Heard & Empowered

Jennifer Parrish is manager of Business Services at The Lighthouse of Houston, a nonprofit that provides services, training, and employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. She oversees a wide range of contracts that provide services ranging from mailrooms, call centers, switchboard services, transcription, and document scanning. A longtime member of the blind community, Jennifer began her career in medical transcription, earned national recognition from NIB, and now leads teams while also hosting the podcast Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential. Her story reflects resilience, advocacy, humor, and a commitment to helping others build confidence and careers. In this episode… For many people, work is about more than a paycheck. It can be a path to independence, confidence, community, and the chance to prove what is possible when the right support and opportunities are in place. But what does it take to move from uncertainty into meaningful work and leadership? It takes training, persistence, and people willing to open doors. Jennifer Parrish offers firsthand insight as a leader, advocate, and podcast host in the blind community, sharing how employment can help people build both skills and self-belief. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of assistive technology, typing skills, mentorship, and connections with organizations that understand blindness and low vision. Taking chances on people also matters, especially when they are ready to grow beyond entry-level roles. Through her work and advocacy, the episode highlights how confidence is built through opportunity, resilience, and community. In this episode of Heard & Empowered, Dean Thompson talks with Jennifer Parrish, manager of Business Services at The Lighthouse of Houston, about meaningful work, leadership, and resilience in the blind community. Jennifer shares why accessible employment matters, how technology and training create independence, and what helped her step into management. She also touches on podcasting, advocacy, and navigating breast cancer.

As immediate past chair of the National Industries for the Blind Board of Directors, Paul Healy helped shape the future of NIB with steady leadership, financial expertise, and a deep commitment to mission. In the latest episode of Mission Driven, Paul reflects on guiding NIB through pivotal moments and shares what ethical leadership looks like in a mission-driven organization. In this episode… People who are blind often face steep challenges in finding and sustaining meaningful employment. How can organizations not only provide job opportunities, but also foster long-term independence and career growth? According to Paul Healy, immediate past chair of the National Industries for the Blind Board of Directors, real impact comes from combining mission-driven leadership with strategic innovation. Drawing on his background in finance, governance, and ethics, Paul helped NIB navigate challenges like the Covid pandemic while championing initiatives that expand the organization's reach. He highlights the transformative role of programs like NSITE, which prepares and places people with vision impairment in roles beyond traditional manufacturing, opening doors to broader career pathways and personal independence. In this episode of Mission Driven, a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast, National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Soraya Correa talks with Paul, a professor at Harvard Business School and longtime NIB board member, shares how ethical leadership, sustainable business models, and a commitment to mission can create lasting opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.

Michael Monteferrante has been the president and CEO of Envision, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, since 2013. Envision is one of National Industries for the Blind's associated nonprofit agencies, proudly serving people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired across the nation – enriching lives through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education, and research. In this episode… Finding a job is challenging enough; for a person who is blind, gaining upward mobility and long-term career success is even harder when opportunity is limited by outdated perceptions and lack of access. According to Michael Monteferrante, a longtime leader in workforce development and organizational transformation, meaningful progress happens when individuals are given structured mentorship, practical training, and a clear pathway to employment. In this episode, he emphasizes the importance of employer education, hands-on cohort learning, and collaborative partnerships that not only build confidence but also open doors to sustainable careers. Michael Monteferrante, president and CEO of Envision, shares how his journey from transit and manufacturing into mission-driven leadership has shaped his belief in reinvesting business success into people. He offers candid views on launching mentorship and training cohorts with NSITE, NIB's talent management enterprise, supporting college students through transition programs, and why impact — not intention — is the key to long-term change.

Rebekah Grieb is a Contract Management Support (CMS) senior site supervisor at Alphapointe, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with vision loss through employment opportunities, rehabilitation services, and job training. Rebekah joined Alphapointe in 2017, and she has led its CMS department since 2022. She also leads the CMS Services Committee for the National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind. Outside of work, Rebekah is a stage manager and production assistant for live theatre and serves as a mentor for future stage managers as part of the Emerging Theatre Professionals Initiative. She holds a bachelor's degree in communication from Pittsburg State University. In this episode… People who are blind face significant barriers to employment and career advancement. What does it take to not just overcome those obstacles, but to lead, hire, and advocate for lasting change? According to Rebekah Grieb, a National Industries for the Blind Advocate for Leadership and Employment advocate, real progress begins when individuals are empowered to tell their own stories and demonstrate what's possible. She highlights how adaptive technologies, federal contracting work, and persistent advocacy can transform exclusion into opportunity. The impact is tangible: unemployed for years despite her qualifications, Rebekah now leads high-impact federal projects and creates employment pathways for others with vision loss. Her lived experience fuels her mission to reshape public perceptions and advocate for legislative change, such as reforming Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and supporting a 1% AbilityOne Program utilization goal for the Department of Defense. Rebekah Grieb, Contract Management Support site supervisor at Alphapointe, talks about building meaningful careers for people who are blind, advocating for legislation that creates employment opportunities, and using adaptive tools to stay competitive.

Maj. Gen. Alice W. Treviño is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the US Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. In this role, she oversees all contracting activities, supporting the acquisition of weapons systems, logistics operations, and enterprise efforts for the Department of the Air Force. With over 30 years of service, she leads a global team of nearly 9,000 contracting professionals executing programs worth approximately $99 billion annually. Maj. Gen.Treviño is recognized for her leadership in innovation, workforce development, and the advancement of integrated contracting capabilities critical to national defense. In this episode… Navigating the complexities of defense contracting can be overwhelming — especially when outdated systems, workforce shortages, and evolving global threats converge. How can agencies streamline procurement processes, ensure accountability, and build a next-generation contracting workforce to support national security? In this episode of Mission Driven, a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast, National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Soraya Correa interviews Maj. Gen. Alice W. Treviño, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Maj. Gen. Treviño discusses the future of defense acquisition, the impact of lifelong learning, the role of innovation in operational efficiency, and how to lead through change and uncertainty. Maj. Gen. Treviño, a seasoned leader in military acquisition and contracting, shares strategic insights into addressing these challenges, from improving contract closeouts to advancing pricing competencies. She outlines the Department of the Air Force Contracting Flight Plan, highlighting four core lines of effort: workforce development, integrated digital tools, innovative processes, and contingency contracting. Maj. Gen. Treviño's approach prioritizes reinvesting in people through recruitment, training, and mentorship while also embracing digital transformation to modernize and elevate acquisition capabilities.

Today's episode focuses on an extraordinary collaboration between employees from NSITE and American Printing House (APH) to create the Job Seeker's Toolkit. Marianne Haegeli is the director of learning and leadership at NSITE. She has more than 15 years of experience as a Learning and Leadership Development professional with engagements in nonprofit, public, and private sector environments. In 2020, Richard Rueda joined the APH ConnectCenter managing CareerConnect, a well-respected interactive resource for job seekers. As assistant director, he works with a team of dedicated professionals promoting critical life changing tools and supports. Lori Scharff worked since 2012 as a work incentive practitioner assisting individuals who are entering the work force. Lori joined the APH ConnectCenter in 2022 as the lead content contractor for careers and employment. Her most recent project was to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit. Tune in this week to discover how APH CareerConnect® and NSITE are collaborating to completely revamp the landscape for job seekers who are blind or have low vision. They discuss the simple ways and the innovative and accessible approaches they use to help people find the employment opportunities that are right for them. For full transcript and show notes, please visit: https://heardandempowered.org/39

Heard & Empowered was created to show that anything is possible when you show up with the right mindset and attitude. Our guest this week, Jonathan Lucus, exemplifies this ethos in everything he does as the director of NSITE, which is National Industries for the Blind's (NIB) talent management enterprise. NSITE works with public and private corporations as much as with the AbilityOne® Program to place people who are blind or low vision in a variety of positions, including many executive and senior leadership roles. Its job board, NSITE Connect, is an invaluable resource that people can access to find currently available jobs. NSITE also provides opportunities outside the AbilityOne Program for people who want to work in Corporate America. Tune in this week for a deeper understanding of how NSITE helps people enter the U.S. workforce effectively and make a positive contribution through a career in the private sector. Jonathan discusses NSITE Connect's triple-pronged approach, NSITE's career training certifications, entrepreneurship programs, and how NIB and NSITE are driving real change in how the corporate world embraces people who are blind or low vision. For full transcript and show notes, please visit: https://heardandempowered.org/37

In this week's episode, Dr. Hoby Wedler is joined by Brandye Lacy, the marketing coordinator at Travis Association for the Blind, also known as Austin Lighthouse. With a passion for writing and advocacy, she excels at crafting and telling compelling stories while championing causes that break down barriers to equality and equity. Brandye began losing her vision when she was in seventh grade and initially tried to hide it. Despite this, her passion for communications never wavered. By combining her love for this field with her advocacy for the empowerment of people who are blind or visually impaired, Brandye has excelled at promoting this cause to bring about beneficial changes in public policy. Tune in this week to discover why and how Brandye is advocating in Washington, D.C. for Congress to mandate that the Department of Defense (DOD) allocate 1% of its procurement budget to the AbilityOne® Program. This increase from the current 0.55% to 1% would nearly double the funding, making a huge difference by boosting employment opportunities and economic independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have significant disabilities. Brandye will discuss the direct impact of this policy change and its effects on the broader community of individuals who are blind and visually impaired and work outside the AbilityOne network of agencies. For full transcript and show notes, please visit: https://heardandempowered.org/35