PRESIDENT

Tenaya Watson received her Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Nevada State University and Adult Education and Training from University of Phoenix. Currently, she is completing her Master’s of Education in Educational Policy and Leadership for Program Administration. She is ASHA certified and licensed in Nevada serving as a practicum supervisor and school based Speech-Language Pathologist for Clark County School District. During nine years of experience, she has inspired collaboration between professionals and families to promote the practice of quality speech, language and hearing services. She is a member of NSHA to provide leadership on the issues that have an impact on our profession, encourage positive mentorship, and establish state liaisons.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

After receiving her Master’s Degree in speech pathology from the University of Northern Colorado, Katie Allen returned to get a PhD at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a focus on voice and swallowing disorders. She has served in many clinical settings, including hospitals, SNFs, home health and clinics. She has a strong penchant for research which has focused on swallowing, voice, and motor speech disorders, and her studies have included novel uses of biofeedback to improve outcomes, pharyngeal manometry, and the impact of high flow oxygenation systems on swallowing. Katie is the owner of Summit Voice and Swallowing, located in Northern Nevada. Recently, she has been working to expand equitable patient care and clinician reimbursement, including Medicaid coverage for endoscopy in Nevada. Katie is excited to join the NSHA board as the President-Elect!

CO-VICE PRESIDENT

Laura Simeone has been a Speech-Language Pathologist for 26 years. Originating from New York City, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University Of New York: New Paltz, and her master’s degree from Long Island University: C.W. Post Campus. Commencing her career in NYC, Laura moved to Las Vegas in 2003, amassing experience across a variety of settings including private practice, early intervention, special education preschools, hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Health, and educational institutions. Laura continued her pursuit of knowledge receiving her second master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Southern Utah University. Presently, she serves as the Coordinator of Speech and Language Therapy Services for the Clark County School District, demonstrating her leadership and dedication to the SLPs and students of CCSD. Laura finds fulfillment in quality moments with her husband and two children. Her interests include travelling, attending concerts, festivals, and exploring new culinary experiences.

CO-VICE PRESIDENT

Born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, Hollie graduated with her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University in 2007. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and state license to practice Speech Language Pathology in Missouri, Nevada, Illinois, and Alaska. In addition, she also holds educational licensure in Speech Language Pathology from the Board of Education in Nevada, Illinois, and Alaska. Hollie's husband is active duty in the United States Air Force. Their daughter attends high school in Las Vegas, NV at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. The Fleming family includes a Labrador Retriever. In her free time, Hollie enjoys spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, camping, hiking, food, yoga, and travel.

SECRETARY

Shannon was born and raised in Reno, NV, and she received both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has been working in private practice since graduating and started her practice, Bloom Therapy, in 2021. Shannon also works as a school-based contractor. With her experience in both schools and private practice, Shannon is passionate about supporting clinicians in each and every setting. She loves animals and enjoys concerts, camping, and hiking.

TREASURER

For Lindsey Hellmer, the need for speech therapy is strongly relatable. Once one of her sons was diagnosed with autism, and in need of speech-language therapy to improve his communication abilities, Lindsey aspired to become a speech pathologist herself. During the course of her studies at Nevada State University, she worked for Clark County School District as a special education teacher. Currently, she works at a post-acute rehabilitation hospital in Las Vegas. As treasurer, she hopes to utilize her interest in accounting and finance—her mother is actually a CPA—for budget management, fundraising and sponsorships, and to ensure our long-term financial sustainability. We are very lucky to have Lindsey aboard as our treasurer!

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, NEVADA STATE UNIVERSITY

Born and raised in Los Angeles, I moved to Nevada in late 2019 with my wife and twin boys. Growing up, I had a stutter that greatly interfered with many important social and developmental aspects of my life. It wasn’t until my 20s that I sought speech therapy at Cal State Northridge (where I obtained a BA in History), and it changed my life for the better. When my twin boys started struggling with a similar disfluency, and knowing just how debilitating it can be without treatment, I realized that I wanted to play a role in helping children, like my own, as well as adults, with speech disorders. Currently, I’m in the Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Preparatory Plan at Nevada State University, with a goal of becoming a graduate student in 2024. I’m very fortunate to be in a very welcoming and knowledgeable community of future-and-current SLPs and Audiologists in Nevada, and look forward to helping NSHA in my role as a student representative.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA-RENO

My name is Chloe Yocom and I use she/her pronouns. I am an undergraduate student at the University of Nevada-Reno, and planning on receiving my masters in Speech-Language pathology and Audiology. During my undergraduate career I have served as the president and fundraising chair for the National Student Speech-language hearing association. I have advocated with the Nevada speech hearing association on many topics and I hope to continue this with this team!