2025 Convention Speakers

Hedaya Abdulgefar is an undergraduate international student at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is in her fourth year and aspires to become an audiologist.

Alissa Allison is from Minnesota and completed her  undergraduate and graduate work in Minnesota, in addition to working first two clinical years in St. Paul, MN. Alissa became a medical speech pathologist traveler  in 2020 and currently works at UCHealth Colorado Health System.

Lucy Arias is the Early Language and Literacy Specialist and was previously the Preschool Development Grant Tribal Nations Lead at the Minnesota Department of Education. She earned her BS in Child Psychology and M.Ed. in Parent and Family Education from the University of Minnesota. Her career in early childhood spans 30 years and includes classroom teacher, program director, research, family education, advocacy and Early Childhood Care and Education professional development.

Mary Bauman Spooner is a an assistant professor at St. Cloud State University (SCSU), Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Mary is a speech language pathologist clinical instructor for SCSU Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic and teaches the graduate level AAC course. She has 20 + years of experience in the public school systems working primarily with children who had complex communication needs.

Sarah Betzold is a clinical audiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is the Diagnostic Section Lead, overseeing and supporting the adult, pediatric, and hospital service teams. She sees adult patients in the diagnostic wing as well as in the Mayo Clinic Hearing Aid Program, working with traditional and bone-anchored devices. She is also a preceptor for Mayo’s two fourth-year externs in the diagnostic wing.

Erin Bodner is a speech-language therapist specializing in stuttering and a Clinical Supervisor at the University of Minnesota. She currently supervises and teaches graduate students during their first clinical education practicum. Erin received her BA from Colby College and her MA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She previously worked in the public schools with students ranging from preschool to high school. She presents around the state of Minnesota on stutter-affirming and acceptance-based therapy approaches. In 2009, she co-founded the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Camp for Kids Who Stutter, a day camp that promotes communication confidence and building a support community. Erin holds the Ally of Stuttering™ seal from Spero Stuttering. She has no financial relationship to disclose.

Sheila Cina owns The Talking Place in Golden Valley where she provides speech therapy to children, teens and adults, primarily in the areas of articulation and stuttering. She also works for Minneapolis Public Schools as a Speech Language Pathologist and Stuttering/Fluency Disorders Coach. Sheila received her MA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota. Sheila holds the Ally of Stuttering™ seal from Spero Stuttering. She regularly presents around the state of Minnesota on stutter-affirming and acceptance-based therapy approaches. As a volunteer she is on the curriculum committee for Star Lake Out Loud, a wilderness camp in Minnesota for children who stutter and supports the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Stuttering Group, a conversation group for adults who stutter. She has no financial relationship to disclose.

Kate Dole is an Education Specialist with the Early Childhood Special Education team. In her role at MDE, Kate provides technical assistance and professional development on due process and implementation of best practices in Part C and Part B/Preschool. She also works closely with her colleagues in general education to bring an ECSE perspective to work that supports collaborative practices for ongoing assessment, successful transitions from ECSE to kindergarten and use of the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs).

Prior to arriving at MDE, Kate spent 13 years as a speech-language pathologist in both ECSE and at the elementary level in Minnesota public schools, including three years as an ECSE Program Lead. Kate holds an MA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota, an MA in Public Policy and Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Kursten Dubbel, is the Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education. She offers educational opportunities for education professionals to support students with various learning preferences and challenges. Her passion is assuring education professionals have access to information and resources to provide ALL Minnesota students from birth through 21 access to environments, information and educational content!

Dr. Ebert is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is currently researching less-biased assessments in multilingual populations. Dr. Ebert has been a licensed speech-language pathologist for over 20 years and has clinical and instructional experience in school-age language assessment.

Dr. Finestack is a professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research focuses on identifying effective and efficient language assessments and interventions for children with significant language impairments, including children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Down syndrome, and autism.

Brent Fisher is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He earned his AuD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With experience at Oregon Health and Science University and Essentia Health, his interests include cochlear implants, balance, and communication disorders. He is a member of ASHA and AAA.

Jolene Hyppa-Martin is a speech-language pathologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and provides clinical supervision at the Robert F Pierce Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. Dr Hyppa-Martin earned her PhD from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the area of AAC. Research and practice interests include improving social engagement for individuals with severe communication disabilities.

Miriam is a PhD student in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota.  Miriam is an SLP and worked as an early childhood SLP for three years. Her research interests include language assessment and intervention, bilingual intervention, and school-based service delivery models.

HaeJi is a PhD student in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota. HaeJi is a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) and worked as a Korean-English bilingual pediatric outpatient SLP for six years. Her research interests include the treatment, assessment, and diagnosis of speech and language disabilities of multilingual and multicultural children.

Cheryl Luckow is a speech-language pathologist in the Anoka Hennepin Schools with a specialty in AAC. Cheryl also is an independently contracted Augmentative Communication specialist with Technology for HOME grant which provides Assistive Technology consultation throughout the state of Minnesota.

Angie Maier is a speech language pathologist facilitating one MnCAN virtual aphasia conversation group. She serves as a MnCAN Co-Executive Director with areas focusing on Programs and Operations. She received her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Minnesota – Duluth in 2004. Since receiving her degree, she has practiced in both Arizona and Colorado before moving home to Minnesota in 2008. Angie has 20 years experience providing speech language pathology services to adults in the acute care, inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation and home settings. She is passionate about inspiring people with aphasia to participate in life and stay connected.

Olivia is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in the pediatric population, with a strong focus on language disorders and neurodiversity. As the current lab manager of the child language intervention lab, she is dedicated to advancing research that supports evidence-based practices.

Cristin McCormick is a speech-language pathologist at Independent School District 622 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale. She is also affiliated with Children’s Minnesota and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Her clinical interest is AAC in the early childhood population.

Dr. Tena McNamara is employed as an audiologist with Midwest Children’s Therapy and is the coordinator of the Cultural and Informational Hearing Center in Peoria, IL. She retired as an associate professor from the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department at Eastern Illinois University and as an educational audiologist with the Special Education Association of Peoria County after 27 years. She has been a practicing audiologist for over 40 years, with dual certification in speech-language pathology for 33 years.  Her concentration is on aural habilitation/rehabilitation therapy, audiological assessment, literacy, and (central) auditory processing diagnostics/therapy. She co-chaired the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) 2021 Convention and the Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association (ISHA) 2010 and 2011 Conventions.  She has served as President of ISHA and the Educational Audiology Association (EAA). She is the current 2024 Past President of ASHA. Dr. McNamara has received the distinguished Fellowship of the Association Award from ASHA and ISHA.

Julie Neururer is the Interagency Services Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Education. She provides State level leadership for the implementation of policies and procedures related to public and private insurance reimbursement to school districts for special education related services and health and behavioral-related services provided to all students. Prior to working the last four years at MDE, she worked 12 years for a school district as a Third-Party Billing/SEDRA Coordinator and School Social Worker. She has an additional 20 years’ experience working within the health care and medical insurance field.

Katy O’Brien is a Senior Scientific Advisor with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Allina Health. Her research addresses cognitive rehabilitation and return to productivity following traumatic brain injury and concussion, with a particular focus on return to learn, written language, and patient-provider communication.

Kristi Oeding is an Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, with expertise in hearing aids, tinnitus, and patient outcomes. She earned her AuD from Washington University and PhD from University of Minnesota. She is a member of ASHA and AAA, with a background in clinical research.

Licensed speech-language pathologist with more than fifteen years of experience working with children with specific behavioral and medical needs across several settings, twelve years as a certified SLP. Bobbi began her career teaching children who were experiencing homelessness and poverty in Kansas City, MO, as well as supervising children with significant mental health disorders in a level six psychiatric facility. Her specialties include autism and ADHD, complex communication needs, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Danielle Schneeman is a speech language pathologist with over 17 years of clinical experience.  While she has experience with both pediatrics and adults, her primary practice occurred at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and the M Health Fairview’s ENT Clinic working with patients who had communication deficits, dysphagia, and facial nerve paralysis.  Danielle now works casually for the M Health Fairview system and as an adjunct clinical instructor at St. Cloud State University as well as for the University of Minnesota Medical School.

Kathleen Stewart is the IEP and SBCS Consultant for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. She works collaboratively with interagency partners to support schools seeking Medicaid reimbursement for covered IEP and School Based Community Services.

Kristen Swan got her BA from the University of Minnesota – Duluth in Communication Disorders and her MA in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota – St. Paul campus.  She has worked with Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing individuals in a variety of capacities since for over 48 years.  For the past 34 years until her recent retirement in January she worked for HealthPartners-Regions Behavioral Health as a Licensed Psychologist and Mental Health Therapist specializing in the needs of Deaf, Deaf blind and Hard of Hearing patients.  For several years she facilitated a support group for Hard of Hearing individuals, many of them cochlear implant recipients learning to adjust after their surgery.  Over the last decade she has worked closely with the Audiology and ENT department in assessing and evaluating prospective cochlear implant candidates and has provided education and follow up for them as needed.  As a person with an acquired hearing loss herself, she is able to understand and empathize more completely the challenges that people with hearing loss face as they navigate the new realities in their life.

Kari Sween is an assistant professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato.  She teaches American Sign Language courses and oversees adjunct ASL instructors.  Watching students grow in knowledge about ASL and deaf culture to use in their future careers is one of Kari’s favorite aspects of teaching here at MSU, Mankato.

Rebecca Tetlie is a speech-language pathologist and has worked with St. Paul Public Schools for 34 years where she led the Assistive Technology Team with a focus on augmentative communication and assistive technology for reading. She retired in 2020.

Dr. Blair Voigt is a speech-language pathologist employed with the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District, an hour west of the Twin Cities. Blair received her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 2008, master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, and clinical doctorate degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2021.  Professionally, she enjoys working with children with speech sound disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and providing narrative language instruction to elementary aged children. She also places a high value on establishing interprofessional relationships in the school setting. Blair lives in Delano, Minnesota with her husband and two children, but she has also lived in South Dakota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Alaska!

Jessica Wald is a speech-language pathologist facilitating several MnCAN aphasia groups including a virtual conversation group, Young Aphasia Support Group and a Care Partner Support.  She is one of MnCAN’s Co-Executive Directors with areas of focus on Advancement and Communications. Jessica has 20 years of experience working in the adult medical setting with neurological and complex medical diagnoses and has worked with persons with aphasia throughout her career.  She graduated with her masters degree in 2003 from the University of Minnesota and her undergraduate focus was a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Communication Disorders. Additionally, Jessica continues part-time work as a medical speech language pathologist at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation. Jessica loves connecting with people and supporting people with aphasia.