American Foundation for the Blind's Board of Trustees

A collage featuring board of trustees members at various AFB events.

The Board of Trustees has the skills and dedication to support AFB’s Mission through fiscal oversight, strategic development, and advocacy to ensure AFB’s enduring legacy.

All Trustees serve on at least one Board committee. Committees meet quarterly and report to the Board at each full Board meeting. The Board meets five times each fiscal year.

Executive Committee

Chair: Sarah Herrlinger

Staff Liaison: Eric Bridges

Purpose: The Executive Committee performs work on behalf of the Board and acts as liaison to the chief executive. Its main purpose is to facilitate decision-making between Board meetings or in a crisis. The committee is defined in the Bylaws Section 4.1: Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is accountable to the full Board.

Standing Committees

Audit Committee

Chair: James Hands

Staff Liaison: Patsy Carvache

Purpose: This committee selects an independent auditor and serves as a link between the auditor and the Board. It ensures that the auditor has full access to financial and related records, reviews the auditor’s report and submits it to the Board, and arranges for the full Board to meet with the auditor.

Board Governance Committee

Chair: Jamie Dean

Staff Liaison: Judy Szabo

Purpose: This committee focuses on maintaining healthy governance practices and building and equipping a Board that supports AFB in achieving its mission and strategic goals by engaging Board members in a robust recruitment and onboarding process, providing ongoing education, facilitating an inclusive and engaged culture, and formally assessing the Board’s performance.

Finance and Investment Committee

Chair: Jonathan Chesshire

Staff Liaison: Patsy Carvache

Purpose: This committee supports the Board’s responsibility for oversight of the organization’s fiscal health. It recommends policies to the full Board to safeguard the nonprofit’s assets, ensures the completeness and accuracy of its financial records, and oversees proper use of resources.

Resource Development Committee

Chair: Melissa Weisse

Staff Liaison: Pam McGonigle

Purpose: This committee provides input and insight into the organization’s fundraising strategy and engages Board members in their individual and collective fundraising roles.

Advisory Committees

Programs Advisory Committee

Chair: Katie Frederick

Staff Liaison: Bethany Johnson

Purpose: The purpose of the Programs Advisory Committee is to amplify the impact of AFB Programs and initiatives in the focus areas of employment, aging and education. Issues of interest may also encompass critical topics such as transportation and technology and their impact on the three focus areas.

Public Policy & Research Advisory Committee

Chair: Dan Kelly

Staff Liaison: Stephanie Enyart

Purpose: The Public Policy and Research Advisory Committee is composed of carefully selected individuals whose knowledge and skills augment that of AFB’s staff and governing Board for the purpose of providing ideas and advice that amplify AFB’s public policy and research agenda.

Fiscal Year 2027

  • Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 2, 2026: via Zoom
  • Annual Meeting: Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Louisville, KY
  • Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 27, 2027: via Zoom
  • Board Retreat: Wednesday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6, 2027: New York City
  • Board Meeting: Wednesday, June 23, 2027: via Zoom

For more information about AFB’s Board of Trustees, please contact trustees@afb.org.