- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in North Central Massachusetts where I still reside today. I married my high school sweetheart 33 years ago and we have two adult kids, a daughter-in-law, a 3-legged rescue dog, and two grandpups. While raising our children, I held jobs in retail sales and management, media sales, and part-time dance teacher positions in tap, ballet, and jazz for children and adults. I eventually enrolled in community college part-time, then finished my bachelor's degree requirements for marketing with a minor in information design and corporate communication full-time at Bentley University while I simultaneously worked a full-time position in Waltham as a marketing coordinator for a small business. My husband was managing a restaurant at the time, so needless to say, life at home was a bit chaotic for our kids who were by then in elementary school. After I graduated, I worked as a corporate recruiter for a management consulting firm in Natick for a short time, then I landed a position in my hometown with the local Chamber of Commerce, where I started out managing events, but finished my time as director of sales and member services, after which I returned to the community college, this time as an employee – first as director of alumni affairs, then to a much bigger department as assistant director of enrollment management. Eventually I returned to school to earn a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Worcester State University. Both of my kids were in college at that time, and sometimes we all studied together. My son even helped me study for my graduate school entrance exam! Shortly after I graduated, I saw an opportunity to work in employment services with MCB, which would tie all of my experience and education together, and I jumped at the chance! I have not looked back!
Describe your role at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
I am Employment Services Supervisor. I supervisor staff in the unit, and together we help to prepare and match qualified job seekers with organizations that need their skills. We also help employers find qualified interns, while simultaneously preparing our consumers to engage in our internship program. I oversee several programs that fall under the employment services unit, such as our annual job fair, the summer internship program, Employment Now Initiative, and more!
Why do you feel your work is important?
There are many so many people out there with visual impairment who want to work; they have the skills, the education, and the drive. I love being able to provide a leg up to these immensely talented people. Employment leads to independence, and oftentimes dramatically improves the trajectory of their lives. I’ve heard many stories from people who say they cannot only dream but set goals to make their dreams come true. Employment not only provides income so they can take care of themselves and their loved ones, but it also helps them to build confidence in their ability to live full, independent lives.
What do you love most about working in this field?
I love making connections with employers and educating them on visual impairment and introducing them to talented individuals who fit their hiring needs. When I tell employers stories about people who are blind and visually impaired working in fields that they might not have thought possible – such as nursing, food service, and software engineering – I watch the expressions of amazement and awe on their faces. I also love working with the job seekers – many whom I’ve been working with for nearly a decade - and watching them grow from a teenage student to a working adult professional. After all these years I still get excited every time a job seeker tells me he or she just got the job!
What experiences while working at Massachusetts Commission for the Blind have most impacted you?
There are so many experiences that have impacted me, and each experience is different, and each experience is meaningful. But I think what impacts me the most is probably when I’m working with an individual who has faced multiple barriers – whether they have endured severe injuries from some sort of horrific abuse or an accident or have experienced a severe illness – all contributors to their vision loss - and yet they remain positive, focused, and determined in spite of their challenges. I’m in awe of such fortitude, and I’m humbled.
What’s one of your favorite memories from working with consumers?
The individuals who have been told all their lives they can’t work – sometimes from their own family members. I know this often comes out of a place of love and a need to protect them, but when they turn that “I can’t” to “I absolutely can” and they put in the work and the training they need, and they get a job, it's just wonderful! I’ve worked with several people like this.
What should people know about vocational rehabilitation?
Our vocational rehabilitation team provides training and resources to allow individuals to work and live independently. Individuals with visual impairment work in all different occupations. A large number of them go to college and many have advanced degrees. With the support of vocational rehabilitation, they might learn how to do things differently than people who are fully sighted, but they can still get things done. Look at the skills and abilities of the individuals first. Their disability does not define them. They are individuals with talents, skills, dreams, and goals just like everyone one else.
How do you spend time outside of work?
I love to read, I absolutely love musical theatre, and I enjoy travelling and learning about different cultures. I’ve been to several countries, with Croatia and Montenegro planned for 2024. I also enjoy walking and will often choose to walk rather than driving places whenever feasible. Most of all, I love spending time with my family.
What three words best describe you?
I would have to say caring, organized, and spunky. And those who know me well might add a fourth word, clumsy (yes, I’m a bit accident prone).
Complete this sentence: "I wish that everybody knew..."
people who are blind and visually impaired can do just about anything that anyone else can do, but sometimes in a different way, and MCB is here to support them.
