Staff

The staff of the Aphasia Center of California is dedicated to bringing innovation, compassion, and expertise to serving people affected by aphasia. All therapy is provided by highly experienced speech-language pathologists who have dedicated their careers to the treatment of aphasia and other neurological communication disorders.

Susan E. Adair Ewing, M.A., CCC-SLP

Susan E. Adair EwingSpeech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Ewing brings more than 40 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist working with adults having neurologic communication disorders. Before moving to California in 1994, she worked at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan where she began communication and psychosocial groups for stroke survivors and family members. She has co-authored a book, “Pathways: Moving beyond stroke and aphasia,” and two videotapes, “What is Aphasia?” and “Pathways.”

Alyssa Rome, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Rome earned her Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, she worked as a journalist for many years. She began at the Aphasia Center of California as a volunteer in 2016. Ms. Rome has also worked with adults in acute care, outpatient, and skilled nursing settings.

Amanda Olson, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS

Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Olson received her Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. Her speech-language pathology work experience includes inpatient, rehabilitation, home health, and outpatient settings. She has also worked as a clinical educator and supervisor at San Jose State University. Ms. Olson facilitated aphasia groups at the ACC’s Menlo Park program site for several years before starting her family. We’re happy to have her back as part of the ACC team!

Carly Millanski, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Millanski received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Her work experience includes clinical and research speech-language pathology positions in rehabilitation and outpatient settings. In addition to her ACC staff position, Ms. Millanski is currently a research speech-language pathologist in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Texas, Austin.

Gabby Saucedo, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Saucedo received her Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. She has prior work experience in two acute rehabilitation settings. In addition to her ACC staff position, Ms. Saucedo currently works as part of an interdisciplinary team at a regional medical center where she is an active member of the Brain Injury Committee.

 

Willa Keegan-Rodewald, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Ms. Keegan-Rodewald received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Texas at Austin. Her work experience includes speech-language pathology positions in outpatient, rehabilitation, research, and pediatric settings. In addition to her ACC position, Ms. Keegan-Rodewald currently works with adults in their homes and communities as part of a neuro rehabilitation interdisciplinary team.

Madison Cano Fox, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS

Speech-Language Pathologist
Ms. Fox received her Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders & Sciences from California State University, East Bay. During her graduate studies, she gained experience in facilitating aphasia groups as well as an aphasia choir. Before beginning her career as a speech-language pathologist, Ms. Fox was a professional musician. In addition to her work at the ACC, she currently works with adults at a regional medical center. Ms. Fox is certified as a brain injury specialist by the Brain Injury Association of America.

Giti Cira, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist
Giti (“G”) is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with expertise in aphasia, apraxia, cognitive-communication disorders, traumatic brain injuries, dysphagia, and dementia. Since 2017, she has worked in hospital, acute rehabilitation, outpatient, and community-based settings, facilitating both in-person and online aphasia communication groups. Known for her resourceful and innovative approach, Giti incorporates humor and empathy into her sessions, creating a safe and engaging space for individuals to connect and express themselves. Passionate about advocacy, she has also taught a graduate-level course on neurogenic communication disorders at CSUEB.

Emma Borba, Office Administrator

Sarah Burton, M.S.

Executive Director, M.S.
Sarah Burton received her Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University, Boston. She has over 15 years of administration and management experience in clinical, education, and community development settings across the Bay Area. She brings a wealth of expertise in fundraising, organizational development, operations, and program management.

 

Roberta J. Elman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, ASHA Honors

Roberta ElmanFounder and Speech-Language Pathologist
Dr. Elman holds Board Certification in adult neurologic communication disorders from the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. She received her doctorate in Speech & Hearing Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to founding the Aphasia Center of California, Dr. Elman was Co-Director of an outpatient medical rehabilitation center. She has more than 40 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of neurologic communication disorders. She is the author of numerous professional publications and the editor of a book published by Plural Publishing, “Group Treatment of Neurogenic Communication Disorders: The Expert Clinician’s Approach.” Dr. Elman is an Honors recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.