The Friends One-Day Conference is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and learn more about stuttering, supporting their child, and to begin building community. Children’s programming is activity-based and focuses on exploring attitudes and emotions, increasing understanding of stuttering, and instilling a greater sense of confidence — while making FRIENDS! SLPs and students will learn more about stuttering, current therapies, and the support available for those who stutter.

Financial assistance is available. If you would like to attend this one-day conference but you are experiencing financial difficulties and find the cost prohibitive, please reach out to Nic Brow at: nic@friendswhostutter.org 

Katie Gore, M.A., CCC-SLP (she/her) is an SLP, teacher, and stuttering community friend. She spent a decade leading the clinical practice of speech IRL, a private practice specializing in stuttering, and continues to operate the firm as a consulting and resource center for SLPs. Katie is the co-developer of the 3Es stuttering therapy framework, designed to support more holistic and affirming methods of speech therapy. In addition to her work in the field of speech pathology, Katie is the Director of Talent Programming at Macmillan Publishers.

Elisha Boxer Magnifico, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her) is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Northwestern University, and an alumnus of the same institution. With over twenty-five years of experience as a pediatric speech and language pathologist, she has a particular interest in working with people who stutter. Elisha successfully ran a private practice on the East Coast for many years before returning to the Chicagoland area. Her diverse professional background includes working in schools, early intervention, and multi-disciplinary clinics both in the United States and abroad. Elisha created Break the Blocks Improv for teens and tweens who stutter and has co-lead the program with David Catlin since its pilot in winter of 2024.

Nick Caruso M.S., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and a speech-language pathologist at the Chmela Communication Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois where he provides assessment and treatment for clients of all ages who stutter, have other fluency disorders, or have other speech and language needs. Nick is a Facilitator at Camp Shout Out, and a co-director of the Camp Shout Out Community Connections virtual program. He received a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Midwestern University in Downer’s Grove, Illinois in 2020. In recent years, Nick has guest lectured at Midwestern University (fluency course), has presented twice at the Virtual Logopedics Conference in the Czech Republic (with colleagues Kyle Pelkey, M.S., CCC-SLP and Erik Raj, Ph.D., CCC-SLP), and recently presented with Kyle Pelkey at the 2024 Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Lastly, he has run several workshops at various FRIENDS & NSA events. Nick is forever grateful for the relationship with his mentors Kimberly Hoffer, CCC-SLP, and Kristin Chmela M.A., CCC-SLP, BCS-F.

David Catlin (he/him) is the Head of Acting for Northwestern University’s Department of Theatre, and a founding member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company. David is an alumnus of Northwestern University, and is a theatre-maker who acts, writes, directs and teaches. He is the recipient of the 2011 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and the 2018 MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative & Effective Institutions. He has been co-leading Break the Blocks Improv for teens and tweens who stutter with Elisha Boxer Magnifico since its pilot in winter of 2024.

Kristin Chmela M.A. CCC-SLP BCS-SCF (she/her) has helped those who stutter for thirty seven years.  She is president and owner of Chmela Communication Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and co-founder and Director of Training and Therapeutic Experiences at Camp Shout Out. Kristin has taught speech therapists nationally and internationally, is trained in yoga and mindfulness, and loves spending time with her grandsons.  She believes all can choose to evolve as communicators.   

Ana Hernandez, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her) is a speech-language pathologist, owner of Adult Stuttering Services, P.C., and creator of Green Social and the Safe Spaces of Stuttering approach. She works closely with various stuttering organizations, speaks at conferences, and provides professional learning for schools and businesses. Ana’s focus in stuttering support is to foster comfort with speaking and empower people who stutter to say what they want to say.

Caryn Herring Ph.D., CCC-SLP (she/her) is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and the executive director of Friends. Caryn first became involved with Friends in 2010, serving as the Friends Board of Directors Chairperson for 5 years. She graduated with her PhD from Michigan State University, her MS from Purdue University, and her BA from the University of Pittsburgh. Caryn’s research interests include the process of desensitization, reducing adverse impact, and enhancing accessibility for people who stutter. Caryn has presented at conferences and Universities across the country as well as taught and clinically supervised undergraduate and graduate students at Michigan State University, The University of Pittsburgh, Gannon University, and Duquesne University.

Sarah Klusak, M.S. CCC-SLP (she/her) is an SLP specializing in voice, stuttering & cluttering, articulation, and social & professional communication skills.  She also has 30 years of professional singing experience, bringing a unique perspective to her therapy work. Prior to becoming an SLP, Sarah owned and operated a successful small business for over a decade (specializing in high-end custom aquariums). She is passionate about helping people find their best voice, feel more confident, and say exactly what they want to say.

Kate McShane M.A., CCC-SLP (she/her) is a clinical assistant professor at DePaul University in the Speech Language Pathology Program. Kate serves as a clinical educator in DePaul University’s Speech and Language Clinic and has taught graduate courses in the areas of assessment, interprofessional collaboration, and fluency disorders.    

Kyle Pelkey M.S., CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and speech-language pathologist at the Chmela Communication Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois where he provides differential assessment and treatment for clients of all ages who stutter, clutter, have other fluency disorders, or have other speech and language needs. Kyle is a Facilitator at Camp Shout Out each summer and a co-director of the Camp Shout Out Community Connections virtual program. He received a Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania in 2018. During his time at Misericordia, Kyle presented fluency research focusing on neural-imaging studies utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy at both state and national conferences. Kyle is forever grateful for the relationship with his mentors Glen Tellis Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Kristin Chmela M.A., CCC-SLP BCS-F and Erik Raj Ph.D., CCC-SLP, as they have facilitated his evolution as a communicator and clinician.