NIB launched the Advocates for Leadership and Employment program in 2012 to help people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired represent their communities to their elected officials. Each spring, NIB’s public policy team welcomes a new class of Advocates from NIB associated agencies across the country who take part in a two-year training initiative designed to grow their advocacy skills.
Advocacy makes legislators aware of the needs of their constituents, including people who are blind, and nobody is better equipped to tell the NIB story than the people who live that experience.
Through the program, Advocates learn more about the public policy process, including effective communication and advocacy strategies, as well as about current grassroots initiatives. They participate in ongoing training courses and receive weekly updates from NIB staff on current advocacy efforts.
The annual NIB/NAEPB Public Policy Forum brings all of the Advocate classes together for updated training and presents speakers and panels on the current topics facing our community. The forum concludes with a day on Capitol Hill, where the Advocates meet with legislators from their individual states and home districts. During these meetings, Advocates share their own experiences and encourage their elected officials to support the mission of NIB and its associated agencies: increasing employment opportunities for people who are blind.
Meet NIB’s 2025 class of Advocates
Scott Aukerman
Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind
Wichita Falls, Texas
Jeffery “Scott” Aukerman was born in Arlington, Texas. The son of a U.S. sailor and a working mom, Scott was devoted to his late brother. He went to college for commercial art but wound up pursuing other interests. Scott worked in manufacturing for 10 years, then became a truck driver and a business owner. He joined Beacon Lighthouse four years ago, where he is the plant manager.
Mulbah Foley Dwanah
Lions Services
Charlotte, North Carolina
Mulbah Foley Dwanah has two master’s degrees, one in chemistry and one in business administration, both from Montclair State University. Originally from Liberia, he currently lives in Charlotte, NC, and works as a machinist for Lions Services. Mulbah lived in New Jersey for more than 22 years and worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a quality expert. He is the father of five wonderful grown children and three awesome grandchildren.
Alfonso Harrell
Bestwork Industries for the Blind
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Alfonso Harrell is a passionate advocate for inclusion and accessibility, working to connect people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired with meaningful employment at Bestwork Industries for the Blind. His work involves outreach, recruitment, and building strong community partnerships. Alfonso is motivated by the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and to help break down barriers to employment. Through the Advocates program, he’s excited to learn new strategies to amplify impact, strengthen outreach efforts, and grow as a leader.
Andy Hoffman
Envision Dallas
Farmers Branch, Texas
With 13 years of experience in contact center operations, Andy Hoffman specializes in customer service. He currently oversees the day-to-day activities of 22 employees. Andy’s extensive background in contact centers has given him a solid understanding of key performance indicators, quality assurance, and the unique challenges faced by people who are blind and visually impaired. He is dedicated to fostering personal growth and creating opportunities for advancement, both within Envision and across the entire workforce. Andy believes continuous learning is essential for professional development, and looks forward to collaborative opportunities that support and advocate for the community.
Noemi Roque-Keen
Central Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Utica, New York
Noemi Roque-Keen, originally from Rochester, NY, but now living in Syracuse, works at the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a bilingual contact center representative, speaking Spanish and Portuguese. In this role, she registers carriers for their safety audit for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Noemi has two children and two grandchildren. She works alongside her guide dog, a yellow lab, and takes her role as an advocate very seriously.
Hannah Kinsey
NewView Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Hannah Kinsey is a passionate advocate for accessibility and equal opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision. Born blind and raised in Oklahoma City, she learned the importance of self-advocacy early in life. This drive led her to pursue a career in accessibility, advocacy, and public policy. She began her work at NewView Oklahoma by testing websites for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and has since transitioned to a role focused on advocacy and public policy. Outside of her professional work, Hannah enjoys coffee, music, and spending time with her Airedale terrier, Dolly.
Veronica Martinez
Valley Center for the Blind
Fresno, California
Veronica Martinez has been a braille instructor at Valley Center or the Blind for two years. In addition to teaching her community, her passion lies in advocating for them. An experienced advocate for disability rights, she spent years championing inclusive policies on Capitol Hill. In 2017, Veronica championed the Marrakesh Treaty and supported its passage into U.S. law. She worked to eliminate subminimum wages for people with disabilities. With a focus on equity, accessibility, and human rights, she raises awareness and drives change through collaboration, public speaking,
and lawmaker engagement.
Wilfredo Martinez
Bestwork Industries for the Blind
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Wilfredo Martinez joined Bestwork Industries for the Blind in 1998 as a sewing machine operator, producing textiles for the Department of Defense. He is fondly referred to as “Bestwork’s Swiss army knife,” as he’s worked on every machine in the organization and takes great pride in every product that comes off his line. Wilfredo has built incredible relationships with his coworkers, providing insight, guidance, and support when needed. He also helps people experiencing vision loss outside of the organization. Born with retinitis pigmentosa, he aspires to share his experiences with more people as a public speaker.
Christine McDonald
Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
A dynamic leader and passionate policy advocate, Christine McDonald has championed justice and equity since 2004. A survivor of two decades of sex trafficking, she now influences policy on behalf of other survivors. Totally blind, she uses lived experience to drive change. Christine has been featured in numerous media outlets and the award- winning film “I Will Rise.” She has been a public policy advocate at Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis since 2021. A respected speaker and author of two books, she serves on multiple boards and committees.
Jennifer Parrish
The Lighthouse of Houston
Houston, Texas
Jennifer Parrish is the manager of business services at the Lighthouse of Houston (LOH). Her main responsibilities include oversight of seven contracts employing people who are blind or low vision, with approximately 40 employees. She also hosts a podcast for LOH called “Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential.” Prior to taking on her current role, she held a position at LOH as a medical transcriptionist for over 20 years and was the first person who is blind in the United States to be nationally certified. Her hobbies include singing in the Lighthouse of Houston choir, and she is a huge sports fan.
Tim Runstrom
VisionCorps
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Tim Runstrom was born with a rare eye condition called aniridia, a complete or partial absence of the iris. He is a father of two and works as the marketing and communications coordinator for VisionCorps. He believes in the importance of independence for members of the blind, low vision, and visually impaired community, as well as advocating for a better tomorrow.