Our Purpose
At Smiles for Speech (SFS), we view children with disabilities through a lens of potential, celebrating their unique journeys rather than focusing on limitations. We truly understand how challenging it can be for both children and caregivers, especially in communities with limited resources. That’s why we’re passionate about providing empowering training, support, and tailored resources. By partnering with committed local programs, we aim to create meaningful, lasting change in these communities. Together, we can open up a world of possibilities and cultivate brighter futures for our children. Join us on this inspiring journey to empower every child!
Our holistic model combines caregiver training and direct therapy. By teaming up with local and international professionals, we’re committed to upholding high standards to ensure the best outcomes for those we serve.
Our Objectives
Raise Global Awareness: We aim to elevate understanding around the critical role of therapeutic services for children with disabilities, promoting a more inclusive and caring society for everyone.
Ensure Accessible Training: We’re dedicated to providing robust training programs for professionals and families who may lack access to therapy. We believe that every child deserves support and encouragement right at home.
Shift Perceptions: By empowering families and communities with valuable resources, we strive to transform attitudes toward speech and language disorders, reduce stigma, and foster a more supportive environment.
Deliver Essential Resources: We are committed to providing interactive therapy tools, educational materials, toys, and games that engage children, stimulate language growth, and encourage joyful self-expression.
Foster Professional Growth: Our focus on developing training programs and resource libraries for speech-language pathology students ensures the next generation is well equipped for their vital roles.
Embrace Cultural Competence: We aim to weave culturally responsive practices into our services, enhancing delivery and creating truly inclusive communities.
Forge Meaningful Collaborations: Partnering with like-minded organizations amplifies our impact, allowing us to reach even more children and families in need.
Honorary Board Member, Regina Hall
At Smiles for Speech, we understand the unique challenges families face, particularly in developing countries where cultural beliefs around witchcraft and disabilities can lead to misunderstandings. We’re dedicated to creating positive change through our compassionate care. For nine years, we’ve partnered with families, providing valuable training and support to children in Ghana, Kenya, Peru, Rwanda, and the Dominican Republic. Together, we’re building a brighter future for every child by promoting understanding and reshaping perceptions in their communities.
Global Teletherapy Hubs
Empowering children with communication differences through engaging virtual speech and occupational therapy, helping them thrive and unlock their potential.
The Team Behind Smiles for Speech
Sandy Dorsey, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH
Founder/CEO
Sandy Dorsey is a speech-language pathologist, educator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to advancing communication equity for children with disabilities worldwide. She has decades of experience serving individuals in under-resourced communities through her private practice, All About Speech, as well as her work as a lecturer and global advocate. She founded Smiles for Speech in 2017 to deliver therapy services, professional training, and sustainable programs across Africa and the Caribbean. Sandy continues to champion inclusion, empowerment, and access to quality speech and language services for all children, regardless of geography or circumstance.
Executive Board Members
+ Kimberly Formby
Vice President
Kim Formby is a US- and UK-qualified occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience supporting children and families across hospitals, schools, and clinics worldwide. She currently lives and works in Orkney, Scotland, as a Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist for NHS Orkney. Before moving to Scotland, Kim was Clinical Supervisor for a sensory integration private practice with four clinics in London and was a Clinical Supervisor at a local hospital and private practice owner in rural Maine. Passionate about empowering others through education and collaboration, she has trained teachers and parents in Ghana and Kenya and presented internationally on pediatric feeding and sensory integration. She is an active member of both the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
+ Amanda Schaumburg
Secretary
Amanda Schaumburg M.S., CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, public speaker, and children's book author. She is the founder and owner of Panda Speech Educational Consultants, a private practice that provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy services to local school districts and families in the Texas Panhandle. In addition to her clinical work, Amanda is a sought-after speaker who travels nationwide, training educators on special education services and workplace boundaries. She is the founder of Panda Speech Publishing, where she has authored and published 13 children's books. Beyond her professional endeavors, Amanda is deeply committed to community service. She is a Special Olympics coach for track and swimming, and a Kids Inclusion coach for softball. Amanda’s passion for helping others makes a lasting impact on families and professionals locally and worldwide.
+ Herbert Harriott
Treasurer
Herbert Harriott is an Associate Director on the Ernst & Young (EY) Global Talent Team based in New York, where he is a Strategic Talent Consultant focused on talent initiatives for Consulting professionals across the Americas, EMEIA, and Asia-Pacific geographic areas. He has worked in the professional services industry for 30+ years in leadership and senior human resources roles for global and US-based companies. Herbert has extensive experience in leading all functional areas of human resources including human capital management strategies, organizational design, culture transformation, talent development, and HR operations and administration to position businesses for growth. Herbert was the prior development chair for the Black Ivy Alumni League. He believes in the power of comprehensive therapy and committed to supporting Smiles for Speech and contributing to improving the trajectory of the lives of children with special needs.
Board Members
+ Nicole Pounds
Board Member
Nicole Pounds, M.S., MBA, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience, in addition to professional background leading cross functional teams in program development, content, and marketing. She holds her Master's in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University and Master's of Business Administration from Pittsburg State. Over the years, Nicole has been heavily involved in leadership for clinical education and support programming to provide information to families, clinicians, and educators. This includes the creation of a 10-week, international training program for educators on communication strategies in the classroom, leadership of an online support community for parents of children with special needs, and the creation of more than 350 clinical resources and online courses for families, students, and parents. Nicole is excited to be part of the important work that Smiles for Speech is doing around the world to provide support for children, families, and clinicians.
+ Stephen Konde
Board Member
Stephen Konde, MA is a Social Development Professional with over two decades of experience in project management, safeguarding and strategic development in the NGO sector. He holds a Diploma in Social Work, a degree in Business Administration, and a master’s in project management. He is analytical, innovative and uses a participatory approach to enhance operational efficiency. He has a proven track record of managing and leading cross-functional projects and teams to execute complex projects in challenging circumstances. Some of which include HIV among Key populations, PLWDs, and out-of- school children in far-to-reach communities. He is passionate about leveraging technology to drive business growth and is committed to fostering collaborative team environments. In addition to his professional work, Stephen is an active member of his community, volunteering for local initiatives and mentoring young professionals. His dedication to excellence and continuous learning make him a valuable asset.
+ Karen H. Brown
Board Member
Karen H. Brown, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP serves as Dean of Education in the U.S. Virgin Islands and brings over two decades of experience as a licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist, educator, and researcher. Currently, she chairs the International Issues Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her work focuses on inclusive learning environments and educational equity for children with developmental disabilities. Karen’s academic leadership and strategic insight will shape the ELCC’s curriculum, educator and related service personnel training, and community engagement strategies.
Supporting Team
+ Amanda Forgit
Team Coordinator
Amanda Forgit is a trilingual, school-based speech- language pathologist (SLP) holding a Bilingual Extension from Columbia University. Amanda currently serves school age, autistic children, and others with various developmental disabilities in the New York City public schools. She specializes in topics surrounding bilingualism and the SLP, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and feeding disorders. Although Amanda is fluent in English and Italian, her clinical area of interest lies in Spanish. Amanda enjoys connecting with speech-language pathologists and student interns to help support children without access to speech- therapy services.
+ Crystal Neil-Patterson
Events Coordinator
Crystal Neil Patterson is an experienced registered Speech-Language Pathologist in Canada who serves students of all ages in a number of settings including: teletherapy, private practice, private schools, and neurodevelopmental clinics. She worked extensively with the pediatric population ranging from 18 months to 16 years. Crystal is Hanen certified in both It Takes Two To Talk® (ITTT) and More Than Words ® (MTW) programs, and a More Than Words teletherapy programs in collaboration with the Ontario Autism Program initiative. Crystal is PROMPT trained, with a Level 3 certification in Talk Tools. Crystal is passionate about empowering parents through workshops and presentations.
+ Deborah Brooks
Fundraising Events Coordinator
Deborah Brooks is a speech- language pathologist, providing speech therapy to individuals of all ages and levels of need from early intervention to skilled nursing throughout New York City. She earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders M.A. in Speech Language Pathology in 2012, both from St. John’s University in Queens. She is currently an adjunct professor at St John’s University and works at an New York City based private practice. Deborah is the author and illustrator of the speech therapy coloring book series, Color in Speech. Deborah has supported SFS since 2018 promoting awareness, shared culturally responsive resources, and offered virtual parent trainings in the communities Smiles for Speech serves.
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