About Us
VRATE Board of Directors, comprised of stakeholders/professionals in the blindness and DeafBlind communities including community members, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and commercial companies working together to plan and execute the annual VRATE Conference.
Board Members
- Chair: Lily Bogan (Community Member)
- Vice Chair: Christine Tuttle (Arizona Talking Book Library, Outreach & Community Engagement Librarian)
- Secretary: David Steinmetz (Arizona Industries for the Blind, Public Relations Manager)
- Treasurer: Eddie Richardson (Lions Foundation of Arizona)
- Chair Accessibility/Accommodations Committee: Catherine Sienko (DES/RSA)
- Chair Exhibitor Committee: Christine Tuttle Christine Tuttle (Arizona Talking Book Library, Outreach & Community Engagement Librarian)
- Chair Public Information Committee: David Steinmetz (Arizona Industries for the Blind, Public Relations Manager)
- Chair Speakers’ Committee: Dan Martinez (Community Member)
- Chair Sponsorship Committee: Tom Simmons (Community Member)
- Chair Volunteer Committee: Lindsey McHugh (Community Member)
- Chair Venue Committee: Lily Bogan (Community Member)
- Board Members:
- Cindy Garfio (Community Member)
- Danielle Cummings (AER President)
- Megan Duwyenie (Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Employment Specialist)
- Niraj Parikh (Foundation for Blind Children, CATT Program Coordinator)
- Rachel Kuntz (Saavi Services for the Blind, Fundraising Manager)
Honorary Board Members
- Dr. Carlos Grandela (ViewFinder Low Vision Center)
- Jordan Moon (SAAVI Services for the Blind, Site Manager)
- Mares J Wright (Sun Sounds AZ)