(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO – Prevent Blindness has announced the appointment of Kira Baldonado as vice president of public health and policy, effective immediately. In this new position, she will oversee the development and implementation of the organization’s public health and policy agenda, working closely with affiliate offices and partner organizations across the country. Baldonado will take over many of these responsibilities from Jeff Todd, who has been appointed as the Prevent Blindness president and CEO.
Baldonado was previously the director of the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness since its founding in 2011. Part of her responsibilities included coordinating the strategic and programmatic efforts of the NCCVEH, including the work of the National Expert Panel, the Advisory Committee, program initiatives and federal agency relationships. In that role, she was responsible for providing direction and leadership to early detection efforts and other essential public health interventions related to children’s vision and eye health systems in the U.S.
Prior to directing the NCCVEH, Baldonado worked at the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness for eight years as director of marketing and community services, where she launched the “Ohio Aging Eye Public Private Partnership,” bringing together diverse stakeholders to address the growth of age-related eye diseases in the state through education, early detection and treatment, and promotion of research to find cures. Prior to Prevent Blindness, Baldonado directed character development programs for minority youth with the Heart of Ohio Council, Boy Scouts of America in Ashland, OH, and she managed more than 50 career immersion programs for high school students with the Anthony Wayne Area Council, Boy Scouts of America in Fort Wayne, IN.
“The contributions that Kira Baldonado has made to our organization, and the impact that her work continues to have on improving the vision health of all Americans, are simply outstanding,” said Todd. “As her role and responsibilities expand, we know that she will be an integral part of the future success of our organization.”
Baldonado graduated cum laude from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH, and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. She is also a certified Children’s Vision Screening Instructor for Prevent Blindness.
For more information on Prevent Blindness or its sight-saving programs, visit www.PreventBlindness.org or call (800) 331-2020.