About Our Speakers

Kelsey Aurand de Razo is a bilingual certified Speech-Language Pathologist licensed in the state of Missouri. She is a full-time instructor and clinical supervisor at the Truman State University Speech and Hearing Clinic in Kirksville, MO, and supports student clinicians in providing services to clients in the northeast Missouri region. Kelsey teaches both undergraduate and graduate level coursework that focuses on language and literacy development. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Literacy. As a wife of a Mexican immigrant and mother of 4 biethnic children, Kelsey is committed to pursuing cultural competence in both her profession and personal life.

Karen Avrit, M.Ed., CALT-QI received her B.S. in Education from the University of Texas at Tyler and her M.Ed. in Special Education and Teaching from Texas A&M University- Commerce. Karen is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Qualified Instructor and has had the honor of working at Scottish Rite for Children in the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders for 28 years. Karen is the current president of IMSLEC and past president of ALTA. She is the lead author of Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia, a research-based dyslexia intervention. She is also the lead author of Build: A K/1 Early Reading Intervention and Bridges: A Dyslexia Intervention Connecting Teacher, Avatar & Student. Karen’s passion is ensuring all children have access to dyslexia intervention by continuing to innovate and improve curriculum and train new dyslexia therapists.

Minnie Bray, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, is licensed in Missouri, and has been a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing Disorders since 2012. Minnie worked in a public school for one year before joining the therapy team at UCP of NW MO in 2003. She works closely with parents, teachers, and therapists from other disciplines to make therapy as effective as possible. Minnie provides speech-language and feeding therapy to children in Early Intervention, UCP’s preschool classrooms, and out-patient services. Minnie has a history of working with children with a variety of disabilities. She has conducted numerous presentations for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City addressing parents and professionals regarding speech and language development and therapy strategies specific to children with Down syndrome. She has guest lectured for dysphagia courses at the University of Central Missouri. She has also participated in a number of presentations in Northwest Missouri regarding speech-language development and strategies to support communication development. In her free time, Minnie enjoys time with her husband and three children on their farm. Her children keep her busy exploring the farm, playing youth sports, participating in Special Olympics, swimming, horseback riding, reading books, and playing games.

Barbara Lynna Bustamante M.S., CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech-language pathologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of children with receptive, expressive, and social-pragmatic language delays. Ms. Bustamante has interests in providing speech-language therapy services to children with neurodevelopmental delays and parent training to parents from Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Her research interests include vocabulary development in bilingual children with ASD,  decreasing barriers to parent support for ASD families, and increasing access to services for underserved populations.

Emily Ciesielski is an assistant professor at the University of Central Missouri. She received her PhD from the University of Cincinnati. Her research interests include reading comprehension, spelling, and written language in young children, especially those with executive function difficulties. She has over 20 years of experience as an ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She has worked as a clinician with pre- and elementary- school age children in public schools and in private practice, specializing in language disorders including phonology, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary.

Bob and his loving wife Stacy are the blessed and proud parents of seven beautiful children: Erika, Alicia, Ryan, Brandon, Quentin, Sabrina, and Abigail; and two grandchildren: Madalyn and Julian. All their sons are Past State Master Councilors of Missouri DeMolay, and Scottish Rite Freemasons. 

At the age of 15, Bob’s father gently, but firmly “encouraged” him to join The Order of DeMolay. On June 2, 1973, Bob and 109 other young men joined the Order of DeMolay in the majestic auditorium of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in St. Louis during the Scottish Rite Reunion. 

Bob has served in many leadership positions in DeMolay from Master Councilor to Chapter Advisor to Executive Officer in Missouri as well as Grand Master of DeMolay International. He is a Life Member of Gateway Lodge No. 40 and Overland-Occidental Lodge No. 623. He served as Worshipful Master twice, District Deputy Grand Master, and on various Grand Lodge Committees. He is a recipient of the Truman Medal. He has served in many other masonic bodies, including the Shrine, York Rite, and Eastern Star. 

Bob has served over 15 years as Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Missouri and is the Grand Chancellor of the Supreme Council, 33°, SJ, USA. He is co-producer and co-writer of several Masonic songs on the music CDs: “Building Freemasonry Through DeMolay” and “The Masonic Touch.” Proceeds from these music CDs benefit the RiteCare Childhood Language Program of the Scottish Rite. 

Bob founded The Cockerham Law firm. He has tried more than 150 civil trials and has over 100 appeals to his credit. He has authored and co-authored numerous articles and publications, a Treatise on Insurance Law, and has frequently lectured on various legal topics throughout the country. 

Bob and Stacy founded The Light Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the Glory of God to generate leadership and development opportunities for today’s youth. The Foundation supports Freemasonry and especially the Masonic Youth and the RiteCare programs in addition to other worthy like-minded, nonprofit, and youth centered entities. Through Bob, his family and friends millions of dollars have been raised for the benefit of Freemasonry and those it serves. Bob serves on the Board of Trustees of Maryville University. Bob and Stacy also serve on the Leadership Team at the Alive Church in St. Louis. 

Bob enjoys Bible Study, golfing, water and snow skiing, motorcycle riding, glamping, and inspirational vehicles. He is an avid photographer; guitar, sword, and coin collector; aspiring musician; and amateur magician. He loves praying, helping others, having fun and great times with his family and friends. 

Bob and his family look forward to and cherish their continuous service to God through their Faith and Freemasonry.

James D. Cole was installed as the nineteenth Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction, USA on August 19, 2019. 

A Mason since 1983, he served as Worshipful Master of Craighill Lodge No. 160, Elliston, Virginia, in 1987 and as Virginia’s Grand Master in 2001. Coroneted a 33º Inspector General Honorary on October 3, 2001, on January 1, 2003, he was appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council in Virginia; on October 7, 2003, he was crowned as an Active Member, later serving as Grand Treasurer General and Lieutenant Grand Commander. 

He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, a National Sojourner, a Shriner, a member of the York Rite College, a life member of the Royal Order of Scotland, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, a Past Puissant Sovereign of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, a Past Sovereign Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees. He holds 9th Grade membership in the Masonic Societas Rosicruciana and remains active in the Grand Lodge of Virginia, serving as Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of England and as a member of the Code Commission. 

His honors include: honorary membership in eleven lodges; the Legion of Honor from DeMolay International and honorary membership on the International Supreme Council; the Grand Cross of Color from the Rainbow for Girls; the Pierpont Edwards Medal from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for outstanding Masonic Service; the Grand Lodge of Virginia’s highest award, the George Washington Distinguished Service Medal; commission as an honorary Kentucky Colonel; the Odie R. Howell Leadership Award from the Virginia DeMolay Foundation; the Albert Mackey Medal from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina; and Honorary membership in the Conference of Grand Secretaries of North America. 

Born in Asheville North Carolina in 1958, he moved to Virginia in 1969, where he and his wife Mary Ann reside; they have two children and five grandchildren. Formerly employed as CEO of the Masonic Home of Virginia, Brother Cole is a CPA whose previous professional experience includes practice with an international accounting firm and almost twenty years in a variety of positions at Virginia Tech, a large public university. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from Virginia Tech. Both an author and consultant, he has served numerous companies, universities, and non-profit organizations, including Masonic groups, throughout the country and has been a frequent speaker at business conferences. 

Brother Cole has been active in community and church service, including more than twenty-five years teaching an Adult Bible Class and serving as an active lay speaker since age fifteen. He has been a high school basketball referee, a baseball umpire, a youth basketball and baseball coach, and a high school football announcer. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his grandchildren, reading, and golf.

Emily Diehm is an assistant professor in the Master of Speech-Language Pathology at St. Ambrose University. She has over 12 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist. Her clinical, teaching, and research interests are related to the interconnections between oral and written language, including how to appropriately assess and provide intervention for students’ areas of need, especially in populations of students with language disorders, complex communication needs, or who speak non-mainstream varieties of English. She completed her M.S. and Ph.D. training in Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University.

Dr. Sheryl Frierson is a pediatrician with advanced subspecialty training in developmental medicine. She has trained, practiced, and done brain imaging research at Johns Hopkins Hospital/Kennedy Krieger Institute and Vanderbilt University. She has over 20 years of experience specifically caring for children with developmental learning disorders and related conditions. She came to Scottish Rite for Children in July 2019 as the third medical director of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders.

Meaghan Goodman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is the Program Director and an assistant professor in the Department of Speech Language Pathology at Maryville University. She teaches courses related to assessment and differential diagnosis, pediatric dysphagia, language development and disorders of children, augmentative and alternative communication, voice and fluency disorders, special populations in speech language pathology including: cleft lip/palate and craniofacial disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and chromosomal syndromes, as well as professional issues and evidence-based practice. Meaghan is also responsible for overseeing clinical supervision of graduate students at Maryville University’s Speech Language Pathology Clinic. In this clinic, Meaghan supervises the Language & Literacy (L2) Group. This group is a Response to Intervention group for children considered “at-risk” for later reading disorders. Meaghan received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, and her master’s and doctorate degrees in speech-language pathology from the University of Kansas (KU). In her time at KU, she had the opportunity to work on multiple literacy NIH funded grants under the supervision of Hugh Catts, Ph.D. and Mindy Bridges, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Prior to joining the faculty at Maryville University, Meaghan worked as a school-based speech language pathologist, serving early childhood through high school settings.

Carin Illig has been the Clinical Director of the Children’s Dyslexia Centers since July 2009 and has over twenty years of experience teaching children/adults with dyslexia and training adults. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, master’s degree in Elementary Education, and graduate certificate in Special Education. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree. Carin is certified by the Children’s Dyslexia Centers at the initial, advanced, therapy, and supervisor levels and is certified as an instructor for all levels. She is certified by ALTA at the Instructor of Practitioners, Therapy, and Instructor of Therapy levels and by IDA as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist. Carin serves on the IMSLEC Executive Board, IMSLEC Board of Directors, and IMSLEC Council. She has served on the ALTA Board of Directors and the Wisconsin IDA Branch Board.

Sue Jones received her B.S. Degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Purdue University and M.A. Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee. She worked for four years as a speech-language pathologist at the secondary level in the public school setting. Sue has been working at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders for over 30 years. Throughout the years, she has presented on the topics of oral language, language and learning, phonological awareness, promoting reading development, and identification of dyslexia in the young child.

Jaime Kennington, MMT, MT-BC received her BA in Communication from University of Missouri Columbia, MO in 2002 and her Masters of Music Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 2017. Board certified in Music Therapy since 2017, and current co-owner, lead music therapist and Director Clinical Services & Supervision of Music Therapy St. Louis, a private music therapy practice. Jaime has diverse experience working with non-profit organizations serving children, individuals of varying abilities, neurological/rehabilitation and children facing cancer and blood disorders (fellow team music therapist/research analyst for Maryville University’s Kids Rock Cancer since 2017).

Paul Laikko is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the department of speech-language pathology at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. Paul works within the RiteCare Clinic at MMI’s main location near UNO’s Scott Campus. Paul specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing and severe speech sound disorders. Prior to joining Munroe-Meyer Institute, Paul practiced in a variety of settings including; University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Visiting Nurse Service – Madison WI, Epton Developmental Preschool – Pullman, WA; and, in private practice. For the last 30 years he has provided pediatric speech and language evaluations and direct therapy.

Kimberly Murphy is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and Special Education at Old Dominion University. She is also an experienced speech-language pathologist with clinical and research interests in child language and literacy. In particular, her research focuses on the connections between language and literacy and the literacy difficulties of children with language disorders. She received her PhD in Education (Reading and Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood) from the Ohio State University and her MSc in Speech-Language Pathology from McGill University.

Divya Rawat is an international graduate student at Truman State University. She completed her undergraduate degree in India and is a licensed Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist there. She is currently attending Truman State University and upon graduation with her Masters degree, hopes to pursue her Ph.D. She looks forward to serving the community as an “SLP of color.”

Tommie L. Robinson, Jr. PhD, CCC-SLP is chief of the division of Hearing and Speech and director of the Scottish Rite Center for Communication Disorders at Children’s National Hospital.  He is also professor of Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Robinson and been active in professional organizations and has assumed leadership positions.  He has published and conducted research in a variety of areas.

Tracie Sandheinrich, MA, PLPC, MT-BC received her BS in Music Therapy from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO in 2008 and her MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University in Belleville, IL in 2018. Board certified in Music Therapy since 2008 and co-owner, lead music therapist and Director of Clinical Services/Development of Music Therapy St. Louis, a private music therapy practice. Tracie has experience working with children facing cancer and blood disorders (Maryville University’s Kids Rock Cancer since 2009), neurological rehabilitation, geriatrics, palliative/hospice care, mental health, and grief/loss. Tracie is currently completing her counseling supervision hours for professional licensure.

Ebonee began her career in non-profit development and event management 19 years
ago in New Orleans, LA. Her wealth of experience encompasses planning of detailed large scale events for thousands to meetings for a few. She received a B.S. in Finance from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master’s in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in Social Impact Management
from Walden University. After completing an internship with Ford Motor Company organizing their participation as a major sponsor in Race
for the Cure in the Northwest U.S. & working with the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets on their inaugural seasons in New Orleans she realized that events were her passion! 

Ebonee is the Director of Special Programs and Event Strategy for Kids Rock Cancer, the Walker Scottish Rite Clinic, and the Black Alumni Network at Maryville University. Kids Rock Cancer offers music therapy to children diagnosed with pediatric forms of cancer or blood disorders. The Clinic offers free speech therapy to children ages 2 to 6 years old. She was previously with the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery for 9 years in Development – interacting with the community, planning events and developing relationships. In her years in development she has raised over $14 Million for the St. Louis and New Orleans communities.

Ebonee is a native of St. Louis, MO. She has one son, Timothy, a 12th grader at Whitfield School.

Korey Stading is a Speech-Language Pathologist in the department of speech-language pathology at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. Korey has provided speech and language evaluation and therapy services in the RiteCare Clinic for 25 years. She specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) severe speech sound disorders. She works with families to identify the best communication system for their child and assists with funding it through their insurance company. She facilitates a preschool program for children with speech and language delays that utilizes AAC strategies. She contracts with Omaha public schools to provide assistive technology services across the district and at JP Lord school. She is involved in research, which primarily focuses on children with Down syndrome.

Bridget Steele has worked for the Scottish Rite, NMJ for 15 years in a variety of roles and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Charities. Before joining the Scottish Rite, she worked as a journalist for a weekly newspaper in Michigan. Bridget lives in Billerica, MA with her husband Evan and her daughters Colleen and Bailey.

Kim Stewart is a Senior Instructor and has been employed at the University of Central Missouri in the Communications Disorders Program since August 2010. Mrs. Stewart has 26 years experience working as a speech-language pathologist in the public school setting, She previously was an adjunct clinical instructor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a social skills instructor at Autism Works in Liberty, and has worked as an SLP in Proin hospital rehabilitation, assisted living residence, At UCM, Mrs. Stewart serves as the Coordinator of the RiteCare Early Language and Literacy Lab, the Offsite Clinical Practicum Coordinator, and the Advisor of the UCM National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. Mrs. Stewart’s professional areas of interest are language and literacy (dyslexia), autism spectrum disorders, and motor speech disorders. Professionally-related Service Activities: Missouri-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA) Vice President of Legislative Affairs since 2021 (previously 2014-2015), member of the MSHA Convention Planning Team (2008-2019). She has served on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association State Education Advocacy Leaders (ASHA SEALs) (2019-2021).

Matt Szramoski has worked in senior positions at non-profit organizations for over 27 years. He has served on the board for more than a dozen non-profits, In addition to his background working at the foundation level, he has experience in education and business settings. He is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, a Scottish Rite Mason and currently serves as the Grand Senior Deacon for the Grand Lodge of Virginia. One of his major goals at the Supreme Council has been to create a culture of giving among Scottish Rite Masons.

Dr. Anne Marie Tharpe is Professor and Chair, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville Tennessee. The primary research emphasis in her laboratory has been in furthering our understanding of the developmental impact of hearing loss on young children, including children with minimal bilateral or unilateral loss. This work has examined questions of behavioral indices of attention, environmental exploration, and academic outcomes. More recently, work has focused on the impact of hearing technology interventions on caregiver and child behavior in children with hearing loss and children with autism. Dr. Tharpe has published extensively in national and international professional journals, has published numerous books and book chapters, and has presented to over 300 audiences around the world on pediatric audiology issues. She is co-editor with Dr. Richard Seewald of The Comprehensive Handbook of Pediatric Audiology, 2nd edition, which was published in 2016.

Elected as Grand Master for the 2021-2022 Masonic Year, Dr. Ty G. Treutelaar was appointed to the advancing line of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, by MWB Jon B. Broyles (PGM 2013-2014). Ty is a native of Wisconsin from a family of Masonic tradition and has lived in Missouri since 1982. A resident of University City, Ty and his wife Cecily were married in 1984 and they have two adult sons, Max and Adam. Ty retired from practice and spent over 20 years in the oil industry serving most of that time on the advisory board of directors and as the chairman for various committees of a major oil company. He now uses his health care background and his extensive regulatory experience to consult with physicians and attorneys as to medical regulations and regulatory defense. History, travel, and writing are favorite topics for Ty, and he is a regular contributor to the Missouri Freemason Magazine. You might also find Ty involved in charity and fundraising for various organizations and assisting the local school district with a project or two. (Editor’s Note: to settle an ongoing question, this is the best way to attempt to say his last name: “TroitLar”) 

Raised in 1984 and a Past Master of Saint Louis Missouri Lodge #1, Ty has been active in the long range planning and strategic direction of the lodge, including the inclusion of the Past Masters and newly made Master Masons within the structure of their organization. The officers of the lodge are combined in a vision of the strategic plan to allow for continued growth and harmony. 

The discovery and research of Masonic Relics is of particular interest to Ty, and he is an active member of the Lodge of Research. He has served on the Mileage and per Diem Committee and Masonic Education Committee, and some ad hoc committees for special projects. He is particularly proud of the results and efforts of so many people in the application and use of the bar-codes on our dues cards, and for the posting of educational materials on the Grand Lodge website that the lodges can use during their meeting. 

Ty serves on the Building Preservation Board for the Valley of St. Louis Scottish Rite, is a 32nd Degree Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and Officer of the St. Louis Valley Consistory of Masters of the Royal Secret, and assists the breakfast committee that plans the annual Saint Louis area Grand Master’s Consecration Breakfast. 

Ty can be found traveling to attend meetings of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, the Order of Knight Masons, the Royal Order of Scotland, and the Red Cross of Constantine. He is an honorary member of both the DeMolay Legion of Honor and the DeMolay Supreme Council, as well as Honorary Dean of the St. Louis Preceptory DeMolay Legion of Honor; and was unanimously elected as the 2022 Chairman of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. 

The perspective gained from all these experiences contribute to what might best describe Ty G. Treutelaar, that he is a Missouri Master Mason.

Jocelyn Wallace is an employee of Scottish Rite, NMJ focused on fundraising for Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc. She has developed winning grant proposals to a host of private and public foundations, corporations, and government agencies, including the Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Christine Weill is the Clinic Director for the UL Lafayette Speech, Language, and Hearing Center where she balances clinical instruction, course instruction, and research with her administrative responsibilities. Her primary clinical and research interests include language and literacy development and disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and the use of social communication to drive language development. As part of her research contributions, she coordinates the Summer Language and Literacy Project at UL Lafayette and is a national and international presenter with numerous publications in the areas of literacy development and conversation.

Lori Wendt, M.Ed., is the dyslexia marketing and outreach associate for Scottish Rite for Children’s Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders in Dallas, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science Education from Stephen F. Austin University and a master’s in early childhood education from the University of North Texas. Her work in education and dyslexia intervention began early in her career while teaching first grade, becoming team lead, at Lewisville ISD for more than eight years. Lori then made the jump from teaching hundreds of children face-to-face in a classic school setting to helping countless children learn to read when they tuned into Barney & Friends, one of PBS Television’s top-rated programs. She also worked cooperatively with PBS to provide outreach for Ready to Learn and Head Start programs. Her work included leading focus groups for many other popular shows from Thomas the Tank Engine to Bob the Builder. She was also integral in helping PBS acquire The Wiggles and Peppa Pig. In 2012, Lori transitioned back to the classroom to become team lead for the first grade teachers at Allen ISD where she worked on the district’s Literacy Cadre and was responsible for writing curriculum for Language Arts. In September 2021, Lori joined Scottish Rite for Children’s Dyslexia Education team working on various intervention projects, such as Bridges: A Dyslexia Intervention Connecting Teacher, Avatar and Student and Build – A K-1 Early Reading Intervention.

Jenna Zanger, a Quincy, Illinois native, received her Bachelors of Science degree from Missouri State University. She is currently a full-time graduate student at Truman State University where she is continuing her education and providing services to clients in the northeast Missouri region as a student clinician. Jenna is passionate about providing culturally competent and evidence-based therapy to her present and future clients.

Anne Zappi Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-F is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her interests include stuttering, counseling, self-advocacy strategies, speech sound disorders, ASD, language and literacy development, and interprofessional collaboration. After working as a clinician in private practice, private schools, home health, and medical settings in Texas and Louisiana she currently works as a clinical supervisor in the Department of Communicative Disorders at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has presented at ASHA, LSHA, Southeastern University Clinical Educators, and National Stuttering Association conferences. She is also a co-leader of the National Stuttering Association Family Chapter in Lafayette, LA, where she lives with her husband, four sons, and a cat.