Archives: Employees

VernaAnn Kotansky, MA, CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist and President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC. A native of Western New York, she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo.

With more than 30 years of experience, VernaAnn has dedicated her career to helping children communicate confidently through innovative speech and language therapy. Her professional expertise spans hospital, rehabilitation, developmental center, and public school settings—always with a focus on empowering children through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the use of communication boards.

Her areas of interest include AAC and Assistive Technology, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social Communication/Pragmatics, and Executive Function. VernaAnn holds advanced certifications in Assistive Technology for Communication and Classroom Applications from the University of South Florida. She is also T.E.A.C.C.H. certified, PECS trained, and a proud Martha Holden Jennings Scholar.

VernaAnn maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is an active member of the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT). She continues to provide school-based speech therapy services, ensuring her clinical practice remains current and family-centered.

As President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, VernaAnn leads with a mission to make communication accessible to everyone. Her company designs and produces affordable, high-quality communication boards and AAC resources that promote inclusion in schools, playgrounds, and communities across the nation. Resources at Lakeshore Speech’s Playground Communication Boards are now used nationwide to support individuals with communication differences and to raise awareness about AAC.

VernaAnn lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters. She is passionate about helping families, educators, and communities understand the power of AAC and communication boards to foster inclusion, connection and a voice for every individual.

Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, is the co-founder and Vice President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience helping children find their voices. She has dedicated her career to evaluating and treating children with speech, language, and social communication disorders across private practice, hospital, and school settings.

Ellen earned her undergraduate degree in Communications from Marquette University and her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed by the State of Ohio in Speech-Language Pathology.

Ellen brings advanced training in evidence-based speech therapy approaches, including the PROMPT Method for Motor Speech Disorders and the Hanen “It Takes Two to Talk” program, which empowers parents to take an active role in their child’s communication development. She believes that parent involvement is the foundation of successful therapy and has built her private practice model around collaboration and family engagement.

Her areas of professional interest include Early Intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Ellen’s commitment to supporting families and children with communication needs was recognized in 2017 when she was honored with the Connecting for Kids Professional of the Year Award.

As Vice President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, Ellen helps lead the company’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality communication boards and AAC resources that promote inclusion and accessibility for all individuals. Resources at Lakeshore’s Playground Communication Boards are now used nationwide, supporting children, families, and communities in building stronger connections through communication.

Ellen resides in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and five children. She is passionate about empowering families to use AAC and communication boards as tools for connection, confidence, and inclusion—both in therapy and in everyday life.