top of page
Cris Blak
IDEA COMMITTEE CHAIR
(he/him)
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Committee Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
(he/him)
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Committee Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
Laura Bozzone
BOARD SECRETARY
(she/her)
Laura is an arts administrator, educator and advocate with a passion for creating inclusive spaces in which individuals can explore and express their unique stories and selves. Laura is the Director of Education at Marquis Studios, an arts education non-profit that partners with under-resourced schools in NYC to provide students with access to high quality art programming.
As a teaching artist for over 11 years, Laura has spearheaded theater education programming in a wide variety of communities around the country with organizations such as Stuttering Association for the Young (S.A.Y.), George Street Playhouse, Stages on the Sound, Child’s Play NY, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She holds a B.F.A in Theater Arts from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Educational Theater from City College of New York. Laura lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their rescue dog Lionel. She is thrilled to be part of the SPACE community!
(she/her)
Laura is an arts administrator, educator and advocate with a passion for creating inclusive spaces in which individuals can explore and express their unique stories and selves. Laura is the Director of Education at Marquis Studios, an arts education non-profit that partners with under-resourced schools in NYC to provide students with access to high quality art programming.
As a teaching artist for over 11 years, Laura has spearheaded theater education programming in a wide variety of communities around the country with organizations such as Stuttering Association for the Young (S.A.Y.), George Street Playhouse, Stages on the Sound, Child’s Play NY, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She holds a B.F.A in Theater Arts from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Educational Theater from City College of New York. Laura lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their rescue dog Lionel. She is thrilled to be part of the SPACE community!
Susanne Hart
(she/her)
Reigning from Springfield, MA, Susanne is a person who stutters, a coffee enthusiast, a lover of storytelling, and a very serious listener of music (note over 53,000 minutes reported in her Spotify Wrapped!) With a degree in Digital Media from Messiah University, Susanne wears many different hats in the arts–while she can most often be found writing and illustrating, she also works in video production and graphic design. She has had the pleasure of working as a Teaching Artist for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young since 2017, both at summer camp and through Confident Voices, and has also gotten to work with them doing graphic design work, designing book interiors for their graduating seniors, and creating programs and other print outs for live events! She can also be found traveling through New England for various film jobs, assisting on sets for local non-profits.
Outside of creating, she is a big fan of cloudy days, crunching leaves, all things Halloween, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.
Reigning from Springfield, MA, Susanne is a person who stutters, a coffee enthusiast, a lover of storytelling, and a very serious listener of music (note over 53,000 minutes reported in her Spotify Wrapped!) With a degree in Digital Media from Messiah University, Susanne wears many different hats in the arts–while she can most often be found writing and illustrating, she also works in video production and graphic design. She has had the pleasure of working as a Teaching Artist for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young since 2017, both at summer camp and through Confident Voices, and has also gotten to work with them doing graphic design work, designing book interiors for their graduating seniors, and creating programs and other print outs for live events! She can also be found traveling through New England for various film jobs, assisting on sets for local non-profits.
Outside of creating, she is a big fan of cloudy days, crunching leaves, all things Halloween, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.
Ezra Horak
BOARD CO-CHAIR (they/them)
Ezra is a stutterer and the founder of Stutterology, a digital content platform that educates about stuttering through a neurodiverse and trauma-informed lens and empowers people with speech differences. Their work is used to educate speech therapists, loved ones of people who stutter, and fellow stutterers about the systemic issues faced and how to promote true inclusivity.
Additionally, they have volunteered with various stuttering organizations via public speaking, leading workshops, consultation, and other leadership, since 2015, and they are an HR Professional from the west coast.
Ezra is a stutterer and the founder of Stutterology, a digital content platform that educates about stuttering through a neurodiverse and trauma-informed lens and empowers people with speech differences. Their work is used to educate speech therapists, loved ones of people who stutter, and fellow stutterers about the systemic issues faced and how to promote true inclusivity.
Additionally, they have volunteered with various stuttering organizations via public speaking, leading workshops, consultation, and other leadership, since 2015, and they are an HR Professional from the west coast.
Meara Khana
YOUNG ADULT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
(she/her)
Meara is an emerging artist working in television and a person who stutters. She’s on the SPACE Board of Directors and represents the Young Adult Advisory Committee! Born and raised in Ontario Canada, storytelling has always been a beacon for Meara. She sought to either write her own stories, draw her own comic books (embarrassingly!) , and as an actor. She now seeks to tell her own stories, represent her experiences with stuttering through writing, and seeks to help strengthen the community of PWS and allies.
During her time off, you can find Meara watching copious amounts of reality TV, wobbling on her bike, and drinking too much coffee.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
(she/her)
Meara is an emerging artist working in television and a person who stutters. She’s on the SPACE Board of Directors and represents the Young Adult Advisory Committee! Born and raised in Ontario Canada, storytelling has always been a beacon for Meara. She sought to either write her own stories, draw her own comic books (embarrassingly!) , and as an actor. She now seeks to tell her own stories, represent her experiences with stuttering through writing, and seeks to help strengthen the community of PWS and allies.
During her time off, you can find Meara watching copious amounts of reality TV, wobbling on her bike, and drinking too much coffee.
Brooke Sarden
BOARD CO-CHAIR
(she/her)
Brooke is a nonprofit director and cultural strategist with concurrent careers in social justice and community-engaging artistic practices. She has over 30 years experience facilitating public dialogues that center Black lives. For over a decade, she has managed organizational budgets between $287K - $2.5M and has authored successful grants exceeding $5M over the past decade. Brooke is experienced in strategic planning and staff development, bringing creative vision, innovation and efficient operations to each team. She is a mission-driven community builder, poet, painter, theatre director, teaching artist and creator of beautiful things.
(she/her)
Brooke is a nonprofit director and cultural strategist with concurrent careers in social justice and community-engaging artistic practices. She has over 30 years experience facilitating public dialogues that center Black lives. For over a decade, she has managed organizational budgets between $287K - $2.5M and has authored successful grants exceeding $5M over the past decade. Brooke is experienced in strategic planning and staff development, bringing creative vision, innovation and efficient operations to each team. She is a mission-driven community builder, poet, painter, theatre director, teaching artist and creator of beautiful things.
Christopher
Schuyler
(he/him)
Christopher Schuyler is a proud person who stutters. He believes that while being a person who stutters is challenging, stuttering is also a powerful communication tool that can be used to better achieve meaningful connection with other people. He dreams that one day stuttering will be viewed as nothing more than a valuable speech difference.
Christopher has volunteered with various organizations serving people who stutter, including the National Stuttering Association, the Stuttering Association for the Young, and Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. He also participated in organizing several NYC Stutters conferences. Lastly, he has published articles on stuttering and spoken to organizations about hiring and working with people who stutter.
Christopher is a disability rights attorney. His work focuses on improving access to public services, including transportation, medical care, and education, for people with disabilities. He has also served as an adjunct professor teaching legal writing to law students.
In his free time, Christopher enjoys playing with his two sons, watching movies with his wife, and jogging in the park.
Christopher Schuyler is a proud person who stutters. He believes that while being a person who stutters is challenging, stuttering is also a powerful communication tool that can be used to better achieve meaningful connection with other people. He dreams that one day stuttering will be viewed as nothing more than a valuable speech difference.
Christopher has volunteered with various organizations serving people who stutter, including the National Stuttering Association, the Stuttering Association for the Young, and Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. He also participated in organizing several NYC Stutters conferences. Lastly, he has published articles on stuttering and spoken to organizations about hiring and working with people who stutter.
Christopher is a disability rights attorney. His work focuses on improving access to public services, including transportation, medical care, and education, for people with disabilities. He has also served as an adjunct professor teaching legal writing to law students.
In his free time, Christopher enjoys playing with his two sons, watching movies with his wife, and jogging in the park.
Board of Directors
We are a team of experienced, diverse and committed volunteers, devoted to creating a more inclusive and accessible world for people who stutter.
Advisory Board
Jia Bin
(she/her)
Jia M.A., is a doctoral student and research assistant at Michigan State University in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Jia is honored to join SPACE and serve as a member of the SPACE Advisory board. With a background in English Language and Literature from China and two master's degrees from the U.S. in Secondary Education and Communicative Sciences and Disorders, she combines her academic pursuits with a deep commitment to the stuttering community. She serves as board member for the World Stuttering Network and 50 Million Voices, chapter leader in the National Stuttering Association, and president of the Spartan Stuttering group.
Jia's drive is rooted in her personal journey as a person who stutters.Her aim is to foster resilience and provide a platform for those with similar challenges, advocating for empowerment, support, and community building. Her work focuses on challenging stereotypes and nurturing a dialogue that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, ultimately uniting people who stutter worldwide through shared experience and mutual support.
Jia M.A., is a doctoral student and research assistant at Michigan State University in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Jia is honored to join SPACE and serve as a member of the SPACE Advisory board. With a background in English Language and Literature from China and two master's degrees from the U.S. in Secondary Education and Communicative Sciences and Disorders, she combines her academic pursuits with a deep commitment to the stuttering community. She serves as board member for the World Stuttering Network and 50 Million Voices, chapter leader in the National Stuttering Association, and president of the Spartan Stuttering group.
Jia's drive is rooted in her personal journey as a person who stutters.Her aim is to foster resilience and provide a platform for those with similar challenges, advocating for empowerment, support, and community building. Her work focuses on challenging stereotypes and nurturing a dialogue that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, ultimately uniting people who stutter worldwide through shared experience and mutual support.
JJJJJerome Ellis
(any pronoun)
JJJJJerome is a person who stutters and a composer. He is so thankful to be a member of the SPACE Advisory Board. He lives in Tidewater, Virginia with his wife, ecologist-poet Luísa Black Ellis. They love walking in the woods, reading, and drinking tea together. He dreams of building a sonic bath house!
Photo by Annie Forrest
JJJJJerome is a person who stutters and a composer. He is so thankful to be a member of the SPACE Advisory Board. He lives in Tidewater, Virginia with his wife, ecologist-poet Luísa Black Ellis. They love walking in the woods, reading, and drinking tea together. He dreams of building a sonic bath house!
Photo by Annie Forrest
Yazan Fattaleh
(he/him)
Yazan has been lucky to build a career supporting youth as they pursue higher education around the world. His personal immigrant story and experiences working with refugees in the USA and abroad inform his work supporting college students internationally.
He is a person who stutters and enjoys spending his free time connecting with members of the stuttering community sharing in the power of our unique gifts. His gift of a stutter has helped Yazan empathize with others who face differences and challenging situations of their own, a skill he draws on every day. He appreciates the way that stuttering informed empathy connects him to the power in his voice, provides him with growth opportunities, and brings a sense of presence to every conversation.
He has a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder and certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation from Makerere University in Kampala and Joining Vision and Action in Denver, CO.
In his free time, Yazan likes to rock climb, salsa dance, and eat hummus — but not all at the same time.
Yazan has been lucky to build a career supporting youth as they pursue higher education around the world. His personal immigrant story and experiences working with refugees in the USA and abroad inform his work supporting college students internationally.
He is a person who stutters and enjoys spending his free time connecting with members of the stuttering community sharing in the power of our unique gifts. His gift of a stutter has helped Yazan empathize with others who face differences and challenging situations of their own, a skill he draws on every day. He appreciates the way that stuttering informed empathy connects him to the power in his voice, provides him with growth opportunities, and brings a sense of presence to every conversation.
He has a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder and certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation from Makerere University in Kampala and Joining Vision and Action in Denver, CO.
In his free time, Yazan likes to rock climb, salsa dance, and eat hummus — but not all at the same time.
Jack Henderson
(he/him)
Jack Henderson, MS, CCC-SLP (He/ His) is a person who stutters and is the owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy PLLC. Jack graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Studies and Theatre. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During his undergraduate and graduate studies he worked on the Developmental Stuttering Project as a research assistant. In 2011, Jack co-founded Camp TALKS (Talking and Learning with Kids who Stutter) and ran the camp through 2023. He worked for two years in Robertson County (TN) schools, serving an elementary school and high school. He then worked for over 8 years at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. While at Vanderbilt, he worked primarily, though not exclusively, with people who stutter across the lifespan in the clinic. He has consulted with school-based SLPs in Nashville and many surrounding counties, led trainings on stuttering assessment and intervention locally and at ASHA Connect, appeared on the StutterTalk podcast and the Stuttering Foundation Podcast, contributed a column to the ASHA leader, had posters accepted to the Oxford Dysfluency Conference, generated informational handouts about stuttering, and spoken on local news about stuttering awareness. He has participated in intensive trainings on Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). Jack is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Jack is an adjunct faculty at Austin Peay State University, teaching the graduate-level fluency course. Jack holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA and is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. Jack is a designated Ally of Stuttering™ through Spero Stuttering, INC. Jack resides in Nashville, TN with his spouse and two children. He enjoys cooking, outdoor activities with his family, listening to records, and watching sports, especially baseball, soccer, and cricket.
Jack Henderson, MS, CCC-SLP (He/ His) is a person who stutters and is the owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy PLLC. Jack graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Studies and Theatre. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During his undergraduate and graduate studies he worked on the Developmental Stuttering Project as a research assistant. In 2011, Jack co-founded Camp TALKS (Talking and Learning with Kids who Stutter) and ran the camp through 2023. He worked for two years in Robertson County (TN) schools, serving an elementary school and high school. He then worked for over 8 years at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. While at Vanderbilt, he worked primarily, though not exclusively, with people who stutter across the lifespan in the clinic. He has consulted with school-based SLPs in Nashville and many surrounding counties, led trainings on stuttering assessment and intervention locally and at ASHA Connect, appeared on the StutterTalk podcast and the Stuttering Foundation Podcast, contributed a column to the ASHA leader, had posters accepted to the Oxford Dysfluency Conference, generated informational handouts about stuttering, and spoken on local news about stuttering awareness. He has participated in intensive trainings on Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). Jack is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Jack is an adjunct faculty at Austin Peay State University, teaching the graduate-level fluency course. Jack holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA and is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. Jack is a designated Ally of Stuttering™ through Spero Stuttering, INC. Jack resides in Nashville, TN with his spouse and two children. He enjoys cooking, outdoor activities with his family, listening to records, and watching sports, especially baseball, soccer, and cricket.
Julia Leone
CREATIVE AND MARKETING STRATEGIST
(she/her)
Julia is a member of the Advisory Board and the Creative and Marketing Strategist for SPACE. With seven years of experience serving the stuttering community, she is a seasoned advocate and a creative thinker.
Julia is skilled in bringing people together and is committed to the principle that genuine communication and listening are the keys to community support. Her goal at SPACE is to help the organization creatively and consistently connect with folks who stutter.
When she is not working, Julia enjoys cooking, gossiping on the phone with her grandmother, and writing fantasy short stories. Through SPACE, she hopes to connect with the stuttering community and encourage joy, connection, and expression.
(she/her)
Julia is a member of the Advisory Board and the Creative and Marketing Strategist for SPACE. With seven years of experience serving the stuttering community, she is a seasoned advocate and a creative thinker.
Julia is skilled in bringing people together and is committed to the principle that genuine communication and listening are the keys to community support. Her goal at SPACE is to help the organization creatively and consistently connect with folks who stutter.
When she is not working, Julia enjoys cooking, gossiping on the phone with her grandmother, and writing fantasy short stories. Through SPACE, she hopes to connect with the stuttering community and encourage joy, connection, and expression.
Allegra Ludwig
(she/her)
Allegra received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Duke University and holds a Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from UC - Boulder. She is an Ally of Stuttering™ and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in stuttering therapy. Allegra holds professional licenses in the states of Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, and Texas. Her telepractice, Cadence Speech Therapy, is based in Boulder, CO.
Allegra is passionate about supporting people who stutter, not just as a speech therapist but also as someone who hopes to empower and uplift stuttering voices. Her blog, Cadence Speech, celebrates the lived experience of stuttering with stories and profiles of individuals who stutter. In her speech therapy practice, she embraces a holistic, client-centered therapy approach that promotes confidence, joy, and ease in speaking.
Outside of speech therapy, you can find Allegra performing on stages throughout Colorado as an actor and musician. She is a fiddle player and vocalist for the Irish band Banthom House and also performs classical violin with the chamber music group Front Range Strings. Allegra is also a mom to two teenage daughters and loves being outdoors with her family, including hiking, biking, camping, and traveling.
Allegra feels that she has gained more from the stuttering community than she could ever hope to contribute in return, and she is profoundly grateful to be part of the brilliant team at SPACE!
Allegra received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Duke University and holds a Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from UC - Boulder. She is an Ally of Stuttering™ and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in stuttering therapy. Allegra holds professional licenses in the states of Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, and Texas. Her telepractice, Cadence Speech Therapy, is based in Boulder, CO.
Allegra is passionate about supporting people who stutter, not just as a speech therapist but also as someone who hopes to empower and uplift stuttering voices. Her blog, Cadence Speech, celebrates the lived experience of stuttering with stories and profiles of individuals who stutter. In her speech therapy practice, she embraces a holistic, client-centered therapy approach that promotes confidence, joy, and ease in speaking.
Outside of speech therapy, you can find Allegra performing on stages throughout Colorado as an actor and musician. She is a fiddle player and vocalist for the Irish band Banthom House and also performs classical violin with the chamber music group Front Range Strings. Allegra is also a mom to two teenage daughters and loves being outdoors with her family, including hiking, biking, camping, and traveling.
Allegra feels that she has gained more from the stuttering community than she could ever hope to contribute in return, and she is profoundly grateful to be part of the brilliant team at SPACE!
Executive Director
Aidan Sank
CO-FOUNDER
(he/him)
Aidan is the Executive Director and co-Founder of SPACE. As an enthusiastic ally of the stuttering community for over a decade, Aidan is particularly passionate about the intersections between stuttering and the arts. After working professionally as an actor and arts educator for many years in NYC, he found his true purpose through his time at SAY: The Stuttering Association for The Young. There he served as Artistic Director of Confident Voices, working with hundreds of extraordinary young people who stutter, and many exceptional artist educators.
Interacting with the stuttering community has permanently shaped the way that Aidan sees the world. He will be forever grateful for the lessons in vulnerability, communication and listening that he has learned from so many exceptional people who stutter - many of whom he has had the pleasure of collaborating with to develop SPACE. This is truly his dream job.
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Aidan is a lover of plants, birds and the Pacific Ocean. He can often be found grinning in the rain or marveling at the way a hummingbird sticks out its tongue. He loves spending time reading, hanging out with his family and learning new things about stuttering.
(he/him)
Aidan is the Executive Director and co-Founder of SPACE. As an enthusiastic ally of the stuttering community for over a decade, Aidan is particularly passionate about the intersections between stuttering and the arts. After working professionally as an actor and arts educator for many years in NYC, he found his true purpose through his time at SAY: The Stuttering Association for The Young. There he served as Artistic Director of Confident Voices, working with hundreds of extraordinary young people who stutter, and many exceptional artist educators.
Interacting with the stuttering community has permanently shaped the way that Aidan sees the world. He will be forever grateful for the lessons in vulnerability, communication and listening that he has learned from so many exceptional people who stutter - many of whom he has had the pleasure of collaborating with to develop SPACE. This is truly his dream job.
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Aidan is a lover of plants, birds and the Pacific Ocean. He can often be found grinning in the rain or marveling at the way a hummingbird sticks out its tongue. He loves spending time reading, hanging out with his family and learning new things about stuttering.