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!
Help us reach our goal of $10,000
Donate today and Help kids with Hearing Loss
THE ASSOCIATE BOARD
Laura Conway, J.D. - Associate Board
Ms. Conway, a recent graduated of William & Mary Law School, serves as a legal advocate for individuals with disabilities with Illinois Legal Aid. As one of the first generation of children with hearing loss to receive a Cochlear Implant, Ms. Conway has worked tirelessly to assure equity and parity for all individuals. Happy to be back in Chicago, Ms. Conway looks forward to continuing her work on special education and disability rights while she serves on the Associate Board.
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.
Natalie Goldman - Chair
Natalie received her B.S. in Linguistics from Washington University in St. Louis with a minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She currently works for Henry Crown and Company and is involved in the firm’s venture investments in the healthcare sector. Natalie is passionate about working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. She has volunteered with the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, the Child’s Voice School in Chicago, and the Thirty Million Words Project at the University of Chicago.
Elise Sundberg -
Rick Denis
Rick is a Licensed Hearing Care Provider (HCP) in Illinois. Rick works with Hearing Labs and enjoys helping patients recover the joys of hearing and enhancing their quality of life. Being a Hearing Care
Provider compliments Ricks other passion, music. Rick attended Columbia School of Music and is accomplished on many instruments.
Rick has, on occasion, brought his guitar to work and played for patients before and then after they receive hearing care. The expression on their face when they clearly hear music is all the compensation Rick needs. On weekends you can find Rick in a church choir or visiting his grandparents, again with his guitar. Rick is looking forward to working with FHSR kids and helping to bring them the joy of music!
Kim Tasharski - Co-Chair
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.
