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. You can contact Debbie via email or by calling 727.249.1953
Carlos Navedo, CFRE, A.P.R.
Director of Development and Outreach: Carlos has over 30 years of experience in non-profit operations and development. Among others, he has helped Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Boys & Girls Club, and OneBlood to grow and expand their operational capacity and community impact. He has first-hand experience with neurological communication disorders and shares Voices of Hope for Aphasia’s passion and commitment to improve quality of life. Carlos is the proud father of two sons and grandfather to 5 grandchildren. He was born in the Bronx, he moved to Florida at the age of 16 and now proudly calls the Tampa Bay area home.
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 her clinical fellowship at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, where she gained experience working with adults with a wide variety of 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.
Cheryl Paul, M.S., CCC-SLP
Program Assistant: Cheryl may be familiar to some as she has been a friend to Voices of Hope for many years. She retired after 21 years as a Clinical Instructor in SLP at the University of South Florida. In those 2 decades, she instructed more than 500 Masters-level SLP students. Cheryl’s original retirement plan was to return to the Peace Corps (perhaps in Fiji this time), but a sweet grandgirl derailed that idea…quickly! Cheryl has been volunteering in our Dunedin location and is now on-staff to run programs there and in our Tampa location.
Kathy Rafal, M.S., CCC-SLP
Program Assistant: Kathy is a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 30 years of experience working with adults with acquired communication impairments due to neurological disorders, such as stroke, MC, Parkinson’s Disease, and dementia. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Kathy spent the majority of her career working in skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies throughout Southeastern Virginia, and St. Pete.
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.
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 enjoys facilitating the Dudes with Aphasia group which provides support and a place where young men with aphasia can share their experiences and challenges with other individuals they can relate to.
Riley Brennecke
Volunteer: Riley will graduate in December 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida. She then plans to pursue her master’s degree in speech language pathology in the fall of 2023. Riley’s passion is language, and she loves being a part of Voices of Hope for Aphasia because she gets to help make an impact in people’s lives after their diagnosis. Her goal is to spread awareness about what aphasia is and how to converse with someone who has aphasia. Most of all, she loves getting to see the fellowship among members because oftentimes, once discharged from the hospital, families are left feeling isolated and wondering what to do next, and VOH provides that much-needed camaraderie.
Dennis Ureña
Volunteer: Dennis comes to VOH with a background in T.V/Radio and is currently completing his final semester at USF with a degree in Language, Speech, and Hearing Sciences. In 2023, he will be pursuing his Master’s degree. Dennis enjoys volunteering at the Dunedin facility and helping as a facilitator of the Dudes of Aphasia group where young men are offered a safe community space to share their life experiences.
