2024 Executive Council

2024 President: Elizabeth DeVelder, M.A., CCC-SLP

Liz DeVelder, MA, CCC-SLP is an Instructor and Clinical Supervisor at the University of South Dakota.   She also serves as the SLP Clinic Coordinator.   Liz teaches many undergraduate courses in the program and loves goal writing, MLUs, and those good old Brown's 14 morphemes!    In clinic, her clinic caseload typically is filled with language, autism, and literacy.   Liz graduated from USD with her BS and MA and then worked in Northeastern Nebraska schools for 7 years before starting at USD.   She lives in Vermillion with her husband, Craig, and occasionally her 2 children make it home. Tyler is at the South Dakota School of Mines and Kate is at Black Hills State.  Liz is excited to be back on the SDSLHA executive board.  She served as treasurer of the organization from 2010-2015. 

2024 President-Elect: Jess Schneider, SLPD, CCC-SLP

Jess Schneider, SLPD, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology. She is currently a clinical supervisor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota. She graduated with a B.S. in Communication Disorders in 2008 and an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Dakota (Go Yotes!) in 2010. Dr. Schneider received her doctorate in speech-language pathology in 2022 from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, UT. She is also trained as an associate-level provider of the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy instruction. Dr. Schneider is a member of the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and has been serving as the South Dakota State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL) for the past 4 years. In her free time, Dr. Schneider enjoys spending time with her family, husband - Tim, two daughters -Lakin and Bentley, and dog- Marshall, camping and boating in Okoboji, reading, and exercising.

2024 Past President: Coral Dirks, AuD, Ph.D., CCC-A 
Dr. Coral Dirks earned her Au.D. in 2017 and Ph.D. in 2020 from the University of Minnesota. She completed her externship at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. For her dissertation, Dr. Dirks studied spatial hearing and fitting strategies for people with (near-)normal hearing in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other. She worked as a research audiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center before coming to USD. At Walter Reed, Dr. Dirks studied the effects of noise exposure and hearing protection on auditory fitness for duty. Dr. Dirks continues to collaborate with the Department of Defense on projects related to spatial hearing, hearing protection, early hearing loss detection, and cochlear implants. She also supports the state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program.
 
Vice-President-Speech Language Pathology: Jason V. Fornwald, Ed.S., M.S., CCC-SLP
    
Jason V. Fornwald, Ed.S, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist employed as an Instructor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at the University of South Dakota. He works predominantly out of the USD Scottish Rite Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls, SD.  Jason has 25 years of experience as an SLP in both MN and SD working with individuals ranging from infant to elderly.  Jason was born in Lampman, Saskatchewan and moved to the United States in 1992 to play college baseball. He now resides in Sioux Falls, SD with his wife, three children and two french bulldogs.

Vice-President - Audiology: Open Position
 
Treasurer: Taya Schmidt, M.A., CCC-SLP
I’m Taya Schmidt, one of the Speech Pathologists for the Brookings School District.  This is my 8th year as an SLP, and my first with the Brookings District.  Prior to taking on my current role, I was the SLP for Chester Area Schools for 6 years.  I proudly obtained my undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and my graduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Dakota.  My husband and I, with our two boys, live in Colman. 

Secretary: Danci Hoff, M.A., CCC-SLP
  
Hi! I’m Danci Hoff [M.A., CCC-SLP]. I’m a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist, residing in Lemmon, SD. I’m employed by Hands on Health, Inc., where I provide speech/language services for multiple school districts, outpatient services, and serve as a Tier 1 Provider for SD Birth-to-Three.  
I grew up in Lemmon [Go Cowboys/Cowgirls!] before attending the University of South Dakota [Go Yotes!]. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Verm and graduated with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2015 and an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017. I may also have a degree in Café Brule, but I never received my diploma for that. 
I returned West River where I was a member of an amazing team of SLPs at the Meade School District for 2-years, but an opportunity knocked at my door to return to my hometown. My boyfriend, his two daughters, and myself have spent the last 5-years together taking lots of adventures and making wonderful memories.
I spend as much time outside as possible – biking, camping, running, gardening, golfing, and hiking. I also enjoy coaching youth basketball, traveling, reading, baking, and watching/playing sports. But spending time with my friends and family is my favorite hobby of all.  

Communication Coordinator: Rebecca Harvey, M.A., CCC-SLP
 
Rebecca is a speech-language pathologist for Teachwell Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD. Rebecca graduated from the University of South Dakota with her M.A. in 2011. She currently works as a teletherapist covering birth to 21 through school-based services. She also works for Mitchell Technical College as a lab instructor in the SLPA program. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and 3 kids while camping, watching the Vikings, cooking, traveling, and completing home projects. 
 

Non-Voting Members

CEU Coordinator: Solveig Sperati Korte, M.A., CCC-SLP
   
Solveig Sperati Korte is originally from Wilmington, Delaware.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religion from Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa and her M.A. in Speech-Language Patholgy from The Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio.  After a number of years in Nebraska, she has lived in Vermillion since 1992 and been an instructor at the University of South Dakota since 1995.  She has two adult daughters.

StAMP and STAR Representative: Vanessa Anderson-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP
    
Vanessa is a South Dakota native who attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls and received her masters degree from the University Of South Dakota in 2010. She owns Anderson-Smith Speech Therapy, LLC in Sioux Falls, SD. Her certified trainings include TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy, Level 4 Certification ,PROMPT Bridging trained, feeding specific to Down syndrome, and planning and assessment of sensory motor feeding disorders. Vanessa has also done specialized training in Myofascial Release, Apraxia of Speech, Reflex Integration and Pediatric Dysphagia. In addition to these trainings Vanessa is also pursuing certification in Orofacial Myology (COM®️) and is one of 7 US TalkTools instructors. Vanessa is on the Board of Directors for Wonderfully Made, a Down syndrome family support organization. She lives in her hometown of Canton with her husband Ryan, their son Drake, 2 dogs, and one cat.

ASHA SLP Committee of Ambassadors: Brittany Schmidt, M.A., CCC-SLP
Brittany is in private practice at Autism Behavioral Consulting, LLC and also works for the USD Center for Disabilities.  Differential diagnosis, social thinking therapy, and ASD specific intervention and information are her professional interest areas.  Brittany volunteered as the SDSLHA Editor for many years and last served as the President of the Board of Examiners for Speech Language Pathologists.  When not at work, Brittany has a retired husband, three grown daughters and one son-in-law who always make life interesting.  Reading, watching movies and hiking are her favorite activities.  

ASHA Audiology Committee of Ambassadors: Adrian Aylor, AuD, CCC-A

Adrian Aylor is an audiologist serving a variety of patient populations at an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic in southeast South Dakota. She is the South Dakota audiology representative on the ASHA Committee of Ambassadors. Through this role, Adrian is hopeful to facilitate communication between ASHA and our state association. 

Membership Chair: Sydney Volesky, M.A., CCC-SLP

Sydney graduated with her Bachelor’s (2018) and Master's (2020) degrees from the University of South Dakota. Originally from Rapid City, SD, she is excited to continue helping the community she fortunate enough to grow up in by working for Rapid City Area Schools as an SLP at one of the elementary schools. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outside, and traveling with friends and family.  

State Education Advocacy Leader: Open Position
   
 
Scholarship Chair: Stacie Carlson, M.A., CCC-SLP
  

My name is Stacie Carlson, M.A., CCC-SLP. I graduated from USD with both my undergraduate and graduate degrees.  I have experience working with a wide variety of clients and age groups, but my primary experience has been working as an SLP in an educational setting.  I am currently a clinical instructor for USD at the USD Scottish Rite Children's Clinic in Sioux Falls.  I love the opportunity to help train future SLPs and still have the opportunity to work with clients!

Social Media LiaisonHanna Pottebaum, MA, CCC-SLP
Hanna Pottebaum is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is employed by the Children's Home Society of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, SD. Hanna graduated from the University of South Dakota with her M.A. in 2022. She currently works with children ages 4 to 14 who have experienced trauma and display significant behavioral needs. She enjoys experiencing the diversity of her students' communication needs, seeing them achieve their communication goals, and helping her students through trauma-informed therapy strategies. When not at work, Hanna can be found crocheting with her cats, golfing with her husband, or going on hikes with her beagle.
 

Student Representatives

Lauren Hanson: Augustana University
Lauren Hanson, originally from Helena, Montana, is a junior at Augustana University majoring in Communication Disorders and minoring in Sign Language Studies. She is ecstatic to be the Augustana Student Representative for SDSLHA as she hopes to continue her education and become a Speech Language Pathologist. She is looking forward to diving deeper into the field of Speech and Hearing while listening to the voices of her new SDSLHA peers.

Open Position: Mitchell Technical College
    

Allie Christianson: University of South Dakota
       

My name is Allie Christianson, I am a senior at the University of South Dakota this year. I am majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Deaf Education and Child & Adolescent Development. My goal is to attend grad school for Speech-Language Pathology next year! I will also be serving as the USD NSSLHA chapter president this school year. I am really excited to be a SDSLHA student representative this year to really see the impact our profession can have on our community.