Our Team

Our amazing VIPS team is the backbone of our mission.

Leadership Team

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Diane M. Nelson

Executive Director

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Kathy Mullen

Director of Education

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Christina Welsh

Director of Finance

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Justine Aycock, CFRE

Director of Development

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Kelly Easton

Kentucky Director of Community Outreach & Intake

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Sheila Klopfenstein

Indiana Education Lead | Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Paige Maynard

Kentucky Education Lead | Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Education Team

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Kim Berghoff

Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Julia Bechtloff

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Jesi Bentley

Classroom Assistant

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Ashley Campbell

Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Trisha Conklin

Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

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Erin Crews

Occupational Therapist

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Kristan Decker

Assistant Preschool Director | Twos Lead Teacher

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Rebekah Dunda

Classroom Assistant

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Ashley Emmons

Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

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Michelle Flora

Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Debbie Hardesty

Classroom Assistant

Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

IECE Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Lesley Lusher

Developmental Interventionist

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Staci Maynard

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Tammy Maynard

Developmental Interventionist

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Juanita Miles

Preschool Director | Developmental Interventionist

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Destiny O'Neil

Classroom Assistant

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Brenda Pharris

Classroom Assistant

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Elaine Reed

Provisional Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Kimberly Roskopf

Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Joni Santiago

Classroom Assistant

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David Sterne

Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Cultural Quality Assurance Coordinator

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Cheryl Vincent-Wallace

Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

Dawn VanBlarcum

Dawn VanBlarcum

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Malinda Vogel

Classroom Assistant Substitute

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Toni Wales

Classroom Assistant Substitute

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Tracy Webb

Classroom Assistant Substitute

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Lauren Wells

Classroom Assistant

Administrative Team

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Jenny Castenir

Family Services Coordinator

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Carol Dahmke

HR Manager | IT Coordinator

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Rita DeVore

Special Projects & Volunteer Coordinator

Rebecca Osley

Rebecca Osley

Development Coordinator

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Kirsten Schmidt

Guest Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

David Sharpe

David Sharpe

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

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Mary Smyth

Grants Specialist

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Emily Thornton

Data Coordinator

A Note from the Executive Director

VIPS believes the families we serve deserve to be taught by the highest level educators in the field of low vision and blindness to help each child reach their highest potential. VIPS is nationally recognized because we strive to attract only highly certified, compassionate, skilled team members who are focused on continuous improvement and industry advancements. I am so very proud to introduce our amazing teachers, classroom assistants, and the critically important administrative team that helps make our services possible.

Diane Nelson

Executive Director