The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Associate Board is comprised of young adults directly affected by hearing loss, either personally or professionally. We proudly have some of the first generation of cochlear implant recipients sitting on our Associate Board, guiding and giving back. In addition, our dedicated Associate Board members are early intervention experts, teachers of the deaf/ hard of hearing in both private and public schools in Illinois, and professionals with a family connection to hearing loss. Through their mentorship program and community gatherings, the Associate Board works to create connections for kids with hearing loss.
Thank you to the Little Owl Social Pub and all of our friends and donors who came out to support Cheers and Beers for Ears – Our Fundraiser for Loaner Hearing Aid Banks throughout Chicagoland. We raised almost $7,500.00!Â
Help us reach our goal of $10,000
Donate today and Help kids with Hearing Loss
THE ASSOCIATE BOARD
Elise Sundberg - Associate Board
Elise works at Child's Voice School teaching the primary II students (ages 5-7) to listen and speak while having fun in the classroom! She teaches the students the academic, social, and self-advocacy skills they will need to be prepared for the mainstream. Elise’s favorite part of the day is her morning meeting time with the children where they all have the opportunity to breathe, stretch, and check in with each other before taking on the day.  Elise began at Child’s Voice as a student teacher from Illinois State University. After graduating in 2016, she began as a small classroom teacher and later switched to PII’s Learning Center in the summer of 2019. She loves connecting with her students and their families while supporting their growth. When she’s not at school, Elise spends much of her time reading books and listening to podcasts while walking Chicago’s lakefront trail.
Jamie Davidson, M.Ed, DT-H
Ms. Davidson has been working within the Deaf & Hard of Hearing field for over 8 years. She graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in special education specializing in Deaf & Hard of Hearing. She is eager to continue and expand educational experiences and graduated from National Louis University with a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction with Advanced Professional Specializations; concentrations in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS). Jamie currently works as a hearing itinerant teacher at the Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) with school-aged students who have a hearing loss. Jamie is also credentialed and works in early intervention as a Developmental Therapist - Hearing Specialist, supporting families and providing aural rehabilitation to children who have a hearing loss birth to 3 years of age. Aside from work, Jamie enjoys reading, skiing anywhere in the mountains and spending time with her family and friends.
Katie Farnsworth - Co-Chair
Katherine Farnsworth, AuD CCC-A
Katie completed her doctorate in Audiology in 2015 from Rush University Medical Center. Currently, she is a pediatric Audiologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, where she is on the cochlear implant team. Katie's lifelong ambition has been to work with children who have hearing loss; she was diagnosed with a bilateral severe hearing loss at age 2. Katie is passionate about planning events that children with hearing loss are able to connect with others. When not at the hospital, Katie enjoys spending time with her growing family and competing in triathlons. 
Erika Knox
Erika is a pediatric audiologist at Rush University Medical Center, where she specializes in the diagnosis and management of hearing loss and related disorders in children. She is passionate about collaborating with families to find the best rehabilitative options for their child with hearing loss- including hearing aids, cochlear implants and bone conduction solutions. Erika has worked with the pediatric population since graduating with her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018. When she is not at the hospital, Erika enjoys trying new restaurants in the city and spending time with family and friends.
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Kaylee Birlingmair
Kaylee graduated from the Doctor of Audiology program at Illinois State University in May of 2025. Currently, she works as an educational audiologist in Chicago Public Schools. In her role as an educational audiologist, Kaylee works alongside families and professionals alike to ensure children with hearing loss have access to their education. In her free time, Kaylee enjoys cooking and exploring the city alongside her dog, Weller!Â
Olivia Lepien - Associate Board
Olivia graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her B.S. in Speech Language Hearing Sciences, and a minor in Critical Disability Studies. She is currently a first year Doctor of Audiology student at Rush University. Olivia is passionate about working with children and families affected by hearing loss and plans to specialize in pediatric audiology after graduating. Olivia currently serves as the Alumni Chair for Rush University’s Student Academy of Audiology. Outside of school, Olivia enjoys cooking, going to the beach, playing volleyball, and traveling.
BE A PART OF IT ALL.
Join our Associate Board.
Looking for a way to connect with other young professionals in the Chicagoland area while giving back to a great cause? Volunteers for the FHSR Associate Board work collaboratively to create exciting events for deaf and hard of hearing children building a true support community for the families. Fun social gatherings and fundraising events to support loaner hearing aid programs round out the mission of the Board, which is made up of Members under 35 who have either been directly affected by hearing loss, work with deaf and hard of hearing children or have a desire to help Illinois children.
