Meet the STARS Community Advisors

Bryan Esler is a Michigan-based photographer who specializes in corporate and community events. Known for his authentic, people-first approach, he focuses on capturing the energy and emotion that make each moment worth remembering. As a person who stutters, Bryan brings a unique perspective and personal understanding to every STARS event, helping him connect on a deeper level with those he photographs. He’s also taken part in several stuttering research studies over the years, driven by a genuine interest in exploring new treatments and solutions for people who stutter.

Zach Greene has always been fascinated by language and stories, leading to a BA in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a minor in the Classics, and a specialization in Literature and the Mind. Pharmacological intervention represented a significant milestone, impacting both his speech and igniting a passion for new treatment opportunities.

Hans is a global footwear expert with over 35 years of experience leading innovation, development, and operations across three continents. From the factory floor to the boardroom, his career has been defined by shaping the future of footwear. Now certified as a personal trainer, Hans combines coaching and consulting to help others thrive in business, health, and personal growth. A person who stutters, Hans is also a passionate advocate for the stuttering community, dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and empowering others to find their voice.

Tarek is a seasoned technology and operations leader with extensive global experience in the semiconductor industry, driving product development from R&D through scaled manufacturing. He advocates for cure-driven research funding and policy, connecting national brain tumor foundations and engaging congressional offices through Capitol Hill visits, virtual meetings, and constituent outreach to advance bipartisan CNS research, funding, and patient access to care. As a person who stutters, he is also committed to advancing research and comprehensive care for individuals who stutter and their families.

Maura Miles is a Special Education teacher in Southern California with a master’s degree in Moderate to Severe Special Education. Informed by her lived experience as a person who stutters, she advocates for individuals with visible and invisible disabilities. She has appeared alongside Dr. Maguire on The Doctors, contributed a personal synopsis to his book Without Hesitation: Speaking the Silence and Science of Stuttering, and participated in research studies focused on the lived experiences of people who stutter, promoting acceptance, inclusion, and the importance of every voice.

Farah Al Qaissieh is a social entrepreneur and TEDx speaker dedicated to advancing understanding and inclusion for people who stutter. As Founder of The Stutter Community, she bridges lived experience, professional expertise, and advocacy across healthcare, education, and community spaces, expanding access to support and fostering more inclusive environments for people who stutter and their families.

Tom Scharstein is an entrepreneur, advocate, and international keynote speaker dedicated to supporting the global stuttering community. As Chair of the World Stuttering Network (WSN), the world’s largest international stuttering support organization, he has played a key role in fostering connections and resources for people who stutter. With nearly 30 years of leadership and advocacy, Tom is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide.

Sam is a graduate student at Columbia University with a passion for advancing treatment options for people who stutter. As a person who stutters himself, Sam has experienced significant improvement in his speech since starting pharmacological treatment several years ago. His personal journey has fueled his commitment to raising awareness and advocating for medical approaches to stuttering treatment.

Jordan Inniss graduated in 2021 from Longwood University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, specializing in Digital Media. Drawing on his skills in the travel industry, Jordan is dedicated to helping people around the world who suffer from stuttering. A person who stuttered from an early age, Jordan was unaware of self-help strategies or support groups until he was introduced to the STARS family. Since then, his mission has been to become more actively involved in the stuttering community. When he's not supporting others, Jordan enjoys spending quality time with loved ones and skateboarding outdoors in warm weather—especially when he can do both at once.

Ernie Canadeo is the Chairman and Founder of The EGC Group, a New York-based advertising and digital marketing agency celebrating its 40th anniversary. EGC has created award-winning marketing programs for major companies such as Canon USA, Brother International, KISS Products, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Emerging Vision, and dozens of healthcare, financial and education companies. He is a person who stutters and was Chairman and served on board of the National Stuttering Association for over a decade. He created the NSA Kids program to expand programs to reach more young people and initiated the NSA Research Program to fund research into stuttering. He currently serves as Chairman of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and lives in Long Island, New York with his wife Catherine.