Susie Appleman
Founder/Director of Big Apple Speech Therapy LLCSusie is an ASHA certified, Arizona State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped. Finally, she is the founder and director of Big Apple Speech Therapy, LLC.
She has over twenty-five years of experience working with infants, children, and adults with varying degrees of communication impairments or orofacial myofunctional disorders. She has worked in school settings, private practice, and developmental centers.
She has presented at several local, regional and national conferences on autism spectrum disorder, home and school environmental organization programs, identifying tongue ties, explaining tongue ties to parents in the schools as well as how to use myofunctional therapy to AI in traditional speech therapy.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Appleman is receiving an honorarium for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: Ms. Appleman is a member of AAPPSPA.
Stephen Baker
Co-founder/Speech Language Pathologist of Small Talk TherapyStephen has been practicing speech therapy since 2013. He is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). He attended California State University- Northridge for both his bachelor's in Business Administration and his master's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Currently, Stephen provides speech language services in private practice, hospital, and public school settings. He has experience with working on multi-disciplinary teams where he has provided assessments and direct therapy to children. He has worked in birth to 3, elementary, middle school, and clinical settings. He has worked with children with various disabilities including autism, speech language impairments, fluency stuttering, hearing impairments, and other health impairments. Stephen has had success in treating individuals with disabilities and delays including, Autism, late-talkers, Specific Language Impairments, Articulation and Phonological disorders, Stuttering, Pragmatic and Social delays, and Verbal Apraxia of Speech. In Stephen's private practice he services the populations of birth to adult. In the hospital setting, Stephen provided diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing impairments in adults secondary to a variety of disorders including CVA, traumatic brain injury, degenerative neurological diseases, head and neck cancer, and encephalopathy.
Financial disclosure: Mr. Baker is receiving an honorarium for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: Mr. Baker is a member of AAPPSPA.
Summer Baker
Founder/Speech Language Pathologist of Small Talk TherapySummer Baker is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder and CEO of Small Talk Therapy, Inc. In 2015 Summer opened Small Talk Therapy as a minority woman owned Business. Small Talk Therapy is a rehabilitation center that provides speech therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, physical therapy, child developmental services, socialization groups, and audiological services. In 2021 Summer opened a second Small Talk Therapy location.
Summer has been practicing speech therapy since 2005. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Summer attended CSU-Fresno for her Bachelor of Science degree and CSU-Northridge for her master's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders. She works with patients across the lifespan. Summer has had success in treating individuals with disabilities and delays including, Autism, late-talkers, Specific Language Impairments, Dysphagia, Aphasia, Articulation and Phonological disorders, Stuttering. Pragmatic and Social delays, and Verbal Apraxia of Speech. Summer is trained in PECs implementation, is a pediatric feeding therapist with SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Certifications and Feed the Peds certification.
Before Small Talk Therapy, Summer worked for 16 years in the public-school setting on a multi-disciplinary team where she provided assessments and direct therapy to children.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Baker is receiving an honorarium for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: Ms. Baker is a member of AAPPSPA.
Tamala Close
Owner at C & S Virtual Staffing Solutions LLC and Close to Perfection Speech Therapy Services LLCTamala Close is the owner of C&S Virtual Staffing Solutions, LLC, and Close to Perfection
Speech Therapy Services, LLC. She also serves as the administrator of SLP Private Practice in
Color.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Close is receiving an honorarium for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Rick Davis
Public Speaking/Leadership Development at Prolific Presentations“Pessimistic,” “Bland,” and “Lawn Gnome-ish” are extremely rare words used when describing Rick Davis. Sharing interaction, communication, and development strategies which resonate with business professionals and organizations, he provides a safe and encouraging environment for any audience who wants to boost their performance and collaborations for better results. Rick has delivered training and keynote presentations at John Deere, Best Buy, and other nationally recognized brands, associations, and universities. Areas in which he can help you improve and get better results include:
- Practical Professional Development
- Presentation Training
- Professional Networking
- Employee Engagement
- Team Building
...and more!
His performance background includes professional improvisational comedy, stand-up comedy, acting, directing, copywriting, voice-over and on-camera talent, and hosting game shows. Performing for over 1,500,000 people in live settings, Rick truly understands how to adapt to the ambitions of audiences who want tangible results from the information they receive. You’re sure to stretch, grow, and have a great time laughing and learning with Rick!
Financial disclosure: Mr. Davis is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Britney Desir
Owner at Therapeutic Endeavors, LLCBritney Desir is the owner of Therapeutic Endeavors, LLC, and serves as an administrator of
SLP Private Practice in Color.
Financial Disclosure: Ms. Desir is receiving an honorarium for speaking at this conference.
Non-financial Disclosure: none
Joe Fingerhut
Speaker at Joe Fingerhut.comJoe Fingerhut helps people and organizations unlock potential and possibility with the shift in mindset from “I Can’t” to “HOW CAN I?” As an award-winning speaker, DJ, magician, and juggler, Joe energizes audiences with a one-of-a-kind, must-see experience. He has spent three decades leading and training people and organizations to a higher level. With endless stories and lessons that apply to organizations, professionals, and student leaders, Joe inspires audiences across the globe. Joe’s programs ignite energy and potential – starting at your event, and carrying over to everyday life and work experience. These tools to help overcome adversity and apathy lead to more productive, positive people and teams that get results.
Financial disclosure: Mr. Fingerhut is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Dustin James
MOMENTS LeadershipDustin E. James is America’s Top Corporate Energizer, International speaker, and performance coach. He is on a mission to elevate the workplace, helping increase sales performance, building resilient, connected, and creative leaders. This motivational speaking powerhouse has presented to over 500,000 individuals in-person and virtually throughout the United States. He has spoken to nearly every sector in business and dozens of national conferences. He has earned and is a recognized Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Dustin’s interactive learning experiences motivate and inspire through massive crowd engagement, creativity, and professional story telling. Creativity is his calling cards, with over 200+ plus transformational stories tailored for each of his events. Dustin has been a TOP PERFORMER in 4 different industries, he is a proud husband and father of two, he is a serial entrepreneur and a TEDx Speaker.
Financial disclosure: Mr. James is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
TiWanna Kenney
Strategist at Marquam AgencyCharismatic, witty, and full of energy- TK is the fearless hero we’ve all cheered on. She leads with passion to inspire better employee engagement. She is a U.S. Army veteran, connector of people, and loves to solve problems, making her an excellent consultant. Her presence is commanding and draws in the audience. She has lived all over the globe and loves exploring different cultures. Inspiring change and service are her passions. Allow TK's voice to be the one to help inspire as you aspire for higher customer experiences by creating a stronger employee experience.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Kenney is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Frank Kitchen
Certified Speaking Professional at Frank Kitchen.comMotivational Speaker and Author, Frank Kitchen works with Organizations who want to Fire Up the performance of their teams. Frank has over 30 Years of Talent Development experience as an award-winning retail manager, trainer, college educator, performer, and Professional Speaker. All of his Interactive "Kitchen inspired" learning experiences Demonstrate how to Flip Your Mindset and Cook Up the Results You and Your Team Hunger For. Frank has been recognized by the National Speaker Association as one of the top Professional Speakers in the world.
Financial disclosure: Mr. Kitchen is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Tricia Mueller
Partner at Smith Mueller, LLCTricia received her Bachelor’s degree Summa Cum Laude from Saint Louis University and her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. She is currently a partner at her law firm Smith Mueller, LLC based in St Louis, Missouri. For over 20 years, Tricia has concentrated her practice on tort law, professional liability and health law. Tricia advises healthcare providers, physician groups, insurance companies, and hospitals on a wide range of legal business matters. She also writes and lectures on various health law and medical negligence issues. She also is the legal advisor for AAPPSPA and its members.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Mueller is the attorney for AAPPSPA and receives a consulting fee from the organization. She has received no speaking fee for this event, but will receive travel expense reimbursement.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Courtney Ramsey
President at National Speakers Association of North TexasWith a focus on relationship-building and communication, Courtney Ramsey helps leaders and high performers quit hitting snooze on the things that drive employee satisfaction, retention, and engagement. Courtney received her MBA and BBA from Texas A&M University and was part of the adjunct faculty at SMU’s Cox School of Business. She’s a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) with the Society of Human Resource Management and Certified Training Professional (CPTD) with the Association for Talent Development. She’s also the President of the National Speakers Association of North Texas. As a wife and mom, her idea of a good time is true crime, a glass of wine, and being in bed by nine. (Dateline is her favorite!)
Financial disclosure: Ms. Ramsey is receiving a fee for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: none
Jyothi Shankar
Owner/Principal Consultant at Mind Your Gaps, LLCJyothi Shankar is the owner and Principal Consultant in her small business practice, Mind Your Gaps, LLC. Jyothi works collaboratively with her clients to solve problems related to new hire/employee productivity and performance, business process effectiveness, documentation and training needs, Jyothi’s areas of expertise lie in Learning Design and User Experience Design. As part of Learning Design, she adopts a methodology to understand reasons behind a performance problem before recommending and implementing learning and training solutions. To increase the User/Customer Experience, Jyothi uses the principles of Human Centered design and also review underlying processes and makes recommendations to optimize them for business productivity and better customer service.
Jyothi has a varied experience, both domestically and internationally with projects in the private sector and government. Though primarily in the US, she has enjoyed living and working in a couple different countries around the world. She has advances degrees in both Human Factors and Instructional Design. For details, please visit www.mindyourgaps.com.
Financial disclosure: Ms. Shankar is receiving an honorarium for speaking.
Non-financial disclosure: Ms. Shankar had a previous professional consulting relationship with an individual member of AAPPSPA.