Meet the Team
Katie Armstrong
Founder & Clinic Manager
​M.S., Speech- Language Pathology
Katie is the founder and clinic manager of Small Talk Speech, where she leads a dedicated team of speech-language pathologists committed to delivering high-quality, personalized therapy. While she no longer provides direct clinical services, Katie plays an active role in supporting her team and ensuring that individuals and families receive exceptional care. With a strong belief in the benefits of virtual therapy, Katie champions its ability to offer flexible, accessible, and effective treatment that fits seamlessly into clients’ lives. Her background includes years of hands-on experience in private practice and school settings, specializing in areas such as articulation, phonology, apraxia, language delays, fluency, and autism. She also holds advanced training in PROMPT, Social Thinking, the Lidcombe Program, and Story Grammar Marker—expertise she now uses to mentor and guide her clinical team. Katie earned a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Northeastern University in Boston, and later completed her MBA at the University of Toronto in 2019 to support her vision for building a modern, therapist-centered practice.
Leila Makar
Speech-Language Pathologist
MSc, S-LP Reg. CASLPO
Leila is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist from Regina, Saskatchewan. She earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Alberta before moving to Ontario with her husband. She has supported adults with communication, voice, and swallowing (dysphagia) and is passionate about helping them find and use their voice, whether changes are due to disease, gender transition, or work demands. In pediatrics, she has worked with children from toddlerhood through school age in language, articulation, fluency, and voice. She enjoys supporting families during the early years, when small changes in everyday interactions can make a big difference. By continually expanding her skills, Leila creates a welcoming space where therapy feels manageable and sessions are rewarding for both child and adult. A prairie girl at heart, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, or sitting around campfires, and is a proud pet parent to a rescued racing greyhound.
Kara Bagnulo
Speech-Language Pathologist
BHSc, MHSc, S-LP (C) Reg. CASLPO
Kara is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in adult communication, including professional communication, accent clarity, voice enhancement, fluency, and medical speech-language rehabilitation. She works with adults on professional and confident communication, accent modification, voice and speech production (including stuttering and lisping), social communication skills, and adult rehabilitation services often covered by insurance. Kara holds a Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto and advanced training in Pronouncing English as a Second Language. She has extensive experience supporting internationally educated and North American professionals and has contributed to the development of hospital- and community-based adult communication programs. Kara takes a modern, client-centred approach, blending evidence-based practice, adult learning principles, and strong human connection to support professional success and well-being.
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Keerthi Jarajapu
Speech-Language Pathologist
M.ScA, BHSc., SLP (C) Reg. CASLPO
Keerthi is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with experience working in hospitals, schools, and private practice. She earned her Master of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Western University, following an Honours Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences with a Minor in Psychology. Keerthi has extensive experience with adults in acute care and rehabilitation, providing assessment and treatment for stroke, brain injury, and other conditions affecting swallowing, voice, and communication. Her training includes swallowing assessments, stroke rehabilitation, and cognitive-communication therapy. Keerthi is certified in the MBSImP, E-Stroke, AlphaFIM, and CO-OP approach, and she is skilled at collaborating with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams. She is passionate about making therapy functional, engaging, and evidence-based, and she strives to empower clients and families with practical strategies that carry over into everyday life.
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Stephanie Bertrand-Nicoll
Speech-Language Pathologist
M.Sc., R.SLP, SLP(C), Reg. CASLPO
Stephanie is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA). She is also an active member of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC). Born and raised in BC’s Lower Mainland, Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 2010, followed by a Master’s in Speech Sciences in 2012. With over a decade of experience, she has supported children across diverse settings, including elementary schools, public health centres, preschools, daycares, and virtual platforms. Stephanie’s primary clinical interests include early language development, speech and language support for school-aged children, and fluency disorders (stuttering). Passionate about empowering children to reach their communication potential, she equips parents with practical tools and strategies to support their child’s progress. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys creating memories with her husband and three children, whether decorating for holidays, embarking on road trips, or hiking in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
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