Camp Yakety Yak Leadership Staff 

Heather Eason, MS, CCC-SLP, she/her
Camp Director
Heather started at camp as a volunteer, then served as a Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Director, and now holds the position of Camp Director. Heather is a school-based speech-language pathologist in a rural, bilingual school district.  In addition to her state licensure, she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the National Governing Board, ASHA, and has completed two additional graduate-level certificate courses of study in Autism and High-Functioning Autism.  Heather is a New Jersey native who has loved living in Oregon for the past 25+ years. 

​​​​

Elise Renning, M.Ed Special Ed

Teen Voyagers, Yak Apprentice and Instructor Coordinator  

Elise first discovered camp through her school-based speech and language pathologist after sharing that she was searching for a meaningful summer job supporting exceptional children. More than ten years later, she remains with us, having served in a variety of roles and sharing that there’s nowhere else she would rather spend her summers.

Elise has a deep passion for working with teens and young adults, and she is equally dedicated to mentoring volunteers and aspiring educators. During the school year, she teaches middle school in Beaverton. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Communication and a Master’s degree in Special Education.

 

Maggie Jennings, SLP, she/her

Explorers Coordinator & SLP Supervisor​

​Maggie first learned about camp in a student's annual IEP meeting and she has looked forward to spending her summer with the CYY family ever since. Maggie is a school based speech language pathologist working in SW Washington. She is passionate about supporting children with complex communication needs as well as introducing graduate clinicians to the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). In addition to her state licensure, she holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the National Governing Board, ASHA, and a certificate in assistive technology

​​​

Joseph W. Vera, MA/MPH, CCC-SLP, he/him

Yak Apprentice Lead, SLP Supervisor 

Joseph W. Vera is a fifth year PhD student at Portland State University with a focus area on disability justice, particularly dedicated to young autistic adults. He has a background in both speech pathology and epidemiology, obtaining a master’s from Louisiana State University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center, respectively. ​​Originally from Dallas, Texas and now living in Portland, Oregon, Joseph enjoys the many colors the Pacific Northwest has to offer in their plant life (and the incredible foods that come with it!).  In his free time he enjoys playing videogames and boardgames, and hiking the many mountains around the area.

He has been with Camp Yakety Yak for 4 summers and has been with the Yak Apprentice program for every one of those summers.  He is dedicated to using contextualized learning to build job skills and social communication skills for the Yak Apprentices. 

​

Mya Austin, M.A. Educational Psychology 

Camper Support Team Lead

Mya holds a Bachelor’s in Inclusive Education and a Master’s in Educational Psychology. Currently pursuing post-graduate studies in School Psychology, she spends her school year working as an elementary Special Education teacher. As a member of our Camper Support Team, Mya’s primary goal is to ensure that every camper and volunteer feels safe and empowered. She specializes in preventative support, using positive reinforcement, sensory breaks, and co-regulation strategies to help campers thrive. She is also passionate about coaching our volunteers to better understand and support neurodivergent individuals. When she isn’t at camp, Mya loves baking, tackling a good puzzle, and spending time outdoors or relaxing with her cat, Nyx.

​​

Monica Smiley, she/her

Executive Director

Monica has spent her life and career bringing people together, building partnerships, and strengthening communities. A graduate of The Evergreen State College, she began her career as an AmeriCorps member with The Nature Conservancy and went on to work in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and business development. She previously served as Executive Director of Tualatin Riverkeepers and Friends of Tryon Creek and has worked with sustainability-focused companies, including ChipDrop and Freeya.

Monica comes to Camp Yakety Yak through her experience as a parent and advocate for her disabled child. She brings a passion for creating communities where everyone feels valued, accepted, and connected, along with the experience to build the partnerships and resources that make them possible. At home, Monica grows a ginormous sunflower forest and has an ever growing menagerie of pets.

​​​

​​