Brenda Addington, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, retired from Jessamine County Schools in 2019. She is also a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, having taught for seven years in private school settings prior to pursuing a career in speech-language pathology. She has served as an adjunct faculty instructor at Eastern Kentucky University, having taught courses in the areas of phonetics, articulation disorders, augmentative and alternative education and survey of communication disorders. She also provides university supervision of graduate interns in the school setting. Brenda has served on the Kentucky Department of Education committees that revised the Kentucky Eligibility Guidelines for Communication Disorders and Kentucky Guidelines for Provision of Related Services in Public School Settings. She is the author of For Nonverbal Children: Functional Vocabulary Kit, published by Linguisystems/ProEd, as well as various clinical materials through Teachers Pay Teachers.
Joshua Alexander, PhD, CCC-A, is an associate professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he received a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in audiology degree. There, he also researched speech perception as a post-doctoral scientist. He also completed clinical and post-doctoral fellowships at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. The central goal of Dr. Alexander’s research is to improve speech understanding and decrease listening effort in hearing aid users.
Rachel Archambault, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language program specialist for Broward County Public Schools. After experiencing a nationally publicized traumatic experience at her workplace, she looked for ways to help work with students (and herself) after trauma. She found trauma-informed care and has been presenting nationally to speech-language pathologists as well as other healthcare providers on how trauma informed care can be used in their setting.
Rachel Hahn Arkenberg, MS, CCC-SLP, is a medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) and educator. She strives to mentor the next generation of SLPs to be thoughtful and compassionate clinicians and conducts research to improve our understanding of pediatric development. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the I-EaT lab with Dr. Georgia Malandraki, where she uses a dynamic systems approach to study neurodevelopment of feeding and swallowing in the context of culture, speech and motor development.
Mary Hart Benecke, MS, OTR/L, BCP, is an outpatient pediatric occupational therapist. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elon University (NC) in 2010, and a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012. After a brief school-based occupational therapy position, Mary worked in outpatient pediatrics at Duke Hospital from 2013-2021. She joined the team at Riley Hospital for Children in 2021. She earned her board certification in pediatrics through American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2019, and sensory integration certificate through University of Southern California (USC) in 2021. Mary enjoys working with students and engaging in mentorship opportunities with team members. Clinical areas of focus include brachial plexus palsy, cerebral palsy, infant feeding and sensory integration. Her work is child-led and family centered, with a focus on neurodiversity affirming practices that see the child as a whole person. She is passionate about authentic occupational engagement for her clients. Outside of work, Mary enjoys taking her miniature dachshund and golden retriever on walks, exploring local restaurants and watching Friends.
William (Bill) Bolden, III, MA, CCC-SLP, is project coordinator (speech-language pathology) and doctoral candidate at Kent State University. He is a graduate of Kent State, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Since graduation, Bill has worked exclusively in the public-school setting, driven by his passion for language and literacy development. For the last several years, he has worked at the university providing school-based speech and language services via telepractice. Additionally, he has supervised graduate student clinicians as part of their clinical practicum in both on-site and telepractice settings. Bill lectures on topics related to telepractice and language disorders. He has presented at both the state and national level, including several contributions to online professional development platforms. Additionally, Bill has taught coursework related to language disorders in children and adolescents as an adjunct course instructor.
Rachel Dalzell, AuD, is the clinical territory manager for Cochlear Americas. Rachel earned both her doctorate of audiology and bachelor’s degree at Indiana University. Dr. Dalzell is passionate about expanding access to cochlear implant technology in her home state of Indiana.
Susan Foster, MS, CCC-SLP/L, is a licensed speech-language pathologist. Susan works as an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) coach in the integrated-assistive technology services department at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 in Illinois. She works with students and their teams in TrueNorth programs as well as across member districts in obtaining and implementing a wide variety of AAC supports and resources. Susan has experience working with individuals with complex communication needs ranging from early childhood through transition age. She has provided numerous trainings at TrueNorth as well as on the implementation of a coaching-based model for AT supports at national conferences.
Kendrea Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS, is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh. She is the principal investigator of the Swallowing Disorders Initiative Research Laboratory. Further, she is vice chairperson of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and is the current editor of ASHA Perspectives of the Special Interest Groups for SIG 13, Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. You may find some of her scholarly contributions related to obstructive sleep apnea in Sleep and Breathing.
Jacqueline Hall-Katter, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, received her master’s degree from Purdue University in 1992. She has worked exclusively with deaf and hard of hearing children for 27 years, first at the Indiana School for the Deaf before transitioning full-time to the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2016. Jackie is a board-certified specialist in child language. She is bilingual (ASL/English) and holds a certification in cultural and linguistic diversity. She has advanced training in diagnostics, bilingual evaluations and child language development and disorders, including printed language. Jackie has received seven ASHA Awards for Continuing Education (ACE). She is the mother of four adult children. All four children have ADHD and the two middle children are deaf and graduated from ISD. She is the proud Ama for her first grandson.
Lauren Holden, MA, CCC-SLP, is an employee of Riley Hospital for Children.
Kelly Knollman-Porter, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an associate professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Miami University. She directs the Neurogenic Language and Cognition Lab where her clinical research focuses on the development of restorative treatments and compensatory strategies for adults with cognitive and communication deficits associated with acquired brain injury. Specifically, Dr. Knollman-Porter’s NIH funded research examines the development and effectiveness of technological supports to facilitate the reading comprehension of adults with aphasia. She also explores the subtle reading processing differences exhibited by adults with aphasia through eye tracking technology. Dr. Knollman-Porter directs the Miami University Concussion Management Program where her secondary research focuses on the development of assessment measures and treatments to manage the cognitive and communication challenges often associated with mild traumatic brain injury. She has more than 30 years of experience working directly with adults with acquired brain injury.
Lydia Kruse, MS, CCC-SLP, is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. She specializes in voice and upper airway disorders, including Parkinson’s voice therapy, alaryngeal voice restoration, inducible laryngeal obstruction and gender-affirming voice therapy. Lydia runs three clinical practicums for the Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology Program at Purdue in which she provides clinical education and experience for the graduate students to fulfill the voice requirement. She also teaches a 400-level undergraduate course on voice, upper airway and swallowing disorders.
Erin Lynch, PhD, AuD, CCC-A, is a lecturer in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She received her Doctor of Philosophy as well as a Doctorate of Audiology degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Her current work investigates connections between capacity limitations of cognitive mechanisms such as working memory, attentional demands of listening scenarios, instances of distraction and effects of aging.
Erica Maginn-Doss, MA, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with eight years experience providing cognitive-communication and dysphagia services to the pediatric population in the inpatient rehabilitation and acute care settings. Erica is a leader among the inpatient speech team at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in supporting patients with complex neurological and respiratory needs.
Georgia A. Malandraki, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is professor of speech, language and hearing sciences and biomedical engineering at Purdue University and a board-certified specialist in swallowing disorders. She investigates developmental and treatment neuroplasticity and rehabilitative and telehealth interventions for dysphagia. Dr. Malandraki’s work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and several foundations. She was the 2022-2023 president of the Dysphagia Research Society and is Editor of American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (AJSLP).
Heidi Moreland, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLD, is the clinical coordinator and treating therapist with Thrive by Spectrum Pediatrics. Heidi is a self-proclaimed research geek, but also has more than 30 years of practical experience in working with children. For the past 25 years, she has specialized in working with children who have feeding challenges in a variety of settings, including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), outpatient clinic and in-home treatment. Relying on her training in communication, childhood development and feeding and swallowing development, Heidi helps children develop a trusting relationship with food that allows their skills to flourish. She loves helping children and families work together to develop happy and healthy mealtime communication and habits that will last and grow as they do. Heidi supports families virtually and in-person and is a frequent speaker on pediatric feeding treatment nationally and internationally.
Kjari C. Newell, MA, received her master’s degree from Ball State University in 2012. Her work of the past 17 years has exclusively focused on working with deaf and hard of hearing children and their caregivers; starting as an itinerate teacher for the deaf (ages three through high school exit) for eight years then transitioning to birth to age three service provision as an early interventionist via the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education in 2014. Kjari is bilingual (English/ASL) and was recognized in 2022 and 2023, with the First Steps Excellence in Service Award for her commitment and dedication to serving Indiana families within the First Steps system. Kjari’s passion in the field is to ensure that services embrace each family’s heritage language, home culture and unique strengths to provide equitable, inclusive, accessible and appropriate high-quality interventions as expediently to maximize growth and development.
Lesley Raisor-Becker, PhD, is a researcher, teacher and practicing clinician specializing in the language and literacy development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Her research interests include the effects of prenatal drug/alcohol exposure on development, social skill and executive function in children and pedagogy/supervision. She is also interested in the use of integrative health practices in allied health disciplines. Dr. Raisor-Becker currently serves as the graduate program director for online master’s speech-language pathology programs at University of Cincinnati and she serves as the speech-language pathologist faculty member for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Training Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Travis Riffle, PhD, AuD, CCC-A, is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He received both his Doctorate of Audiology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His research interests are in cognitive hearing science, with topics including attention, memory, cognition, distraction and tinnitus.
Theresa H. Rodgers, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, L-SLP, EdS (LD) is an ASHA Fellow and a speech-language pathologist in the metro Baton Rouge area. She is a former Chief Administrative Officer for a government entity, and a former special education supervisor and SLP for the Ascension Parish School System where she was employed for thirty-three years. Theresa was the 2020 ASHA President, is a former Chair of the ASHA Board of Ethics and the Ethics Education Subcommittee. She served six (nonconsecutive) terms on the Louisiana licensure board including three years as Chair and was a member of the hearing panel for numerous disciplinary hearings. Theresa is a former President of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB), the Council of State Association Presidents, and the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has provided ethics training for new licensure board members at the NCSB annual conference for twenty years, co-wrote a Code of Ethics for SLP Assistants, was one of three SLPs on ASHA’s 2022 Code of Ethics Revision Subcommittee, and is a frequent invited presenter on the topic of ethics.
Kaitlyn Schmitt, MS, CCC-SLP is an employee of Riley Hospital for children.
Audra Shestak, AuD, is the senior territory manager for Cochlear Americas. Audra received her Doctorate of Audiology from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University. Audra is passionate about expanding assess to cochlear implant technology for patients in her home state of Indiana.
Debra Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a clinical professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky and a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. She serves as associate editor for the journal Dysphagia and previously served as associate editor for American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. She has published two textbooks, The Yale Swallow Protocol: An Evidence-Based Approach to Decision Making and Assessing and Treating Dysphagia: A Lifespan Perspective. She has served on the Dysphagia Research Society Board and the American Board for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. She is the past-chair of the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the council responsible for establishing standards for the certification of audiologists and speech-language pathologists within the United States. Her research focuses on screening and assessment of adults with dysphagia. Dr. Suiter has more than 25 years of clinical practice as a speech-language pathologist, working in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and outpatient settings. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring that patients receive accurate, reliable and timely assessments of swallowing in order to ensure they receive proper treatment and to mitigate the risks of unrecognized oropharyngeal dysphagia. Dr. Suiter’s work has led to shifts within the profession of speech-language pathology regarding early identification of dysphagia and in how and when to begin consideration of oral feeding for our patients. The Yale Swallow protocol, a protocol for identifying signs/symptoms of aspiration in individuals at risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia, is used in medical centers throughout the United States as well as Europe and Asia.
Mindy Thomas was born and raised in a small town just south of Fort Wayne, Indiana. After high school graduation, she did the typical college experience at Ball State University. Upon earning a bachelor’s degree, Mindy lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, working in a few marketing jobs and eventually meeting her husband. They were married for about two years when they found out Mindy was pregnant with their daughter! At that time, they decided to move back to the Fort Wayne area to be closer to Mindy’s family. After high school graduation, Mindy attended Ball State University earning a general studies major and minors in journalism, creative writing and telecommunications. As time went on, Mindy decided to take some marketing and web design classes. Finally, as of July of 2023, she earned a Digital Marketing Professional Certification through the American Marketing Association and the Digital Marketing Institute. With this certificate, she has advanced training with email marketing, digital ads and digital marketing strategies.
Adria Thompson, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with more than nine years of experience in dementia care. She is the owner of Be Light Care Consulting, where she creates educational content for professional and personal caregivers on social media platforms. Adria also provides one-on-one caregiver consultations, creates continuing education courses and works with senior care companies and brands to market their services. With a passion for increasing awareness of dementia care, Adria is a sought-after speaker who has presented at conferences and events across the country. She holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Eastern Kentucky University.
Megan Brown, MS, CCC-SLP/L, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who currently works as an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) coach in the integrated-assistive technology services department at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 in Illinois. She has extensive experience working with students with complex communication needs ranging from preschool to transition age. Megan supports teams in obtaining a wide variety of communication supports and using implementation strategies to bolster communication across the student’s day. She regularly provides trainings at TrueNorth and has presented on the teaching of aided visual symbols and on the implementation of a coaching-based model for AT supports at national conferences.
Jenna Trost, OTD, OTR/L is a pediatric outpatient occupational therapist. Jenna received her undergraduate degree from Centre College in behavioral neuroscience and her occupational therapy doctorate from Creighton University. She has worked in First Steps, a private outpatient clinic, and joined Riley’s outpatient occupational therapy team in 2021. Jenna is passionate about treating children with burns, sensory processing disorders, and feeding difficulties. She is also very passionate about advocating for families to get the assistance and services that they need and helping them learn how to advocate for themselves and their child. Jenna additionally works an adjunct faculty member at UIndy’s occupational therapy program advising capstone students. Outside of work, Jenna enjoys walking her dogs Jazmine, Jack and Poppy, crafting and reading.
Christina Turner, MA, CCC-SLP, comes from a diverse speech-language pathology background providing services in various medical, early intervention and school settings. She is currently an assistant lecturer in speech-language pathology at Ball State University. She’s an early intervention specialist with more than 15 years of experience working with children with hearing loss and their families.