Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Karen Miranda, M.S., CCC-SLP

Karen Miranda, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a Spanish-bilingual speech-language pathologist in Prince George's County Public Schools. She is an integral member of the Bilingual Assessment Team. Ms. Miranda is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where she teaches a course on language and phonological disorders. Additionally, she coordinates UMD’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Bilingual Speech-Language for Practitioners (BSLP) program.

Ms. Miranda has been a member of the Maryland Speech and Hearing Board since January 2021 as the Continuing Education Director and since 2019 as part of the Multicultural Affairs Committee.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Bethany Schwing-Chapman, M.A., CCC-SLP

Bethany Schwing-Chapman, M.A., CCC-SLP, currently works for Baltimore City Public Schools as an SLP for Pre-K-2nd grade students, while also providing extensive prevention and intervention services for early learners. Bethany is also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Maryland teaching Observation Methods and Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Bethany attended Bloomsburg University, in Pennsylvania, for her undergraduate work and the University of Pittsburgh for graduate school. She then moved to Baltimore, where she worked for Sheppard Pratt Schools for 4.5 years before switching to Baltimore City Public Schools for the past 6.5 years.

DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY

Rachael Caruso, M.S., CCC-SLP

Rachael Caruso, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech language pathologist in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. She is currently working with children ages 3-5 in the Community Based Setting. Rachael has also had past work experiences in the private practice setting and working abroad at a community hospital in New Zealand and private practice/school in Shanghai, China.

Rachael obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Alabama and undergraduate degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences from The University of Maryland.

Rachael has been a member of MSHA for several years and participated in several Advocacy Days prior to joining the Public Policy Committee in 2023. She volunteered as the ASHA STAR (State Advocates for Reimbursement) since 2023.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS

Leah Brush, M.S., CCC-SLP

Leah is a licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist in Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). Leah received a B.A. in Linguistics and a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Vermont in 2017. She received her master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The Pennsylvania State University in 2020 as a recipient of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Collaboration grant. As a part of the AAC Collaboration grant, Leah participated in additional coursework and speciality training to support students with complex communication needs who require augmentative and alternative communication in a school setting.

While at PGCPS, Leah has supported elementary and middle school aged students with a variety of primary disabilities, speech disorders, and language disorders in both general education and specialty program settings. She has served as an AAC mentor supporting SLPs throughout the county in building their capacity to provide services to, dynamically assess, and create Individualized Educational Plans for students with complex communication needs who require AAC to access the academic curriculum. Leah has initiated and facilitated the AAC Community of Practice (AAC CoP) for the past two years and continues to do so. In her role as AAC CoP facilitator, Leah has coordinated guest presenters, presented on focus topics to build capacity, created a website to disseminate resources and evidence based practices, and held open collaboration sessions to support clinical problem solving and colleague collaboration. She has co-presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Convention on literacy instruction for students with complex communication needs.

DIRECTOR OF MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

Norah AlJunaidi, M.A., CCC-SLP

Norah AlJunaidi, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language Pathologist at the University of Maryland College Park. She works as an SLP in the Social Interaction Group Network for All. In her current position, Ms. AlJunaidi works with college-age neurodivergent students to improve their executive function, theory of mind and self-advocacy skills. In addition, she operates a private practice, Sunbird Speech LLC where she works with adult neurodivergent and transgender individuals on executive function and voice therapy. As a member of MSHA she is involved with the Multicultural Affairs committee and has participated in the MSHA Spring Symposium discussing her CFY experience. She is currently a part of the mentorship sub-committee, which is create a mentorship program for SLPs and Audiologists in Maryland. 

Ms. AlJunaidi has been a Member of MSHA since November 2021 and is now MSHA Multicultural Affairs Chair as of November 2022.

DIRECTOR OF RECORDING AND FINANCE

VACANT

DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS AND CLINICAL EDUCATION

Katie Peitsch, Au.D., CCC-A, is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Towson University (TU) where she teaches graduate level courses in the Au.D. Program as well as supervises students at TU's on campus clinic. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland and her doctorate from Towson University. 

Before joining MSHA as the Director of University Affairs, Katie was a member of the committee for several years.

DIRECTOR OF AUDIOLOGY

Sarah Sparks, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-TM

Sarah Sparks, Au.D., CCC-A, CH-TM, is a deaf pediatric audiologist and bilateral cochlear implant user, fluent in both ASL and English. She holds an Au.D. from Gallaudet University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences. Dr. Sparks also holds four master's degrees, including one in early childhood education. She is employed full time as an educational audiologist within Baltimore City Public Schools. Additionally, she has a small online business where she provides aural (re)habilitation services, as well as consultations and professional presentations, about audiology-related topics. Dr. Sparks is an adjunct instructor within Gallaudet University's Department of Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences and the deaf education master's programs at Boston University and Minot State University. She is an off-campus clinical preceptor for student clinicians in Gallaudet University's Au.D. program. Every summer, Dr. Sparks provides audiology services on a sign language-focused medical mission to the Middle East. She has held various volunteer roles within AAA, DCSHA, and EAA, and is a member of ASHA, in addition to those organizations. She has additional volunteer experience within LGBTQ community groups and her local Catholic parish. Dr. Sparks lives in Washington, DC with her partner and their chocolate Labrador and Siamese cat.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Suzie Callan, IOM

Suzie Callan, IOM, has been serving as the MSHA Executive Director since 2022. She has more than twenty years' experience in association management, serving as the Executive Director for multiple components of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She has led associations through change and transition and has executed many conferences and events. Suzie received a Certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Institute of Organization Management, in 2018.

MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Mary Schmidt-Baumgart, M.S., CCC-SLP

Mary Schmidt-Baumgart, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who currently owns and operates My Speech Buds, LLC. She completed her undergraduate and graduate coursework at Towson University. Mary graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in 2012 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2014. 

Mary previously worked in Baltimore County Public Schools and Harford County Public Schools prior to transitioning to full-time operation of My Speech Buds, LLC in the summer of 2023. Between her experience in schools and private practice, Mary has worked with a variety of clients and provided services in the following areas: articulation, language, AAC usage, stuttering, as well as phonics/reading instruction. She currently specializes in providing assessment and therapy services via telepractice in order to increase accessibility of services for clients throughout Maryland.

Mary has been a member of MSHA since April 2023. She was a speaker at MSHA's Clinical Connections Conference as well as became a mentor through the Mentorship Program in 2024. Mary began serving as Chair of the MSHA Mentorship Program in June 2025.