Sights for Hope Honors Michael Wambaugh for His Retirement and 17 Years of Support

Sights for Hope honored former Board President Michael Wambaugh Monday for his recent retirement and 17 years of support for the organization.

Board President Kate Raymond presented a plaque to Wambaugh at the start of the board’s January meeting.

Wambaugh, who retired from Sights for Hope’s board in November, was introduced to the organization in 2005 when his first wife, Joyce, became a client. After Joyce passed away in 2015, he joined the board to honor her. Since that time, Wambaugh has been one of Sights for Hope’s most prolific donors with his current wife, Mila.

Wambaugh became Sights for Hope’s Board President in July 2021. During his tenure, the organization increased its investment in its personnel, expanded its relationship with the affiliated Sights for Hope Endowment Foundation, and implemented a new comprehensive set of operations policies and procedures. Sights for Hope also adopted a strategic plan for 2022-2025 and established four Big Impact Goals to achieve from 2022 to 2030.

“Michael Wambaugh’s journey with Sights for Hope over nearly two decades embodies a dedication toward service and the transformation of lives to which we strive every day,” said Dennis Zehner, Sights for Hope’s Executive Director and CEO. “His ability to lead with insight, integrity, and perspective gave momentum to our efforts to become a model service organization for people who live with visual impairments. We wish him wonderful health and happiness in his retirement with hearty gratitude.”

Raymond, a Corporate Communication Specialist for PPL Corporation, succeeded Wambaugh as Board President upon his retirement and will fulfill the remainder of his term, which ends on June 30. She has been a member of the board since May 2019. She served as Board Vice President from July 2021 to November 2022 and as Board Secretary from September 2020 to June 2021. Prior to her work with PPL, Raymond was a Director of Marketing and Public Relations for St. Luke’s University Health Network. A graduate of Northampton Area High School, Raymond holds a master’s degree in American Studies from Lehigh University and a degree in Marketing and Public Relations from Susquehanna University.

Paul Miller was elected to fulfill the remainder of Raymond’s term as Board Vice President, which ends on June 30. Miller, who identifies as completely blind due to progressive retinal disease and has dealt with visual impairments for most of his adult life, is President and CEO of Active Learning Centers and Lehigh Valley Martial Arts. Miller has practiced martial arts for more than 45 years, is a fifth-degree black belt in karate, and has trained more than 1,000 black belts. His businesses operate in six locations and have more than 150 employees.

The Sights for Hope Board of Directors represents the American people as stewards of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It holds fiduciary responsibility and provides strategic direction to ensure fulfillment of its mission and vision.

Image: Plaque presentation to former Sights for Hope Board President Michael Wambaugh by Board President Kate Raymond