Conference Planning Committee

Danielle Osmelak EdD, MS, CCC-SLP/L, FNAP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Governors State University. Her research interests include interprofessional dysphagia management and ethical clinical decision-making. Professionally, Danielle is a Fellow of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a Distinguished Fellow in the Speech-Language Pathology Academy of the National Academies of Practice. Danielle is the President of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She was named the 2023 Illinois Innovator of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her novel approaches to embedding ethical critical thinking exercises within her clinically focused courses. She regularly speaks nationally within the area of professional ethics. Danielle is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Board of Ethics and the current Chair of the Board of Ethics.

Hannah Siburt, AuD, Ph.D., CCC-A is an Associate professor and Director of the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also the director of the NC LEND Audiology Supplement and provides clinical services at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She teaches classes in Introduction to Audiology, Professional Issues, Hearing Loss and Developmental Disabilities, and Inter-professional Practice in Rural Health. Her interests are in early intervention, D/HH+ and and clinical education. She previously served on the CAPCSD Program Committee and currently serves on Clinical Education Committee.

Heidi Verticchio, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is the Clinic Director and Director of Advisement in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Illinois State University. Her primary responsibilities include managing the business operations of the on-campus Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic.  Additionally, Heidi is the academic advisor for graduate students in speech-language pathology and audiology. Heidi has taught CSD 432: Professional Issues. Heidi has served as the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee for CAPCSD and volunteered in several capacities for CAPCSD. Additional contributions include presentations and publications in the discipline.

Mandie began as Director of Professional Development for CAPCSD in June 2023. Her professional background includes managing meetings, events and conferences in a destination management company, nonprofit organization, city government agency, and two professional associations, in both professional and volunteer capacities.

In 2010, she joined Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and began serving as a volunteer with the North Florida Chapter. Mandie served on the Board of Directors, and worked with other Florida chapter leaders on a statewide committee for the state's regional conference. She earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) professional designation through the Events Industry Council in 2014 and recertified in 2019 and 2024. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Outside work, Mandie enjoys spending time with her husband and their two teenagers. The McKenzies live in Jacksonville, FL. She loves reading, watching true crime shows, creating table settings, and cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.