Business Title: Public Education Manager

Employed by: Prevent Blindness Florida - The state’s premier sight-saving organization dedicated to eye health and safety, as well as public education. Our mission is to Prevent Blindness, Preserve Sight. We do this through education, research, and advocacy.

Did you know: Nearly half of blindness can be prevented. One in 20 preschool children has an eye problem that can lead to vision loss if left uncorrected. This increases to 1 in 4 for school-age children. Florida has more than 261,745 people over 40 who are living with visual impairment. By 2030, over 4 million Floridians will have vision impairment such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic retinopathy.

During my real job I will handle public relations, marketing, and community relations for Prevent Blindness FL. I will produce press releases, both print and online newsletters, events, talking points for others as well as for myself, all in an effort to raise awareness of the organization and its mission.

Experience/background: I am a communications and advancement generalist with 17 years in public relations and alumni relations at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. My strengths include writing and editing, event planning, communications, relationship building, public relations, fundraising, and organizational skills. I bring with me skills in program management, volunteer training and management, photography, media relations, and print production.

Other community activities: I am on the board of Bahama Shores Neighborhood Association. I am an elder in my church. I have often participated in CROP Walk, the Race for the Cure, and the Heart Walk. And, I am on the board of Congregations Untied for Community Action, a grassroots, congregation based community organization seeking social justice for disempowered residents of St. Petersburg with a focus on south St. Pete.

Birthplace: Lima OH. Have lived in Cleveland, Dayton, and Independence Ohio. Graduated from HS in Nashville, TN.

How long living in FL: Came to FL to attend Florida Presbyterian College in 1967. Have lived here all but ten years since then. I spent ten years in New Orleans, LA.

Most notable accomplishment: Raising two fine boys? Working with the Peacemaking Subcommittee of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, I put together almost completely on my own an Alternatives to Violence Conference in 1995.

Something you may not know about me: I swam competitively in high school. One year I was third in the city of Nashville in the 100 meter breaststroke.

Professional goals: I’d still like to be professionally involved in social justice some day.

Personal goals: To make sure I grow in my faith and to continue to develop as a person while making sure I take time to enjoy life.

My words of wisdom: Micah 6:8: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Why I joined BPW: to develop networking skills and gain a network.

BPW membership length: 2003