Jen Smith, Foundation Board President

Jen Smith has 20 years of experience leading and managing traditional, digital, and emerging technology projects for nonprofit, government, and for-profit organizations. She’s passionate about accessibility and has been working on making digital spaces more inclusive since 2007. Before becoming the Director of Accessibility for Strategic Initiatives in Visa’s Design organization, she served as a Principal Program Manager of Accessibility at Microsoft and a Senior Accessibility Subject Matter Expert at JP Morgan Chase. She’s also served as a subject matter expert and strategist while a contractor at the Centers for Disease Control. She started her career as an on-air newscaster with an NPR affiliate station in Oklahoma City after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in broadcast journalism. Since that time, she has definitely taken roads less traveled and moved around the country, living in three of the four continental U.S. time zones.

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Photo of Jen Smith, a light-skinned woman with glasses, standing outside in front of a waterfall
  • A portrait of Brad Wiens, a light skinned, grey haired man wearing a grey suit.

    Thank You to Our Donors

    June 15th, 2021

    We are incredibly thankful to our generous donors and community members for making a difference in the lives of people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities every day.

  • A medium portrait of Katy Beck, a light skinned, blonde haired woman. She is smiling and wearing a large purple necklace and purple blazer.

    Katherine Beck, 25 Years of Service | 1996 to 2021

    June 15th, 2021

    We thank Katy for her commitment to the Lighthouse and its mission. During her 25 years of service on our Board of Trustees, Katy was involved with the initial opening of the Base Supply Center business, participated in the expansion process to our Spokane and South Carolina locations, played a part in hiring the Organization’s first CEO who is blind (Kirk Adams) and was instrumental in the recruitment and hiring of our current President and CEO, Cindy Watson.

  • Close up portrait of Barbara Ross, a light skinned woman with grey hair. She is standing outside, smiling, wearing red lipstick and a scarf.

    Barbara Ross, Foundation Board President | 2015 to 2021

    June 15th, 2021

    It is with hope and confidence that I will be passing the torch of Foundation Board presidency to longtime friend of the Lighthouse, Brad Wiens. I will be remaining on the board, and I am excited to see the fabulous work we have started continue to flourish under Brad’s leadership.