Diane Nelson Awarded Excellence in Leadership Award from VisionServe Alliance
We are excited to share that Diane Nelson, our Executive Director, is being honored by VisionServe Alliance with the 2026 Excellence in Leadership Award.
“Diane has applied her leadership skills and business knowledge to the day-to-day functions of VIPS as well as to plan for our sustainability far into the future,” said Kathy Mullen, Director of Education at VIPS. “She recognizes her strengths and the gifts those around her can offer for the continued growth of VIPS. It has been an honor to work alongside Diane for the past 14 years.”
“I am beyond humbled to join the ranks of past honorees. For me, this work is all about the children and families we serve, and everything we do is to shine a spotlight on them,” said Diane Nelson. Diane added, “I am forever grateful to VisionServe Alliance and its member organizations. VIPS has benefited greatly because of the collective leadership and the dedication to those who are blind or have low vision.”
Thank you, Diane, for all you do for our VIPS families.
Here’s the announcement from VisionServe Alliance:
VisionServe Alliance is honored to recognize Diane Nelson, Executive Director of VIPS, for her unwavering commitment to enhancing learning opportunities by providing early intervention services to young children living with blindness or low vision and their families.
The Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes exemplary leadership demonstrated by an Executive Director, President, or CEO of a member organization. Award recipients are listed on a print and braille plaque in the Hall of Fame: Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field located at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky.
After a successful career in the private sector, in 2008 Diane Nelson joined VIPS (Vision Interventions and Parental Support), headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Under her leadership, VIPS has expanded operations into Indiana, has more than tripled its annual budget, and more than doubled the number of children and families served.
“Diane is a hands-on visionary,” said Lee Nasehi, President and CEO of VisionServe Alliance. “In addition to growing VIPS locally, she is also a strong and passionate voice nationally for blind and low vision children and their families. Her willingness to pitch in to get the job done coupled with her deep understanding of those VIPS supports make her an inspiring leader and advocate.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to Diane Nelson for her exemplary leadership and life-changing efforts on behalf of our field and the people we are proud to serve.
The Excellence in Leadership Awards will be commemorated during the Annual Awards Luncheon, hosted on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Envision and VisionServe Alliance 2026 Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
About VisionServe Alliance
VisionServe leads an alliance of more than 130 organizations that vastly improve the lives of people with blindness and low vision. VisionServe Alliance collaborates with leaders to enhance the health of the vision service field, addressing strategic issues, cultivating leadership, enhancing management systems, sharing best practices, increasing capacity-building and sustainability, informing public policy, and maximizing awareness of life-changing vision rehabilitation training. For more information, visit VisionServeAlliance.org.
About VisionServe Alliance Annual Awards and Annual Conference
VisionServe Alliance bestows its Annual Awards on leaders and innovators in the BVI field. Leaders receive Annual Awards in several categories at our annual conference.
VisionServe Alliance press inquiries may be directed to SDraddy@VisionServeAlliance.org.