson is a speech-language pathologist, TEDx speaker and faculty member at Eastern Kentucky University. She is the founder of Be Light Care, the largest dementia care education platform on social media. With over a decade of experience providing therapy to individuals living with dementia, Adria now equips other professionals to go beyond clinical care, empowering them to be advocates with their clients, not just for them. Her work blends evidence-based practice with bold storytelling to reshape how we see our role in supporting autonomy and dignity.

Lori Travis is the audiology services administrator at the Office for Children With Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN). In this role, she oversees the statewide audiology and early hearing detection and intervention programs. In addition to her six years of experience with the EHDI federal grants, she has also worked closely with other grant and research partners in assessing such areas as patient navigation following a failed newborn hearing screen, behavioral intervention for children with hearing loss and hearing screening in the schools. Prior to joining OCSHCN as a clinical audiologist in 2014, she worked in various settings including a university hospital affiliated audiology clinic and a private otolaryngology and hearing aid practice serving patients of all ages.

Sara Vank has been primarily working with children with complex communication accessibility needs AAC in the school environment for the past 12 years. She is passionate about supporting functional and meaningful communication within a total communication model. Sara believes the communication work we do in schools can anchor students to their humanity and support authentic connections.

Kelly Vess has more than 22 years of experience as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, researcher and clinical instructor. Kelly is the host of The Preschool SLP podcast and creator of the Sparkle in Speech therapy materials membership. Kelly is the author of 32 Lessons for Lifelong Change in Autism Intervention and Speech Sound Disorders: Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment.

Catlaina Vrana is an adult with autism and an expressive speech disability. She has used an assistive device to communicate for twelve years. Catlaina believes that everyone has the right to communicate. She has spoken about the importance of communication access to families, students, educators and professionals, as well as written articles and a children’s book to further awareness and acceptance of AAC. Catlaina is passionate about helping her community and spends much of time crocheting and donating toys to a foster care program.

Ian Windmill obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida State University. He has held numerous clinical and academic positions throughout his career, including those at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Mississippi and the University of Louisville. He has numerous publications, honors and grants during his professional career. Most notably, he served as president of the American Academy of Audiology. During his tenure, he implemented fiscal policy, restructured committees for greater integration, strategic alignment and communication and broadened alliances with professional organizations, consumer groups and the hearing industry. Currently, he is a visiting scholar at the University of Kentucky, assisting with the development of a new audiology doctoral program.

David Zirlen, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who focuses on voice and swallowing disorders as well as laryngectomy care and tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) evaluation, placement and management. David previously worked at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Head & Neck Cancer Clinic in Connecticut. He has worked in a variety of settings, including acute care, acute rehabilitation, home care and traumatic brain injury care. He received his bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, followed by his master’s at Southern Connecticut State University.