Dr. Tena McNamara’s audiology journey has spanned clinical practice, academic leadership, advocacy, and national service. With more than four decades of experience and dual certification in audiology and speech-language pathology, Dr. McNamara has worked across educational systems, early intervention, and higher education. She currently serves as a pediatric audiologist at Midwest Children’s Therapy and is the immediate past president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).A strong believer in mentorship and lifelong learning, Dr. McNamara has shaped the profession both locally and nationally. She has helped launch multiple audiology clinics, co-chaired major conventions, led state and national organizations, and advocated on Capitol Hill for legislation that expands audiologists’ role in patient care. In this conversation, she reflects on her wide-ranging career, from rural schools to academic departments, and shares lessons learned about leadership, service, and the future of audiology.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).- https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing- https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing- https://hearinghealthmatters.org/thisweek/