| The North Carolina Speech, Hearing and Language Association, inc. |
About Us
NCSHLA is at the forefront of issues affecting speech, language and audiology professionals in North Carolina and works hard to influence the governmental policy-setting and decision-making processes. It also works to provide its members with information, tools and education that improve their performance and overall job satisfaction. As an affiliate of both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), NCSHLA works to support North Carolina professionals with the assistance of these nationwide organizations through its activities and programs.The association is led by a group of committed audiology and speech-language professionals from across North Carolina elected by the membership. The board meets the second Thursday of each month throughout the year and at the association's Annual Convention. If you would like to attend one of the Board meetings, let us know by contacting info@ncshla.org.
Structure and Governance
OUR MISSION AND VISION
MISSION: Empower and support members through advocacy and education to improve the quality of and access to speech-language pathology and audiology services for all individuals.
VISION: NCSHLA will set the highest standards of ethical practice and quality of care for the individuals we serve
Board of Directors
Rachel received her Master’s Degree at UNC-Greensboro where she worked as a research assistant in a lab studying attention in Autistic Children. This sparked an interest in becoming a more neurodivergent-affirming clinician. Additional areas of interest include articulation/phonology and building communication skills with young students and their community members. Rachel currently works for Durham Public Schools and enjoys working with her diverse caseload. When she isn’t working, she enjoys reading, running, snuggling with her dog, and traveling. Rachel has participated in the Finance Committee for 4 years and is looking forward to serving the association and learning how to help fill the needs of the professional community. |
PAST PRESIDENTKellyn Hall, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Durham | Kellyn is a teacher, clinician, researcher, and author with over 30 years’ experience working in a variety of academic and medical settings. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at NC Central University, where she teaches the research courses and directs student capstone projects in addition to teaching courses in dysphagia, voice, and fluency. Her clinical and research interests are in healthy aging, culture considerations in dysphagia, and telepractice. She is also the ASHA State Advocate for Medicare Policy for North Carolina. |
 PRESIDENT ELECTLeigh Odom, PhD, CCC-SLP Clyde | Leigh is currently an Associate Professor in CSD teaching classes related to all things "neuro." Although she enjoys opportunities for clinical practice in aphasia and dementia, she is most passionate about health and wellness of our clients and families living with an acquired communication disorder for the long term. Understanding how families cope and adjust to their new lives is one aspect of her research, but this extends to speech-language pathologists who are facing challenges of burnout. She believes strongly that quality of life is important for all of us, and hopes through teaching, research, and service to others, we can experience the quality of life we deserve. |
Dr. Amy Myers graduated from Radford University with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorder, from James Madison University with a M.Ed in Audiology and from A.T. Still University with a clinical doctorate in Audiology. Dr. Myers specializes in diagnostic audiology, hearing aid fitting, dispensing and consultation as well as cochlear and middle ear implants. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as the American Academy of Audiology. Her previous research and work was with the FDA clinical trial for a totally implantable hearing device known as the Envoy Esteem which received FDA approval in 2010. |
VP OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRSJessica Kinard, PhD CCC-SLP Cary | Jessica Kinard is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and researcher with over 15 years of experience providing services for culturally and linguistically diverse families. She completed her undergraduate training at Appalachian State, followed by master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral training at UNC Chapel Hill in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Kinard's clinical and research work focuses on cultural and linguistic diversity in autism assessment and intervention. |
VP OF FINANCERebecca Eaton M.S. CCC-SLP Greensboro | Rebecca received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and graduate degree in Communication Disorders both from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She has worked as a Private Practice SLP for 14 years at the Cheshire Center where she has served children in a variety of settings and is currently serving as the Clinical Director. Her special interests include clinical supervision and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She resides in Greensboro with her husband and two children. |
VP OF CONTINUING EDUCATIONAlisha Richmond, PhD CCC-SLP, Charlotte | Alisha is a speech-language pathologist, educator, and researcher with over 20 years of experience providing services for the pediatric and geriatric population. She received her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill. She received her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from North Carolina Central University. She received her doctoral degree in Communication Disorders from Florida State University. Alisha currently serves as the Vice President of Clinical Education for NCSHLA. She is dedicated to promoting ethical practices and patient advocacy across all settings. |
VP OF MEMBERSHIPLeslie Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Durham | Leslie has been working in the Speech Language Pathology field for greater than a decade and has spent the majority of that time working with people with neurogenic difficulties related to communication and swallow disorders. She completed her doctoral work concentrating in Traumatic Brain Injury. Leslie very much enjoys working at UNC Hospitals and have spent much of her clinical career here. When she's not keeping up with three young boys or working in her garden, Leslie has the pleasure of teaching masters students studying to become SLPs at several area universities and also serves on the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina's Board of Directors. |
VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND UNIVERSITY AFFAIRSEmily Maher, M.S., CCC-SLP Davidson | Emily graduated from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York with a master’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders in 2006 and received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nazareth University in Rochester, New York in 2004. Emily works for Cabarrus County Schools and part time at LKN Speech Language Pathology in Davidson. She has also worked in Massachusetts for UP Education Network and has worked in private practice, home health, and nursing homes. |
Student Representatives
Ricki Speigner earned her undergraduate degree in Criminology with a minor in International Affairs from Florida State University, which she proudly considers the best school on Earth. She shifted her focus to Speech-Language Pathology, completing a post-baccalaureate certificate to prepare for graduate studies in the field. Currently, Ricki is pursuing her master’s degree at North Carolina Central University and is in her first year of the program. She has developed a strong interest in Cognition, Aphasia, and Dysphagia. Ricki was elected as the 2025 president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) for her university, along with earning a position as a Student Representative with NCSHLA. With a passion for advocacy, she is eager to represent and support students at NCCU and across North Carolina’s SLP field as a whole. Her goals include promoting accessible clinical opportunities, supporting the expansion of telepractice training, addressing workforce shortages in rural areas, and advocating for cultural and linguistic diversity within the profession. |
Ashley Cook is a third-year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where they are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, with a minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She is particularly interested in working with individuals affected by neurogenic communication disorders, such as those resulting from stroke (e.g., aphasia, dysarthria) and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Committed to advocacy, Ashley aims to support students by promoting equitable access to speech and hearing services, raising awareness about the impact of privilege on healthcare and education, and fostering inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. |
