Nora Mahon

MS, CCC-SLP

speech-language pathologist & youth programming professional

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About

I am a Pittsburgh-based speech-language pathologist specializing in voice and upper airway disorders. I am also a youth programming professional currently working in the summer camp industry, supporting access to traditional camp experiences for TGD youth. Across roles, my work centers liberation, agency, and access to affirming care in all forms.

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An image of Nora Mahon holding a flexible laryngoscope.

Voice & Communication

I specialize in voice and upper airway disorders across the lifespan.

Research Interests

  • Health information-seeking behaviors, including self-initiated GAVC training and related resources

  • Behavioral intervention for Retrograde-Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction

  • Breathing Pattern Disorder and its intersection with functional voice disorders

Vocal Congruence Project

I co-developed a comprehensive resource hub for gender-affirming voice and communication, including a map of over 300 voice trainers and phonosurgeons.

Novel Therapy for R-CPD

I developed a novel behavioral approach to the treatment of Retrograde-Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (R-CPD / No Burp Syndrome) as an alternative or adjunct treatment to Botox injection.

Experiences with Self-Initiated GAVC Change

I am piloting a new evaluation tool exploring experiences with self-initiated gender-affirming voice and communication change, including use of digital resources.

Clinical Experience

  • SLP Clinical Fellow @ UPMC Voice, Airway, & Swallow Center (July 2024 - Present)

  • SLP Graduate Clinician @ Emory Voice Center - Diana Rose Becker, MS, CCC-SLP (Spring 2024)

  • SLP Graduate Clinician @ UPMC Voice, Airway, & Swallow Center - Leah B. Helou, PhD, CCC-SLP (Fall 2023) & Ali Lewandowski, MA, CCC-SLP (Summer 2023)

Education

  • M.S., Speech-Language Pathology (Concentration in Voice) - University of Pittsburgh

  • B.A., Speech & Hearing, Linguistics (Valedictorian) - Cleveland State University

Additional Training

  • Gender Voice Training Workshop (Boston, MA) - Trans Voice Initiative

  • Gender Affirming Voice Training: A Course for Clinicians - Helou, Hirsch, & Block

  • PhoRTE Voice Therapy - Ziegler & Hapner

  • Laryngeal Imaging and FEES Hands-On Workshop - Emory Voice Center

  • Certificate in Bioethics - Cleveland State University

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Selected Presentations

  • Trans Voice Initiative (guest contributions by Mahon, N. et al.) (2025, April 5-6). Transfeminine Perspectives Panel, Early-Career Professionals Panel, & Gender-Affirming Voice in the TikTok Era Panel. Gender Voice Training: A workshop led by gender-diverse speech-language pathologists. Boston, MA.

  • Welch, B., Mahon, N., Helou, L. B. (2024, October 24-26). A Longitudinal Investigation Into the Stability of Communicative Congruence [Podium Presentation]. The Fall Voice Conference 2024, Phoenix, AZ.

  • Mahon, N. & Helou, L. B. (2024, October 24-26). The Vocal Congruence Project: Meeting the Voice Needs of the TGD Community & Professionals Who Support Them [Research Poster]. The Fall Voice Conference 2024, Phoenix, AZ.

  • Mahon, N., Welch, B., Habich, L., & Smith, L. (2024, October 24-26). Experiences with Self-Initiated Gender-Affirming Voice & Communication Change Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals Seeking Voice Services [Research Poster]. The Fall Voice Conference 2024, Phoenix, AZ.

  • Keltz, A. & Mahon, C. (2024, February 28). Gender Affirming Voice Care: Pathways to Communicative Congruence [Presentation]. New York Medical College Gender and Sexual Minorities Lecture Series.

  • Mahon, C., Welch, B., & Helou, L. B. (2023, October 19-21). Long- and Short-Term Reliability of Communicative Congruence and Communicative Dysphoria Measurements [Research Poster]. The Fall Voice Conference 2023, Washington D.C.

  • Mahon, C., Keltz, A. (2023, October 19-21). Gender Affirming Voice & Communication Tutorials on YouTube: Content & Creator Characteristics [Research Poster]. The Fall Voice Conference 2023, Washington D.C.

Youth & Young Adult Programming

With 6+ years of experience in youth and young adult program develpment, I have specialized in LGBTQ+ community building since 2021.

I am currently the Senior Director of Youth Services at Camp Lilac, an overnight summer camp hosting over 150 transgender and gender diverse teens annually.

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Young adults paddle canoes on a pond. Trees are visible in the distance.

Selected Education & Experience

  • Camp Director Certificate - American Camp Association (In Progress)

  • Senior Director of Youth Services @ Camp Lilac (Summer 2022 - Present)

  • LGBTQ+ Student Services Office Operations Manager @ Cleveland State University (Jan 2021 - June 2022)

Selected Presentations

  • Mahon, C., Stanziano, K. (2023, Nov 4). Wellbeing of Campers Attending a Transgender/Gender-Diverse Summer Camp [Research Presentation]. Trans* in the CLE, Cleveland, OH.

  • Mahon, C., Stanziano, K. (2023, Oct 5-7). Wellbeing of Campers Attending a Transgender/Gender-Diverse Summer Camp [Research Presentation]. TransPride YOUniting Health & Wellness Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

  • Additional TGD-focused research highlighted under "Voice & Communication"

Connect

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Vocal Congruence Project

The Vocal Congruence Project is a comprehensive resource hub for gender-affirming voice and communication, including a map of 300+ voice providers and phonosurgeons. I developed all resources to support informed decision making and facilitate practice efforts.

Text on a dark background reading: "Find your voice. vocalcongruence.org"

Novel Therapy for Retrograde-Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction

I developed a novel behavioral approach to the treatment of Retrograde-Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (R-CPD / No Burp Syndrome) as an alternative or adjunct treatment to Botox injection. Pilot data collection is ongoing at the UPMC Voice, Airway, & Swallow Center.

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Experiences with Self-Initiated GAVC Change

Despite widespread use, self-initiated gender-affirming voice and communication change (e.g., independently following YouTube tutorials) is poorly understood. I am developing a new question set exploring experiences with self-initiated GAVC change to help voice providers tailor their framing and training targets.

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