Matt Koch is the general manager of Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB). This self-supporting Virginia state agency provides direct employment and career pathways for people who are blind or visually impaired through manufacturing, retail, and service contracts.

Under Matt's leadership, VIB has grown to employ around 160 people — including 80 individuals who are blind — with an annual budget close to $60 million, and boasts a 94% employee satisfaction rate.

Despite losing most of his vision in his early 30s, Matt has held senior leadership roles in both government and private sectors. He is dedicated to empowering individuals with vision loss, helping them achieve professional success and independence.

Losing one's vision can shatter a career and identity. But for Matt Koch, it became the beginning of a new mission. After 15 years as a Navy helicopter pilot, Matt was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor that led to near-total vision loss and medical retirement. Rather than give in to despair, he rebuilt his life and found purpose leading Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB), a self-sustaining state agency that provides meaningful employment and career development for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.

In this episode, Matt joins host Dean Thompson to share how he turned personal loss into a legacy of empowerment. He reflects on his journey from flying missions at sea to managing a multimillion-dollar organization that employs more than 160 people — half of whom are blind. Matt discusses how VIB's innovative model combines manufacturing, service contracts, and professional training to create pathways to independence. He also highlights success stories of employees who have gone from public assistance to homeownership, and the growing collaboration with NSITE to expand career opportunities nationwide.

Matt's story is a testament to the fact that blindness is not a limitation, but rather an opportunity to create new perspectives on what's possible. Through resilience, mentorship, and a deep belief in human potential, he shows how challenges can inspire us to see beyond our circumstances.

Dennis Steiner is the president and CEO of VisionCorps, a nonprofit that provides rehabilitation services and employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.

Dennis joined VisionCorps in 1983 and held a variety of roles with the agency before becoming CEO in 2008. Under his guidance, the organization expanded its facilities across multiple Pennsylvania counties and merged with a sister agency to further its reach.

Dennis has led initiatives to strengthen workforce development, expand community partnerships, and advance employment opportunities for people who are blind. Additionally, he serves on several national boards within the fields of blindness and rehabilitation.

Securing independence and meaningful employment for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired requires more than just creating jobs. It takes mentorship, advocacy, and a deep belief in human potential. For over four decades, Dennis Steiner, president and CEO of VisionCorps, has led with that philosophy, transforming lives through opportunity and empowerment.

In this episode of our Mission Driven series, Dennis joins NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa to reflect on his 42-year career and the lessons that shaped his leadership. He discusses how shifting from a caretaking model to a culture of empowerment revolutionized VisionCorps, the critical role of mentorship in developing future leaders, and why embracing failure is vital for growth and innovation.

Dennis also shares his experiences representing the U.S. at the World Blind Union, advocating for greater access to employment and technology, and expanding VisionCorps' reach to serve thousands across Pennsylvania. As he prepares for retirement, he offers thoughtful advice to the next generation of leaders – to listen, learn, and lead with purpose, creativity, and courage.

Charles Ansley is an IT professional who turned a life-changing vision loss into a story of resilience and ambition. After losing his sight in 2019 due to complications from high blood pressure and glaucoma, Charles refused to let his disability define his future. Through NSITE's vocational programs, he completed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) training and is preparing for certification to launch a career in network engineering and cybersecurity. He now inspires others who are blind, proving that with determination and hard work, there are no limits to what can be achieved.

Losing vision unexpectedly can feel like life as you know it has come to a sudden stop, but for Charles Ansley, it became the catalyst for a powerful new beginning. After experiencing sudden sight loss in 2019 due to high blood pressure and glaucoma, Charles faced the challenge of raising his teenage son while also reimagining his career and personal goals.

In this episode, Charles shares how he rediscovered his passion for IT, enrolled in NSITE's Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) program, and mastered tools like JAWS and NVDA to pursue a career in network engineering and cybersecurity. He explains how the program's instructor-led, accessible training created a sense of community and provided him with the confidence and technical skills to succeed.

Drawing from his own journey, Charles reflects on the mindset shift that helped him see beyond limitations and become a role model for other people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. His story proves that, with perseverance, adaptive technology, and the right support system, barriers can turn into possibilities and independence can be redefined.

Mary Jane Surrago is assistant secretary emeritus of the Board of Directors for National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a nonprofit that creates and sustains employment for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. She retired in February 2025 after 50 years of service and received NIB's highest honor, the R.B. Irwin Award. Over her career, Mary Jane held leadership roles in administration, governance, communications, and rehabilitation services. She also authored Empowering People: The Story of National Industries for the Blind, in honor of the organization's 75th anniversary in 2013.

For many professionals, a long career is defined by titles and achievements. But what does it look like when a career is defined by unwavering dedication to mission and service?

Mary Jane Surrago spent 50 years at National Industries for the Blind (NIB), shaping its communications, governance, and storytelling while supporting its mission to create employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. Along the way, she led milestone initiatives like NIB's 50th anniversary campaign, authored the organization's official history, Empowering People, and was recently honored with the R.B. Irwin Award, the highest recognition NIB bestows. Her journey reflects the power of combining professional excellence with a deep commitment to creating an impact.

In this episode of Mission Driven, a special series of the Heard and Empowered podcast, NIB President and CEO Soraya Correa sits down with Mary Jane to reflect on her five decades of service. Together, they explore the lessons learned from a lifetime of leadership, the evolution of NIB's mission, and the advice Mary Jane offers to those pursuing meaningful, mission-driven careers.

Alexis Flores is the chemical production line lead at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, a nonprofit that empowers people who are blind or visually impaired through training, education, and resources. He manages production operations while also taking part in the hands-on manufacturing process. Starting as a production assistant, Alexis learned to operate machinery and adapt processes for accessibility, which led him to a leadership role. Through community support and advocacy groups, he has been inspired to achieve success both professionally and personally.

For Alexis Flores, advocacy isn't just a role—it's a calling.

As chemical production line lead at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, Alexis has seen firsthand the power of employment to transform lives. Now, he's using his role as an NIB Advocate for Leadership and Employment to champion broader change—speaking out about the barriers created by SSDI income limits, urging policymakers to expand employment opportunities through the AbilityOne Program, and representing his community on Capitol Hill.

In this episode, Alexis reflects on why advocacy matters, how lived experience shapes his leadership, and what it means to stand up for people who are blind in the workplace and beyond.

Rebecca Martin is a Certified Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation Services, a state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. She provides counseling, guidance, and access to assistive technology to support her clients in securing employment.

Securing meaningful employment is often a steep climb for people with vision loss or other disabilities, especially when access to resources and opportunities is limited. However, with the right training, adaptive tools, and support network, those barriers can be transformed into stepping stones toward independence.

Rebecca Martin, a seasoned vocational rehabilitation counselor, has seen firsthand how structured guidance and NSITE's specialized training programs help clients develop confidence, workplace skills, and a clear path to employment. In this episode, she discusses why virtual learning and peer connections are essential, how progress reports build trust between counselors and training providers, and what it means to watch clients rediscover their potential.

Drawing on her own journey with multiple sclerosis and vision loss, Rebecca shares inspiring stories of individuals who overcame setbacks, rebuilt professional skills after traumatic brain injuries, and embraced assistive technology to succeed in their careers. Her perspective highlights how collaboration, compassion, and the right resources can open doors to lasting career success.

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.

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.

Joe Spicer is the contact center services manager at Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB), a nonprofit that empowers people who are blind or visually impaired through meaningful employment, as well as a National Industries for the Blind Advocate for Leadership and Employment.

Joe has over a decade of experience at MIB and a prior career in banking, finance, and business operations. In his current role, he trains and supports contact center agents using adaptive technology. Joe was named MIB's Employee of the Year in 2014.

People who are blind or visually impaired often struggle to find stable, fulfilling employment — not because of lack of skill, but because of systemic barriers and outdated assumptions. What happens when someone with lived experience takes the lead in removing those obstacles?

Joe Spicer, contact center services manager and a public policy advocate at Mississippi Industries for the Blind, has built a career doing just that. Drawing on his background in banking and his personal journey with retinitis pigmentosa, Joe manages a call center designed to employ, train, and empower blind professionals. He's seen firsthand how meaningful work boosts confidence, builds skills, and opens doors. Now, as an Advocate for Leadership and Employment, Joe's voice is helping shape national conversations on employment equity — from pushing for Social Security Disability Insurance reform to championing a 1% Department of Defense utilization goal for agencies employing people who are blind.

In this episode, Joe shares how inclusive employment creates real change, why representation in advocacy matters, and what it takes to build a more accessible future for all.