Adult Advisory Board

Sam is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with degrees in English and Law living in Pittsburgh, PA. While in university, Sam worked in a program to assist disabled youth to transition into postsecondary education. She worked as a lawyer in the Canadian criminal court system for 15 years in small cities and isolated rural areas of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, working largely with marginalized groups to put communities back together.  Currently she teaches blind individuals the assistive technology skills that they will need to assist them to achieve their employment and educational goals. Training frequently crosses over into teaching advocacy and life skills.

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Talea Anderson is the Digital Collections Librarian at Washington State University. She holds master's degrees in history and information science. In 2022-2025, she accepted a Mellon Fellowship for Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Heritage with Rare Book School. Her focus for the fellowship was the creation of an accessible exhibit for display at the Washington State School for the Blind. "War of the Dots" utilized historical examples of tactile print to engage students in the history of blind literacy. 

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Moe is a mom of four and passionate about building a life full of love, learning, and community. As an active member of ACB Next Generation and a YNAB Certified Spendfulness Coach, she is dedicated to empowering others through financial confidence and connection. She's currently creating Inclusive Visionary Parents, a chapter of ACB Families supporting blind parents and parents of blind children, to foster a space where every family feels seen, heard, and supported.

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Stacy Cervenka is the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. She previously served as the Senior Director of Policy for RespectAbility, the Director of Public Policy for the American Foundation for the Blind, a Government Program Analyst for the California Department of Rehabilitation, and a Legislative Assistant for US Senator Sam Brownback. Stacy divides her time between Des Moines, Iowa and Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lives with her husband Greg, who is also blind, and their two sighted children Leo and Josephine. Her middle grade novel, Roxie In Color, co-authored with former Parents Magazine Deputy Editor Diane Debrovner, will be published by Candlewick Press in June 2026.

Ness is a bilingual, DeafBlind Anthropology student with a focus on Sustainability at Arizona State University. She is active in humanitarian work as the Chapter President of YouthMappers at A.S.U as well as a Communications Officer for Amnesty International Arizona. She is the Vice President of The Philosopher’s Guild, a student organization with the aim of reuniting philosophical principles with hard sciences. Within her community, she is a mentor who assists her peers with enhancing their professional skills through resume building, writing cover letters, assisting with taxes, and the development of technological skills. With the proper resources and supports, she believes anyone can achieve their version of success.

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Victoria Hillard has 21 years of personal experience navigating the world as a totally blind individual and has turned her journey into a catalyst for systemic change and individual empowerment. Victoria founded Blind Professionals Network (BPN), where she currently serves as Executive Director. Her commitment to career advancement is further reflected in her role as the Manager of Education and Training at the Lighthouse of Houston, a position she has held since 2023. In this capacity, she oversees comprehensive training programs, employment services, and pre-transition services for both youth and adults, ensuring they have the tools necessary for independence and professional success.

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Bennett is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater currently studying Cybersecurity. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 2026 with high honors and is a member of the National Honor Society. Bennett has served on several advocacy projects including an auditory tour board for the Milwaukee Public Museum, The Step Nav co-design program with Olin College of Engineering, and student round tables through Bookshare. Through his work, Bennett hopes to lower barriers to access for blind and visually impaired people, and allow them to achieve equity with their sighted peers.

Kim is a graduate student in Orientation & Mobility (O&M) at North Carolina Central University and the founder of Learn Grow Evolve, a nonprofit focused on connecting individuals and families affected by vision loss with resources, technology, and sensory-based activities. After experiencing significant vision loss later in life, she became passionate about advocacy, accessibility, and helping others, regain confidence, independence, and community engagement. Her professional background includes more than 30 years in the legal and healthcare compliance fields, where she developed strong skills in leadership, communication, and service. Through both her personal and professional experiences, she strives to promote inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful opportunities for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

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Sydney is a lover of audiobooks, enjoys Creative Writing, and is a service dog enthusiast. She has a passion for person centered programming and enjoys brainstorming ways to adapt activities geared toward meeting individual's interests and needs. She has an undergraduate degree in the social sciences and she minored in both criminal justice and therapeutic recreation. She has been legally blind since birth. Her long-term career goal is to become a children’s librarian where she would like to focus on creating inclusive programs that emphasize accessible reading options.