Debbie Yones, M.S., CCC-SLP
Executive Director: Debbie is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and has over 10 years of experience working exclusively with patients with Neurogenic Disorders such as aphasia, ALS, and forms of dementia. She received her master’s degree from the University of South Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. Debbie is an affiliate of AphasiaAccess and the National Aphasia Association and is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Sciences & Disorders. She is frequently invited as a guest lecturer to the graduate program at USF-Tampa, USF-St Petersburg, and others to talk about delivering patient-centered care to people with aphasia. In 2020, Mayor Rick Kriseman appointed Debbie to the St. Petersburg Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments (CAPI). Prior to earning her master’s degree, Debbie worked for over 15 years as a consultant providing business process and technology services to Fortune 500 Companies.
Brooke Owen, M.S., CCC-SLP
Lead Program Coordinator: Brooke completed her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida in August of 2018. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is a member of AphasiaAccess and is an invited guest lecturer for the graduate-level course on Neurogenic Disorders at USF. Brooke has been a part of the Voices of Hope for Aphasia family since 2015; as volunteer, administrative assistant, Program Assistant, and now Program Coordinator.
Lauren Hoadley, M.S., CCC-SLP
Program Coordinator: Lauren graduated from the University of South Florida in August 2018 with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed my clinical fellowship at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, where she gained experience working with adults with communication disorders. Prior to earning her master’s degree, Lauren graduated from Eckerd College in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Development. Lauren joined Voices of Hope for Aphasia in January 2020; only two months before reinventing the core programs with Brooke to continue to serve our members remotely. She is a member of AphasiaAccess and is an invited guest lecturer for the graduate-level course on Neurogenic Disorders at USF.
Alan Mohney, Jr.
Adventure and Outreach Coordinator: Alan is a professional actor who studied acting and theatre management at Florida Southern College and Greensboro College (NC). He has worked for the past seventeen years in the management, support, and development of not-for-profit arts organizations in the Tampa Bay area.
Mia Fox
Program Assistant: Mia graduated from USF-St Pete in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s in Health Sciences with a concentration in Communication Science and Disorders. She interns at the Speech Therapy clinic at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and at a private practice, Because You Can. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and trying different local coffee shops. She is also in the midst of applying to graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology.
Adam Al Mutawa
Volunteer: Adam is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated with his Master’s degree from the University of South Florida. Adam currently provides SLP services to both in-patients and out-patients at a Tampa Bay area hospital. Adam wanted to run the Dudes with Aphasia group in order to provide a place of support where young men with aphasia could share their experiences and challenges with other individuals they could relate to.
Melanie Chacon
Volunteer: Melanie graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders in May of 2018. She started volunteering at Voices of Hope because she wants to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and work with people who have aphasia. She is currently attending Jacksonville University in the Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program.
Margie Donley
Volunteer: Margie is happy to connect with Voices of Hope. She spent the last few years as a caregiver for her husband who had Primary Progressive Aphasia. She has recently retired to North Redington Beach and is enjoying exploring the area. She looks forward to working with Voices of Hope participants and their families.
Andi Hunsinger
Volunteer: Andi earned her Bachelor’s from West Virginia University and her Master’s from the University of Tennessee, both in speech pathology. She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, home health and outpatient clinics. She focuses on adult communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders. (Volunteering for VOHFA seems a good way to stay off the streets and out of the taverns.)
Emma Logan
Volunteer: Emma will be graduating with her Bachelors in Communication Sciences and Disorders in May 2020, and will begin pursuing her Masters at the University of South Florida in Fall of 2020. She lives in Tampa but loves coming to St Pete every week to volunteer, and hopes to work with people living with aphasia in the future.
