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.

David K. Brown, Ph.D., CCC-A is a Professor and Director of the Audiological Simulation Laboratory (SIMLab) in the School of Audiology at Pacific University. He is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. He teaches classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels including Introduction to Audiology, Research Fundamentals, Acoustics, and Evoked Potentials. His primary interest is in the use of simulation for audiological education. Additionally, Dr. Brown is actively involved at the national level as Program Site Visitor and member of the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and has co-authored seven textbooks.

Annette Hurley, Ph.D., CCC-A, is Professor and Head of the Department of Communication Disorders and Audiology Program Director at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She teaches in the areas of electrophysiology, auditory processing disorders, practice management, and aural rehabilitation. Her research interests include auditory processing, electrophysiology, hearing across the lifespan, and audiology education. Dr. Hurley has served in numerous national leadership roles with ASHA, the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA), and CAPCSD. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues to develop engaging educational programs and is excited to serve on the CAPCSD Conference Planning Committee.

Dr. AnnMarie C. Knight currently serves as Associate Professor and Program Director Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program at Oklahoma Baptist University.  She received a B.A. from the University of South Florida and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Dr. Knight practiced clinically in the acute care hospital setting before returning to academia in 2017.  Her areas of clinical interest include acquired adult neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders and her areas of research focus have included aphasia, dementia, and scholarship of teaching and learning. Dr. Knight is passionate about mentoring the next generation of speech-language pathology professionals.

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.

Kristy Weissling, SLP.D., CCC-SLP is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Director of the Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute. Her clinical and scholarly work focuses on adult acquired language and cognitive disorders, with particular emphasis on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), aphasia, and cognitive-communication impairments.

Her work contributes to improving assessment and intervention practices for individuals with complex communication needs and to strengthening graduate education through innovative clinical and interprofessional models. She has been involved in national initiatives addressing post-acute stroke rehabilitation and communication supports for individuals with aphasia.

Dr. Weissling is actively engaged in professional service at the national level. She serves on the CAPCSD Conference Planning Committee, is a Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) site visitor, and has contributed to professional and editorial initiatives including the American Heart Association and Topics in Language Disorders editorial board. Dr. Weissling is Professor of Practice Emerita in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she previously served as Interim Chair, Speech-Language Pathology Program Director, and Clinic Coordinator. 

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.

She is a member of the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) North Florida Chapter and served on the Board of Directors for multiple years. Mandie served 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 (recertified in 2019, 2024). She is also 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.