Global Speech & Language is a partnership between Chicago speech-language pathologists Gianie Perez and Sonia Lambajian, who bring almost 20 years of combined experience working with individuals from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Between the two, Ms. Perez and Ms. Lambajian have varying proficiencies in Russian, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, and French. Both enjoy studying languages in their spare time. Experience developed through years of traveling and living in large metropolitan areas both in the United States and abroad has allowed both trainers to develop a unique understanding of the cultural and linguistic challenges that non-native speakers of English encounter in their personal and professional lives.

Gianie Perez is a licensed speech language pathologist (SLP) who holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She has received multiple ACE awards from ASHA for continued efforts in seeking educational opportunities to enhance her clinical competence. Ms. Perez received a masters in speech-language pathology from Syracuse University and a masters in public administration and health service management from Roosevelt University. Ms. Perez has experience treating a wide range of communication deficits in people of all ages in settings including early intervention, early elementary school, home health care, acute care, and sub-acute in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation. She has served as a consultant for concerns related to dysphagia, voice disorders and dementia management. Ms. Perez uses her bilingual skills to assist others in meeting their communicative needs. She has served as a clinical mentor and supervisor to students and clinical fellows. She has also mentored non-SLP clinicians in becoming more competent in multicultural settings. CERTIFICATION/TRAINER AFFILIATION: Compton-Pronouncing English as A Second Language (Compton P-ESL) Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) www.ASHA.org Illinois Speech & Hearing Association (ISBE) Accent Link www.800language.com Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN) www.corspan.org

Sonia Lambajian is a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in the state of Illinois and is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She has experience as a speech and language consultant, working with hospitals and corporations throughout the Chicagoland area to provide on-site individual and small-group courses in ESL, accent modification, and cross-cultural communication to professionals from diverse cultural and language backgrounds. Ms. Lambajian holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) and a Master of Science degree in communication disorders from Rush University (Chicago, IL). She continues to work in both the private and public sectors to provide speech and language services to children and adults who need to improve their communication skills in addition to mentoring graduate students and new clinicians. Throughout her career, Ms. Lambajian has remained committed to expanding her knowledge as a speech-language pathologist and communication trainer in order to help others communicate effectively and with confidence. CERTIFICATION/TRAINER AFFILIATION: Compton-Pronouncing English as A Second Language (Compton P-ESL) Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) www.ASHA.org Illinois Speech & Hearing Association (ISBE) Accent Link www.800language.com Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN) www.corspan.org