Meet Our Group Facilitators
MnCAN is fortunate to have an experienced group of passionate professionals working to facilitate conversation and support groups.
Amber Beyer MS,CCC-SLP
Amber Beyer joined the MnCAN team in 2020. She currently facilitates the MnCAN Rochester area virtual aphasia conversation group.
Education: Masters degree in Speech Pathology; degrees in German, Cultural Music; certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Career: Amber works full-time for Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester. Her major interests are in the areas of aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, voice, swallowing and TBI. She is certified in LSVT LOUD. As one of the first SLPs at her current facility, she has been instrumental in establishing innovative communicative disorders programs for acute care and outpatient services.
Why MnCAN?
I look forward to contributing to MnCAN’s vision and mission in the Rochester area!
Carly Cauley MA,CCC-SLP
Carly Cauley joined the MnCAN team in 2013. She is currently out on a leave of absence but typically facilitates the MnCAN in-person Edina Aphasia Conversation groups, Book Club and the PPA Staying Connected Education class.
Education: Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Minnesota; Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Iowa
Career: Carly’s areas of interest include aphasia and adult neurogenic communication disorders, literacy-based intervention and AAC. She has supervised and trained graduate students in conducting speech therapy, aphasia conversation groups and cognitive rehabilitation since 2013. As a speech-language pathologist, Carly has worked in a variety of settings including a transitional care unit, outpatient rehabilitation and public schools.
Why MnCAN?
I have been part of MnCAN for nearly 10 years. I love facilitating these groups because I get to witness so many individuals show up to group with courage, commitment and bravery. They’ve all been through a life changing event but are doing amazing things, overcoming so much each and every week. I may help facilitate the conversation but I’m learning more from them than they will ever know.
Sheen Chiou, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
H. Sheen Chiou joined the MnCAN team in 2014. She facilitates a MnCAN virtual aphasia conversation group.
Education: Master’s degree from University of Buffalo in 2001; doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota in 2007
Career: H. Sheen Chiou, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at the Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her clinical and research interests include language and cognitive communication disorders in adults with neurogenic disorders. Sheen has trained numerous graduate students in conducting aphasia therapy and cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also supervised and facilitated the Minnesota State University Mankato Aphasia Group for five years. As a speech-language pathologist, Sheen has worked in a variety of clinical settings including a transitional care unit, long-term care, and outpatient rehabilitation.
About Me: I grew up in Taiwan and am fluent in Mandarin Chinese. I enjoy sharing my expertise about bilingual aphasia and multicultural education with colleagues, students, clients and family.
Nicole Davis, MA, CCC-SLP
Jill Dimitri, MS, CCC-SLP
Jill Dimitri joined the MnCAN team in 2018. She facilitates the Neuroscience Aphasia Conversation Group, Roseville Conversation Groups, Border Battle Conversation Group, All Over Minnesota Virtual Aphasia Conversation Group and the Talk To Me Drama Club.
Education: Undergraduate and graduate speech language pathology degrees at UW-Stevens Point in 1995
Career: Jill has practiced speech pathology in Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois prior to moving to Minnesota in 2015. She initially worked with adults in acute care, short term rehabilitation and outpatient settings. She then developed a specialty in early intervention and has worked with children and families in their homes, clinic, and school settings for 20 years.
Why MnCAN?
I love to witness the friendships and laughter that I get to be part of at each and every meeting. The members and their families inspire me with their ability to support and encourage each other.
The members lift each other up, remind each other that however they communicate they are understood and valued, and that it’s fun to find humor and laugh with those who truly understand.
Erin Helgeson, MA, CCC-SLP
Erin Helgeson has been on the MnCAN team for 3 years. She facilitates the in-person West Metro Aphasia Conversation Group. She is currently on a leave of absence for the Winter 2025 session.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities; Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Minnesota
Career: Erin Helgeson is a speech-language pathologist and resilience coach. Throughout her career, she has helped people with cognitive and communication impairments resulting from stroke or brain injury through traditional outpatient therapy and an Intensive Aphasia Program. Erin deeply values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her clients and their families. She brings a holistic approach to supporting those with communication disorders, emphasizing both improved communication and greater emotional well-being. Erin has supervised and mentored graduate students in both the clinical setting and the classroom since 2015.
Sara Nuahn, MSW, LICSW, PMH-C
Sara Nuahn joined the MnCAN team in 2024. She currently co-facilitates the MnCAN Care Partner Support Group.
Education: Master’s of Social Work from Loyola University-Chicago
Career: Sara Nuahn, LICSW, PMH-C, has been a Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years. Sara spent many years in co-located and outpatient services with Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute as a Behavior Professional, working alongside individuals and families who had experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury. She oversaw the navigation and implementation of services, supports, and resources for clients connected under TBI and CADI waivers as well as acted as the Clinical Supervisor for ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services). For the last 10 years Sara has been in private practice in Chanhassen, continuing to work with individuals through life changes and transitions. Sara also acts as a clinical supervisor to individuals working towards their LICSW licensure.
Krista Petersen MA,CCC-SLP
Krista Petersen joined the MnCAN team in 2018. She currently facilitates the MnCAN PPA Support Groups.
Education: Bachelors degree from the University of Montana in 1989; Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota in 1995
Career: Krista has worked with adults in the area of neurogenic communication in acute care, home care, long term care and rehabilitation settings. She also has experience treating children with communication disorders exhibiting challenging behaviors.
Leah Snow MA,CCC-SLP
Leah Snow joined the MnCAN team in 2020. She currently facilitates a virtual aphasia conversation group.
Education: Leah Snow, MA, CCC-SLP, holds an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Science and Spanish Studies and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Career: Leah currently works as a Speech-Language Pathologist for in the school setting.
About Me: In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time outside with my husband, Isaac, and dog, Rudy.
Why do you enjoy MnCAN?
I love being part of a community that fosters joy and connection, supporting each other through both successes and challenges. It is such a privilege to learn from each other every week!
Mary Strom, MA, CCC-SLP
Mary Strom joined the MnCAN team in 2015. She currently facilitates the Tuesday morning virtual MnCAN Coffee Club group.
Education: Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota
Career: Mary worked as a Speech Language Pathologist in a public school setting for 34 years. She has extensive experience with all age groups ranging from preschool through high school. She is recently retired from the school setting and has developed a special interest in working with adults with aphasia. She started as a volunteer for MnCAN in the St Paul aphasia conversation group and has facilitated various MnCAN groups over the years.
Why MnCAN?
It’s a place where….All of us – get to be real people. Who ask questions. Who care. Who support each other. Who know that to try is courage.
Is resilience. Is learning. Is healing. Who find out
That listening is important, too. It’s all about Communication. And all of its glorious imperfections. That bring us together. To share in ways that work for us.
To smile. To cry. To be connected to each other.
Megan Robertson, CCC-SLP
Why MnCAN?
Rebecca Wilson, SLP
Rebecca Wilson joined the MnCAN team in 2023. She currently facilitates an in-person aphasia conversation group in St. Paul.
Education: Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington in 2005
Career: Rebecca worked in a medical setting for the first 6 years of her career in the Pacific Northwest. Rebecca came back to her Midwest roots in 2011 and has been working in a medical setting in the Twin Cities area ever since. She has supervised numerous graduate students across the years and is passionate about teaching the next generation of speech pathologists the intricacies of neuro-rehabilitation with a focus on patient centered care and exploration of individualized goals. Throughout the years working with patients in all phases of rehab care, Rebecca has particularly enjoyed the work she has done with people with aphasia – helping them to grow and explore their ability within different communication opportunities.
Why MnCAN?
I look forward to this opportunity to work in MnCAN groups and am very excited to bring a group back to the United Hospital campus!