Sharon Giovinazzo

Sharon Giovinazzo, Member

Sharon Giovinazzo is chief executive officer of LightHouse for the Blind in San Francisco, California, an NIB associated agency that provides comprehensive training, education and advocacy for the community. The LightHouse provides a line of cobranded eco-friendly cleaning products to provide employment for people who are blind or low vision.

Prior to joining the LightHouse, Ms. Giovanazzo was president and chief executive officer of World Services for the Blind. She served for nearly a decade in various roles for the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind (RLCB), where she assisted in the development and implementation of the agency’s $34 million budget, including determining staffing and operational needs and expenditures.

Earlier, Ms. Giovinazzo was a legislative affairs specialist at NIB, where she cultivated an understanding of the AbilityOne Program with Congress, federal executive branch agencies, and consumer and commercial organizations concerned with disability policy. Prior to NIB, she held positions with the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Utica, was appointed chair to the State Rehabilitation Council in 2006, and supervised the operations of a DEPMEDS training facility with the United States Army.

Ms. Giovinazzo holds a bachelor’s degree in human services management from the State University of New York Empire State College and dual master’s degrees in social work and business administration. Additionally, she holds a Certificate of Management in Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She has received numerous awards from VisionServe Alliance, the American Legion, and various other organizations.