National SAA Past President Interview: Kari Morgenstein Dermer, AuD

Celebrating 15 Years of National SAA!

Over the past decade and a half, the national Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) has accomplished so much as an organization, building a strong foundation for the future of the audiology profession. The success and growth of national SAA is contributed largely in part to the vision and leadership of its past presidents. To honor and reflect on their hard work, the national SAA communications committee conducted an interview series with several national SAA past presidents.

Our last interview is with Kari Morgenstein Dermer (she/her) who earned her AuD at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). Dr. Morgenstein Dermer served as national SAA president between 2013-2014.

Why did you originally join the national SAA?

I joined the SAA to have a larger impact in our profession.

How long did you serve on the national SAA Board of Directors or as a volunteer for national SAA?

Gosh, this is hard for me to remember! Is that bad? I believe I was on the SAA Board of Directors for three years. My first year I was the SAA programs chair and advocacy chair and then I served as president and then past president.

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from being a member of national SAA?

Being involved with the national SAA was a transformative experience. The most valuable lesson I learned was how to lead a team effectively. Surrounded by inspiring student and professional leaders, I gained invaluable insights and strategies. Early in my professional journey, I had the opportunity to “fail forward” in a supportive environment, which was crucial for my growth and development. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping the leader I am today.

What is your favorite memory from your term as national SAA president?

Being around the board members was always a blast! Whether we were brainstorming new programs, challenging the status quo, or just talking about life, it was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by such hardworking and dedicated individuals. Many of these board members have become close friends, and we now navigate life’s ups and downs together. It’s pretty cool!

Where are you working now?
  
I am the co-owner of dB Coaching Group and a certified professional career and executive coach. In this role, I help audiologists create a career plan with confidence without sacrificing their family or sanity in the process!

In what ways did being involved in national SAA influence your career?

Being involved in the national SAA influenced my career in several ways. First, it honed my leadership skills by providing opportunities to lead a diverse team and lead various projects/initiatives. Second, I met incredible individuals many of which became my mentors that were (and still are!) instrumental in my growth. Last, I recognized through my experiences that although we provide some career support to audiologists, we fall short in many areas. Professional coaching can be a game-changer for our careers and our lives in general. This is something I desperately wished I had, especially in the early stages of my career. It would have spared me many sleepless nights and quite a few tears!

Are you currently involved with the American Academy of Audiology?

I previously served on the Academy Board of Directors before battling several life-threatening health conditions that forced me to put many things on hold. Now that I’m back up and running I look forward to getting more involved.

What’s one piece of advice you would like to share with current SAA members?

Dare to dream big, follow your heart, and carve out a career that reflects your authentic self.