Nonprofits/Philanthropy: KEVIN A. LYNCH
PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND, ALEXANDRIA
Published
During his four-decade career working closely with people who are blind, Lynch says he’s observed firsthand the unlimited capabilities of this largely untapped workforce.
“Without a doubt, there is nothing that people who are blind can’t do,” says Lynch, who has led the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind since 2008.
National Industries for the Blind was founded in 1938. Along with its network of nearly 100 associated nonprofit agencies, NIB employed 4,713 people who are blind and created 276 job opportunities in 2021. The nonprofit reported $43.4 million in revenue, gains and other support last year.
This year, NIB celebrates a decade-old program that trains participants how to advocate for the blind community at home and on Capitol Hill, and recently five people graduated from the first Cisco Academy to be adapted to the learning styles of people who are blind.
Lynch joined NIB in 1994. He serves as board treasurer for the New York State Preferred Source Program for New Yorkers who are Blind and holds an MBA from Syracuse University.
