President and CEO Cindy Watson
Cindy Watson is a driven and passionate executive and she’s the new President and CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
This Tennessee native, and our first female President and CEO at the Lighthouse, moved to Texas around the age of nine; during the same time that she was diagnosed with Juvenile Macular Degeneration. Cindy recalls her childhood, “I knew I had a vision problem, but I just kept going.” Ms. Watson used large print books through school and in high school had a CCTV (closed circuit television). She says her greatest help during that time was leveraging these technologies and other supports like family and friends through school to succeed.
Cindy’s eye condition began worsening in college. She received her bachelor’s from the University of Houston in special education with a minor in art history.
Out of college, Cindy felt a strong need to give back to the blind community. She wanted to encourage others who are blind to pursue their goals and to believe that they could be and do whatever it was they wanted. Ms. Watson applied and received a job with the Texas Commission for the Blind, working for over eight years as a Rehabilitation Teacher, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and finally an Employment Assistance Specialist. But she knew she wanted more. Cindy went back to the University of Houston and earned her MBA in Business Administration.
As she neared graduation, Cindy was keenly aware that her peers were being recruited for jobs and making plans; she was not.
Fortunately, Cindy learned of the Business Leaders Program through National Industries for the Blind (NIB). This program provides applicable and experiential opportunities to people who are blind and seeking leadership roles in their employment journey. Broken into several tracks, Cindy was accepted into the Fellowship for Leadership Development. This two-year program introduced her to the AbilityOne Program, as well as being assigned to three NIB-affiliated agencies in a paid internship. She spent eight months with each: the South Texas Lighthouse in Corpus Christi, the NIB headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and The Blind Center of Nevada in Las Vegas.
“My dream would be that one day there wouldn’t be the need for the Lighthouse because every employer would be willing to break down barriers and provide opportunities to people who are blind and DeafBlind.”
Cindy Watson, President and CEO
At the end of the program, unlike when she completed her MBA, she was greeted with many choices for her career. Cindy decided to head back home to Houston where she accepted a position with Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
During this time, Cindy was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), leading her to serve as Director of the AFB Center on Vision Loss and Web Programs in Dallas. Then it was on to Vice President of Services at Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind.
After serving as Senior Vice President for one year, Cindy has been named the Lighthouse’s first female President and CEO. She is excited for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others who are blind.
When asked, after contemplating her journey if she’s arrived, in reference to her new position with the Lighthouse, Cindy said emphatically, “Absolutely!”
When not at work, Cindy loves spending time with her family. Although they especially love water activities, the family spends much time with Cub Scouts, and playing baseball and basketball. And they’re finally settled into schools, and their new community in the Pacific Northwest.
Throughout her adult life, Cindy has had quite a journey of educational accomplishments and employment experiences. It has been a path of many opportunities while growing and nurturing a family, and it has all led her here, to the Lighthouse.
