Maura J. Sweeney Elected New Board Member of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind

May 9, 2025 — New York, NY — The Lavelle Fund for the Blind has announced the appointment of Maura J. Sweeney to its Board of Directors. Ms. Sweeney has spent the majority of her career in leadership roles in the wider health care field and is currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Lighthouse Guild, a major vision service agency headquartered in NYC. Throughout her career she has worked in both direct service and leadership roles, supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired as well as those with developmental disabilities or complex medical needs, and she brings extensive clinical, financial and operational experience in rehabilitation, healthcare and education.

Ms. Sweeney’s involvement in the field of vision loss extends beyond her work at Lighthouse Guild. She is also currently a Governor and State Legislature-appointed member of the New York State Commission for the Blind Executive Board, the President of New York Vision Rehabilitation Association, and a Member of New York State Commission for the Blind Statewide Rehabilitation Council.

Ms. Sweeney earned an M.P.A. in Health Policy and Management from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from Boston College.

“We are very much looking forward to Maura’s participation on the Lavelle Fund Board of Directors. She has an impressive background in the vision loss field, and her experience and insights will serve the Fund well,” said Susan Olivo, the Fund’s Executive Director and CEO. “Her passion and enthusiasm for the field will enhance the Fund’s work as we continue our mission of serving those who are blind or visually impaired, both here and abroad.”

The Lavelle Fund for the Blind supports programs that help people who are blind or visually impaired lead independent, productive lives, together with eye care programs working to prevent and treat vision loss globally.