TeenSpeak

2025 TeenSpeakers

Katie Ma

My story of strength: “In-Yun, or Something Like It.” Vulnerability is the softest place we break, yet the only place where we really connect.
Ethan Aryal

My story of strength: “The Truth No One Wants to Talk About.” The real truth, and the effects of bullying.
Liv Clevenger

My story of strength: “Hope For The Now.” Seeking the balance between the future and the present.
Naima Esters

My story of strength: “Fools Gold,” was the journey worth the reward?

Since 2019, TeenSpeak has been able to empower 30 area teens to use their voices to speak up and speak out and share their Story of Strength. These teens are taught how to be public speakers through coaching sessions with local public speakers and then empowered to stand in front of a live audience at TeenSpeak and deliver their talk. We have watched students over the years overcome social anxiety, the fear of public speaking, learn about their inner power, and find their love for speaking. Some of our students have gone on to be keynote speakers, hosts of events, win speech and debate awards, and even step into the title of Miss Indiana Teen USA.

We believe in giving teens a platform to use their voices, build their courage, and tell their stories. We have a team of seasoned public speakers who volunteer their time to coach teens on how to write a short speech about their personal story of strength, then deliver that speech in a short TED Talk-style presentation in front of a live audience.

2024 Presentations and Q&A

Please enjoy this years TeenSpeak presentations and the inaugural Q&A with our speakers.

We believe in giving teens a platform to use their voices, build their courage, and tell their stories. We have a team of seasoned public speakers who volunteer their time to coach teens on how to write a short speech about their personal story of strength, then deliver that speech in a short TED Talk-style presentation in front of a live audience.

Our first ever Q&A with our TeenSpeakers. The students had the opportunity to answer questions directly from the audience, giving us a chance to dive in deeper into our students stories.

2025 TeenSpeak Coaches

Our amazing 2025 TeenSpeak coaches. Each student is paired with a coach, and student coach that guides the speaker through our public speaking training and helps prepare them for their TeenSpeak Presentation.

David Abbott is the current senior pastor at Trinity UMC in Fort Wayne as well as the founding pastor of the Table-a unique faith community located in Fort Wayne as well. He has been married for 17 years to Jessica and they have two children: Koleson and Zoe. They also have an Olde English Bulldog, Brock, who runs the show.

Dr. Saloumeh DeGood is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Chicago, Illinois and Fort Wayne, IN. In addition to running a wellness center and group practice, she provides wellness programs about burnout and stress reduction to medical residents and healthcare professionals. She is the current President of the Sufi Psychology Association and the founder of the Caring 4 Our Caregivers initiative which donates stress relieving wellness resources to healthcare professionals and hospitals. She has authored two textbook chapters, one for nursing and the other psychology.
Her experiences include workshops, retreats, teaching higher education, supervising clinicians, and international presentations including one given at the World Congress of Psychotherapy at the UNESCO in 2017. She was awarded the NBC5 Making a Difference Award and was featured in American Healthcare Leader. Dr. Saloumeh was the recipient of a 3-year Templeton Foundation research grant to study the effects of Sufi Psychotherapy and is the Principal Investigator of another study examining the benefits of the Tamarkoz® Sufi meditation method, which she uses when working with oncology patients and healthcare staff.

Josh joined NeighborLink after serving four years at a local church in Fort Wayne. In his role, he facilitated community building and outreach opportunities for high school students and young adults, Josh loves coming alongside churches, businesses, and communities that love the vulnerable in tangible, practical ways. Josh now works to develop and engage our volunteers throughout every step of the NeighborLink process. Josh enjoys riding his bike, drinking coffee, playing video games, cheering on Manchester United, the Chicago Bulls, and The Chicago Fire. He also loves to attend concerts with his wife, Kendyl, and walk their dog, Rooney.

Dr. Ron S. Lewis is the founder of Lewis Way Leadership Development. Lewis Way Leadership Development (LWLD) is a professional development and consulting firm designed to support organizations and businesses to achieve workplace synergy and harmony. Dr. Ron S. Lewis is a dynamic and inspiring trainer and speaker who has passionately presented to thousands of students and professionals about G.R.I.T. (Guts, Resilience, Intensity, and Tenacity).
He graduated from Barry University with both his bachelor's and master's degrees, graduated from Indiana Tech with his Ph.D., and recently graduated from the University of Saint Francis with an MBA concentrating in Marketing. After four years in the non-profit industry, Dr. Lewis transitioned to higher education. He taught undergraduate and graduate collegiate courses, including Managing Human Resources, Leading Change Management, Organizational Development, and Culture.
Dr. Lewis uses relatable principles accompanied by compassionate stories from his own experiences and research through his doctoral education. Dr. Lewis has delivered presentations about leadership, academic success, and diversity. Dr. Ron Lewis's recent appointment to Assistant Professor and Director of the Marketing & Sports Management Program at the University of Saint Francis illustrates his continued dedication to inspiring, training, and teaching others.

Caroline is a professional communicator with experience in marketing and public relations who aspires to connect individuals with engaging experiences, valuable resources, and meaningful opportunities. She has a BA in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from Purdue University Fort Wayne, and will soon complete her MA in Communication, producing a thesis titled "Learning Self-Talk: The Impact of Mother-Daughter Dynamics on the Development of Intrapersonal Communication." Caroline's professional background involves supporting non-profits by amplifying their missions. Currently, aligning with her passion for mental health, Caroline works as the Communications Manager for the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Student Coaches

Hilmija Hasic
Student Board President

Promyse Williams

Student Board Vice President

“TeenSpeak has changed my life.”

This is a quote that we hear often from our TeenSpeak students. We have watched extremely shy students come out of their shells and have their "moment" on stage. We have watched students with diagnosed anxiety, social anxiety, and fears of public speaking overcome their fears and literally be changed from the moment they step on stage. We have watched students own their stories of pain and use them to empower themselves and others. And we have watched TeenSpeak change lives.

Sounds scary? Many of our previous speakers can tell you they almost didn't follow through with it, but they are so glad they did!