Our first annual Voices of Hope for Aphasia conference was a great success! Thank you to all who attended the educational sessions and the cocktail reception and silent auction!
Congratulations to our inaugural Founder’s Award winner, Carol Dow-Richards! Carol was selected from other very qualified nominees for her dedication and service to aphasia awareness and support.
Click here for pictures of the event!
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
Monta has been a practicing attorney and HR leader for 30+ years, serving as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer for several global companies specializing in field services. She supports many local charities and is a passionate advocate for those with aphasia. Monta is the daughter of a person with Aphasia who passed away. She has been a Board member since 2023.
Program Assistant: Samantha is a Social Media Manager, Graphic Designer, and professional actor. She studied Digital Media Marketing at St. Petersburg College and is currently enrolled in the University of Toronto studying English as a Foreign Language. Her interest in working with those with aphasia started during her work as a Simulation Specialist at St. Leo University and recently became more personal as her family copes with the condition. Samantha also manages the social media and marketing for several non-profit and performance art venues.
Program Assistant: Alex graduated from Nova Southeastern University in August 2024 with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has gained experience working with both pediatrics and adults with a wide variety of communication disorders. Prior to earning her master’s degree, Alex graduated from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She worked for 14 years in healthcare and the non-profit space, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, as well as the American College of Cardiology. Her interest with people with aphasia started during graduate school, when she completed her adult placement with adults with neurogenic disorders. Alex joined the Voices of Hope team in 2024, and looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of people with aphasia, and spreading awareness to others.
James is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in fundraising and development in a healthcare setting and travel management. He has held pivotal roles at Tampa Bay based non-profits and corporations. During his tenure with a Pinellas County based FQHC (Federally Qualified health center), James contributed significantly to the organization’s mission of providing comprehensive healthcare services and is renowned for its inclusive primary care, pediatric services, counseling, and specialized programs such as HIV care and transgender health services. James’s work helped expand these critical services across Tampa Bay, ensuring greater accessibility and support for underrepresented communities. James’s commitment to community service and his ability to lead in various industries highlight his versatile skill set and dedication to making a positive impact.
Sheron graduated from University of Banglore with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. She is currently in the prospects of meeting the licensure requirements to practice as an SLP in the United States.
“Being an SLP has been rewarding because I love watching their confidence grow as they become better communicators. I am excited to be a part of VOH to positively impact people’s lives and to support individuals with Aphasia.” – Sheron
Program Assistant: Cyndee served as Program Coordinator at Voices of Hope for Aphasia from late 2016 through 2018. She launched our Dunedin and STARS Programs. Cyndee obtained a BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders and MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida. She worked in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and private practice and has over 36 years of experience as both consumer and provider of treatment for people with communication disorders. She sat on both sides of the therapy table. Her interest in people with aphasia developed during grad school, where she completed a specialty practicum using gesture, drawing, and Melodic Intonation Therapy to treat a person with long-term aphasia and apraxia. She has presented at multiple conferences in and out-of-state and testified before the Telehealth Committee of the Florida Legislature to advocate for the state’s inclusion of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists as providers of telehealth services.
Rachel graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree. Rachel experienced losing a close loved one to Leukemia and after witnessing the struggles of the disease and being in the hospital setting it brought her to this career path. Rachel currently attends Gannon University and will graduate in July 2023 with her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is passionate about helping build confidence in people and is grateful to have the opportunity to connect with the members of Voices of Hope for Aphasia. Following graduate school, she hopes to be able to work with both adults and pediatrics.
Maddy graduated from Florida State University in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is currently working on completing prerequisite classes needed to apply to graduate programs for speech language pathology. She hopes to start her Master’s program in Fall 2024. In the meantime she works as a Teacher’s Assistant at a local elementary school. Maddy enjoys volunteering at VOH and hearing all the members’ experiences and stories.
Dave Billingsley is a fierce advocate for his wife and all people living with aphasia. He is a retired commercial fisherman and current owner of Yosemite Toad Inn, LLC, a real-estate investment firm. Dave, and his wife, Amy, split their time between Newport Beach, California and Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He joined the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in Dec 2022.
Volunteer: Vesna graduated from Kent State University with a master’s degree in Community Counseling, and currently works with her husband who runs a computer software company. After her mom suffered a stroke, Vesna felt a deep desire to be of service to others who are experiencing difficulty communicating following a stroke or other acquired brain injury. She enjoys the opportunity to connect with the members of Voices of Hope for Aphasia, and finds it incredibly rewarding to be a part of their community.
Mike Caputo founded Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2011 with his wife, Kathy, when they realized that nothing existed for people with aphasia once speech therapy services ran out. He understood that aphasia is a life-long condition that requires life-long supports to keep improving and participating in life. Mike is a person with aphasia and his voice on the Board of Directors is invaluable as we strive to serve people with aphasia. To read more about Mike, visit the Founders page.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Jackie Hinckley has over 25 years of experience directing clinical and research programs that specialize in the treatment of aphasia and related neurologic communication disorders. She is an associate professor at Nova Southeastern University and Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida.
Dr. Arthur Guilford was the Regional Chancellor Emeritus from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee after retiring after 40 years of service to USF. Dr. Guilford is a Speech-Language Pathologist with an extensive publication history concerning individuals with neurological communication disorders.
Jeff Renzulli is an attorney and entrepreneur based in Northern Virginia. He currently serves as a board member and general counsel for Buffalo Groupe, LLC, a golf lifestyle marketing agency. He has personal experience with aphasia, as his father had this condition for several years until passing in 2005. Jeff has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2019.
Gary Panaro has over 30 years of Sales, Financial and Business Operations experience with several established and start–up high-tech companies. He is currently Director of AEC Named Accounts Sales at Autodesk where he has worked for the past 16 years. Gary resides in Boston, MA. Gary has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
Steve Blum has over 30 years of Engineering, Sales, Channel, and Consulting experience in worldwide markets for high tech companies. He is currently Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations at Autodesk, Inc where he has worked for the last 18 years. Steve is on the Advisory Boards of two high-tech companies as well as on the Board of the Autodesk Foundation, a non-profit. Steve is based in Plano, Texas. Steve has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2015.
Ken Bado has been transforming IT companies for the last 30 years. In addition to being CEO of GMB Consulting LLC, he sits on boards of high growth software companies and various non-profits including current Chairman of Bethany College. Ken is based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Ken was a founding board member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2013.
Des Welch is a retired Air Force pilot, NASA trainer and IT specialist. He was married to Danniella Muheim, who had aphasia and attended Voices of Hope for Aphasia sessions many times. Des and Dannie lived in Maryland, but made frequent trips to St. Petersburg for the resources available for people with aphasia. Des has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
MC Daughtry is Producing Branch Manager of Waterstone Mortgage and member of the President’s Club. In addition to serving with Voices of Hope for Aphasia, she has also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Big Brother Big Sisters, & Beach Stewardship for Treasure Island City. Mary Catherine is the wife of a person with aphasia. She has served on the board of Voices of Hope for Aphasia since 2016.
John Valavanis has over 25 years of services, operations and consulting expertise developed in high tech companies. Today, John is Vice President of Operations for AffluenceConnect, a social networking site for the accomplished. John was a founding board member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia in 2013.
Stephen Miller has had a highly successful career in accounting and finance, having been named to Accounting Today’s list of “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting”, and operating his own accounting practice for nearly 20 years. Throughout his 32-year career in the Tampa Bay area, Stephen has assisted numerous charitable and religious organizations in his capacity as CPA as well as a board member. Stephen is the husband of a person with aphasia. He has served on the Voices of Hope for Aphasia board since 2017.