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
Amelia Bibler - Associate Board
Amelia graduated from the University of Georgia in 2022 with her B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Currently in her second year as a doctoral student in Audiology at Rush University, she aspires to specialize in adult, geriatric, and pediatric audiology. Amelia's passions lie in vestibular assessment, hearing aids, and clinical research across all age groups. She actively engages in volunteer work and is thrilled to serve on the associate board for FHSR. Building connections with children with hearing loss and their families holds profound significance for her, as does exploring new perspectives to enhance hearing healthcare for all. Beyond her academic pursuits, Amelia finds joy in running, reading, and spending quality time with friends!
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. 
Kelly Schlicher
Kelly graduated from University of Georgia in 2022 with her B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is currently a 2nd year doctoral student for Audiology at Rush University. Kelly is interested in being a pediatric audiologist and is passionate about hearing conservation for all ages! She cannot wait to get involved with FHSR and help facilitate connections for children with hearing loss and their families. Throughout the years, Kelly has volunteered for numerous organizations providing hearing screeners, free clinic days, and other audiology-related tasks. She loves to get involved with volunteer work in her local community and hopes to provide more global outreach in the future. Aside from school, Kelly enjoys listening to podcasts and spending time with her friends and family. 
Kiersten Flynn
Kiersten graduated from Illinois State University with her BS in Special Education as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She taught at Child’s Voice in Wood Dale, IL for 5 years in their school program as a small group teacher. She worked in both the pre-school and school aged departments. In this role she worked with students on language and vocabulary development, listening and speaking skills, as well as reading and math academic content. Kiersten started this year in CPS in one of their cluster programs for DHH students at Jamieson Elementary School. She is currently working with K-2nd graders. Kiersten has a deep passion for teaching. Her favorite part is being able to form connections with the students and their families. individuals.
Kim Tasharski - Co-Chair
A graduate of Illinois State University, Kim earned her BS in Special Education as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  She is also credentialed in Early Intervention as a Developmental Therapist-Hearing Specialist. Currently, Kim works on the Early Intervention team at Child’s Voice is Wood Dale, IL, and provides Aural Rehabilitation therapy in the home for infants and toddlers with hearing loss and their families.  She is also the teacher of the Toddler Group Aural Rehab program at Child’s Voice, teaching toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old.  Kim has worked in the field of Deaf Education for more than 12 years, and is passionate about teaching children in natural environments that are rich in literacy, music, and play.
Rick Denis - Associate Board
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! 
Sydney Dejewski - Associate Board
Sydney graduated in 2022 from the University of Pittsburgh with her B.A. in Communication Science, along with minors in Sociology and Linguistics. She is currently obtaining her Doctor of Audiology degree from Rush University. There, she also serves as the National Representative for the Student Academy of Audiology and the Secretary for the Student Government Association. She is also a member of the Illinois Academy of Audiology Student Board. Sydney has always had a passion for working with children and plans to work as a pediatric audiologist in the future. In her free time, Sydney loves to read and explore Chicago!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.
