AAC in the Cloud 2025 Presenters

Thank you to all of our presenters for this conference! We are so grateful to all these folks who put in the time and energy to freely share of their insights and perspectives with the AAC community!

Beth Poss

Beth Poss is the Director of Educational Programs for LessonPix. She is a speech/language pathologist, former special education administrator, and former assistant principal. Beth is passionate about designing educational environments that support all students in accessing a rigorous curriculum and meeting educational outcomes. In her work with school districts, universities and national and state level organizations she focuses on literacy, augmentative and alternative communication, Universal Design for Learning and inclusive educational practices. She is one of the authors of Inclusive Learning 365: EdTech Strategies for Every Day of the Year, released in August 2021.

Cheryl Livingston & Kim Gerth

Cheryl has been a SLP for 40 years, working with adults and children in medical settings, home health, consultant for the Prentke Romich Co, in schools and private practice. As a recent retiree as an Augmentative Communication Facilitator, she now provides AAC therapy, creates therapy materials and shares on Teachers Pay Teachers, Facebook and Instagram pages - Cheryl Livingston AAC Support. She is a member of ASHA/Division 12 & MSHA Kim Gerth is a retired SLP who worked for Rockwood School District in St. Louis County, Missouri for 22 years. Kim has 2 autistic sons who inspired her to begin researching and then developing neurodiversity-affirming teaching methodologies as part of a transdisciplinary early childhood special education team. She is a certified Hanen Centre “More Than Words” instructor. Kim has given presentations on topics related to autism, brain-based learning, and communicative competence at the local, state, and national level. In her work with educators, therapists, families, and children, Kim is passionate about building empathetic connections and nurturing relationships in order to encourage individualized, strength-based learning to occur.

Gemma White

Gemma White is an SLP with over 20 years of experience working with AAC. She graduated from the University College London as a Speech Therapist in 2000. She is also a member of RCSLT UK. Gemma moved to NYC 23 years ago and has worked as an SLP on the AAC SIG12: Professional Development Committee for ASHA and volunteered with Makers Making Change NYC . Gemma has worked as a clinician with AAC users across the lifespan, developed applications and shared her clinical expertise presenting for numerous companies including Apple. She has developed CE courses for SLP’s, AT professionals, including for multidisciplinary sessions at ATIA and ASHA. She is currently the Clinical Coordinator at WIHD Assistive Technology Program and Speech Department, Valhalla NY. I receive a salary WIHD as the assistive technology department and speech dept clinical coordinator. I receive salary from a Spoonful of Sugar for practice in New York. I produce keyguards and sell them through a small ETSY store. I am affiliated with ASHA and the Royal College of speech language pathologist and run a volunteer inclusion basketball program in Riverdale.

Heather Roach

Hi, I’m Heather Roach—PODD trainer, AAC and educational consultant, and a passionate advocate for meaningful communication. I specialize in supporting individuals who use AAC and the teams around them, combining professional expertise with lived experience as a parent to a complex communicator. I support both school teams and families by helping build strong communication, literacy, and learning strategies. At school, I work with teachers and therapists to create plans that support students who use AAC. At home, I help families understand IEPs, feel more confident talking with the school team, and find ways to support learning every day. Whether I’m guiding teams through partner-assisted scanning or helping a parent speak up in an IEP meeting, my goal is always the same—making sure communication is possible everywhere, and that each person has the tools they need to grow and succeed.

Kelly Fonner

Kelly is a self-employed consultant and trainer in assistive and educational technology. Since 1986, she has presented to schools, universities & families in 48 US states & internationally in Australia, Canada and South Africa. She presents on a wide range of topics including technology integration, augmentative communication, computer access, literacy, electronic writing, organizers,assistive technology assessment and implementation strategies. Kelly has a B.S. in special education from Millersville University, an M.S. in educational technology with a minor in special education/rehabilitation technology from The Johns Hopkins University, and holds an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate of Learning from CA State University - Northridge. She has pursued additional study in adult and urban education at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Kim Richards

Kim Richards has been a speech-language pathologist for 13 years in the private practice, home health, and school settings. For the last 3 years, Kim has specialized in AAC and is currently employed by Humble Independent School District in Texas as an Assistive Technology Specialist. In addition to her work with students using AAC, she is a mom to an AAC User and advocates for the full inclusion of AAC Users in society.

Laura Clarke

Dr. Laura Clarke is the Director of Special Education for Campbell County Schools and is the parent of an adult AAC user. Dr. Clarke has published articles in Teaching Exceptional Children and Beyond Behavior and presented at AAC in the Cloud in 2024.

Lauren Enders Gonzales

Lauren Enders Gonzales is a licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a career-long focus on Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology. Lauren is president of Engaging AAC Solutions, LLC, a consulting business offering professional development, coaching, resource creation, and social media content creation. For 28 years, Lauren served as a school-based SLP and AAC consultant dedicated to supporting students, teams, and families in their AAC journey. As an adjunct faculty member at the Delaware Valley University, Lauren teaches courses in assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication at the graduate level. Lauren presents at International and National conferences including Closing the Gap, ATIA, ISSAAC and ASHA as well as more intimate conferences, speaking engagements, and webinars. Lauren enjoys sharing resources and information related to all things AAC and AT via her professional social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. She has a passion for coming up with fun uses for common objects and digital tools that build on a learner's interests and support strong connections.

Lauren Terry, Colleen Krummenacker, Ashley Mangold

Lauren Terry, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD, ATP – Lauren is currently employed as an AAC consultant for Numotion Speech Solutions, working with SLPs across central NY to trial, secure, and implement AAC systems for clients of all ages and abilities. Additionally, Lauren is an adjunct professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department in the School of Health and Human Services at Nazareth University where she teaches the Augmentative and Alternative Communication graduate course and has supervised graduate student clinicians in AAC focused practicums. Previously, Lauren has worked as a school based SLP and AT Consultant with students with complex communication needs in grades K-12+. Her experiences focused on evaluation, trial, funding, and implementation of AAC systems through consultation with students, their families, and with other members of a multidisciplinary team. Lauren volunteers as the Vice President of the Genesee Valley Speech Language Hearing Association. Colleen Krummenacker, M.A., CCC-SLP – Colleen is currently employed as an AAC consultant for Numotion Speech Solutions and is based in Colorado. Colleen supports SLPs and families across the state by consulting on cases, offering software and device options, securing trial devices, and processing funding for AAC systems. Colleen has 13 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist in various settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, and in home health. Colleen is passionate about communication access for all. Ashley Mangold, Ph.D., M.S., CCC-SLP – Ashley is currently employed as an AAC Specialist in Tennessee with Numotion Speech Solutions. In this role, she collaborates with SLPs and families to trial, secure, and implement AAC systems tailored to each client’s needs. She is a licensed SLP in Tennessee and holds both an Instructional Leader license and a School Services Personnel license from the Tennessee Department of Education. She regularly provides professional learning and advocacy to support access for people with disabilities, special education law, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches. Previously, Ashley served as a school-based SLP and a school district’s Related Services and AT Specialist, supporting not only SLPs but also OTs, PTs, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teachers. This interdisciplinary experience has given her a deep understanding of how to provide comprehensive and collaborative solutions. She also has extensive experience with AAC evaluation, funding, and implementation for students in K-12 settings as well as designing and delivering staff and parent training. Passionate about providing access for all, Ashley is dedicated to equipping SLPs and families with the tools they need to support individuals with complex communication needs.

Megan A Covey

Megan Alano Covey, M.S., CCC-SLP is an ASHA certified and state licensed speech-language pathologist with experience working with children and young adults with complex communication needs. She practices at Westside Children’s Therapy where she specializes in providing augmentative and alternative communication services. She was an Adjunct Clinical Supervisor at Midwestern University’s Speech-Language Institute and has presented at numerous ASHA conventions, presented at the #TalkingAAC conference, has published research on the test accuracy of pragmatic language and social communication tests, participates in Special Interest Group 12: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is an editor for USSAAC SpeakUp Blog, and is on the USSAAC advocacy committee. Her areas of interest include pediatric speech-language disorders, early intervention services, augmentative and alternative communication, and assistive technology.

Nadia Townsend, Zoe Giatis

Nadia Townsend is a speech-language pathologist based in San Jose, CA. She is an AAC specialist to over 100 AAC users at a public school district. She is also the owner of a small private practice specializing in AAC, and a part-time AAC lecturer at San Jose State University. Nadia is currently pursuing her SLPD at Rocky Mountain University, and a co-creator of the Instagram account ""Growing with AAC."" Zoe Giatis is a speech-language pathologist based in San Jose, CA. She is a full-time SLP and AAC specialist at a public school district. She is also a part-time university lecturer, supervising the AAC clinic and assessment clinic for first year graduate students. Zoe is pursuing her EdD at San Jose State University, where her dissertation is focused on AAC and neurodiversity-affirming practices. She is a co-creator of the Instagram account "Growing with AAC."

Nirmal Nichols (Nic) Pakkiam

Nirmal Nichols (Nic) Pakkiam is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist based in Melbourne, Australia and owner of Voice Within Speech Pathology. Since completing his Masters of Speech Pathology at the University of Queensland in 2011, Nic has worked across various settings including private practice, education, supported accommodation, hospitals, and community health. Nic is passionate about empowering AAC communicators and their families to achieve communication goals. His early career exposure to AAC has helped shape his person-centred approach to therapy, where he prioritises family and key stakeholder involvement in the intervention process.  Nic believes in building collaborative teams that support the AAC communicator’s voice and preferences. His approach emphasises creating sustainable support systems that evolve alongside each individual's communication journey.

Randi Brown, Candace Armstrong

Randi Brown is a speech language pathologist and AAC specialist residing in Fort Worth, TX. She graduated from the Missouri State University undergraduate and graduate SLP programs. Randi currently works for Azle ISD where she serves as SLP and assistive technology specialist. Randi also owns her own AAC consulting business, Randi Brown SLP Resources, where she provides professional development, consultations, and virtual workshops to SLPs, teachers, and parents. In her free time she loves to spend time playing with her two kids and also enjoys watching The Office or Harry Potter with her husband, Chris. Candace has been a speech language pathologist for 27 years and currently works at Azle ISD at this time. She spent three years as a self contained classroom teacher for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. Over the years, autism has become Candace's area of focus and passion. At Azle ISD, she has been supporting teachers with push in speech therapy services and as a member of the district Autism team. She has developed strong relationships with teachers and therapist while providing speech therapy using a wide variety of strategies for communication and engagement. Collaboration on use of AAC in group settings has been a focused initiative that Candace has implemented and growth in this area has been a focus of her classroom interventions.

Shannon Archer

Shannon Archer: Empowering Voices through AAC and Speech Therapy Shannon Archer is a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 17 years of experience in both the school system and private practice. She is the founder and owner of A Gift of Speech, a private speech therapy practice offering comprehensive AAC consultation, training, and therapy services. In addition to her clinical work, Shannon creates therapy resource materials for TeachersPayTeachers and Boom Learning. Shannon holds Master's degrees in Family Studies and Communication Disorders. Before becoming an SLP, she worked in family support programs, bringing a holistic perspective to her practice. After completing her SLP requirements, she served in the public school system and established her private practice. As an AT/AAC specialist, Shannon recognizes that communication is a collaborative effort. She is passionate about empowering AAC teams to support children in finding their voices, helping caregivers and clinicians guide AAC users beyond basic requests to build robust language skills. Shannon developed the Talk Back Team with AAC, an online training course designed to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of AAC team members, ensuring effective support for AAC users. Shannon has presented at numerous conferences on Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Her expertise and enthusiasm for AAC have been showcased at CSHA, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, and various local district trainings. She was also personally requested to lead a specialized three-hour training on Childhood Apraxia of Speech for the California Speech-Hearing Association (CSHA).